By: Dr. Avi Verma

A groundbreaking diagnostic tool utilizing artificial intelligence is poised to transform the detection of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in the United Kingdom. Starting April 14th, general practitioner (GP) surgeries across England will begin rolling out the innovative N-Tidal Diagnose system, offering a significantly faster and potentially more accurate way to identify this prevalent lung condition. Plans for wider UK adoption are expected to follow shortly.

Developed by TidalSense, the N-Tidal Diagnose device employs advanced carbon dioxide sensors and sophisticated AI algorithms to analyze a patient’s natural breathing patterns. Unlike the current standard, spirometry, which requires patients to forcefully exhale into a device and can take 30 to 90 minutes for an appointment, N-Tidal Diagnose delivers results within a mere five minutes by measuring carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration during normal breaths. Medical professionals are hailing this efficiency and ease of use as a major advancement in respiratory diagnostics.

COPD encompasses a range of debilitating lung conditions, including emphysema and chronic bronchitis, leading to substantial breathing difficulties. The N-Tidal Diagnose device has already secured regulatory clearance and CE-marking under EU Medical Device Regulations for COPD diagnosis, signifying its safety and efficacy. TidalSense is also actively exploring the application of this technology for the diagnosis of asthma, suggesting a broader potential for AI in respiratory healthcare.

Dr. Ameera Patel, CEO of TidalSense, emphasized the long-standing lag in respiratory diagnostics compared to other medical fields. She stated that N-Tidal Diagnose represents a significant breakthrough, addressing the needs of both patients and the healthcare system by enabling scalable deployment across the National Health Service (NHS). The company’s vision is to make respiratory diagnosis rapid, precise, and readily accessible at the point of patient presentation.
Estimates suggest that around 1.2 million individuals in the UK currently live with COPD, with potentially another two million undiagnosed cases. Dr. Patel believes that the N-Tidal test could be instrumental in helping the UK government achieve its goals of reducing NHS waiting times and optimizing staff efficiency. The device’s speed and accuracy could significantly alleviate diagnostic bottlenecks, improve patient experience, and ultimately enhance the standard of care for millions affected by COPD.

Dr. Simon Rudland, a GP in Suffolk, described the N-Tidal test as “game-changing,” highlighting that COPD is frequently underdiagnosed or misdiagnosed due to the limitations of spirometry testing, which requires specialized practitioners and often leads to lengthy waiting lists. The ability to quickly and accurately assess a patient’s lung health with near-instant results is expected to revolutionize respiratory care in both primary and secondary healthcare settings. The successful rollout of N-Tidal Diagnose raises the prospect of AI-driven diagnostic tools becoming increasingly prevalent in the detection of other diseases in the future, potentially ushering in an era of faster, more accessible, and more precise medical diagnoses.