Self-sustained closed respiratory loop in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in real life—A perspective

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a major public health issue impacting healthcare worldwide. COPD leads to a constant decline in respiratory function and death. Oxygen therapy plays an important part in managing COPD; however, the available solutions often remain inadequate in adapting to patients’ fluctuating oxygen demands in the real world. We propose a conceptual approach based on closed-loop automated respiratory control (CLARC) that integrates a wearable oxygen delivery system designed to provide personalized and adaptive oxygen therapy. CLARC integrates printed biosensors, wearable electronics, and a miniaturized unitized reversible fuel cell (uRFC) to generate and regulate oxygen supply sustainably and in accordance with a patient’s real-world demand, such as during activity or rest. Further, this perspective discusses the full project development chain ranging from ideation to clinical testing to reach the aim of long-term home-care applications. CLARC is a transdisciplinary, evolved concept with the potential to reshape state-of-the-art COPD management.