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Wing helps those with asthma soar by catching early warning signs

Asthma inhalers are necessary items for those who suffer from that lung disease. But those medications can’t help users detect the early warning signs of an asthma attack.

Wing is a pocket-sized sensor that enables those who suffer from asthma and other lung ailments to monitor and manage their conditions, and also lets them know when an attack is coming, according to its Indiegogo campaign. The device can also be used by those suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, chronic bronchitis, emphysema, cystic fibrosis, pulmonary fibrosis and other respiratory conditions, its maker says. Wing is made up of a small white device that the user breathes into.

The product gets connected to a mobile device and an app that helps it measure how much air the user can blow out in one second and how fast the user can blow out air with medical-grade accuracy, according to the campaign. Wing costs $150, but early bird backers can get one now at $89, before it ships in August. Its makers hope to raise $50,000 by Nov. 21.

Many asthma sufferers will find the device appealing -– if it indeed works as promised. Another benefit is that it can inform users if their medications are working effectively. One minor negative for now is that it only works with iPhone 5 and newer devices running on iOS 8 or later versions of Apple’s operating system, although its makers are also developing an Android app. Wing is similar in concept to last year’s SandPiper. It is also still going through the FDA clearance process. FDA approval would probably make potential customers more comfortable with their purchase.

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