Smart breath test to detect cystic fibrosis flare-ups in kids with a smartphone app
Official title: SCH: Smart Breath- based Diagnosis of Pulmonary Exacerbations in Children with Cystic Fibrosis through Machine Learning: Towards Noninvasive Health Monitoring in Real-Time
Funded at Indiana University Indianapolis · NIH-11416575 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A hand-held, real-time breath test using a smartphone app and a tiny sensor aims to spot worsening lung problems early in children with cystic fibrosis.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Indiana University Indianapolis NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Indianapolis, United States) |
| Project start | September 9, 2024 |
| Project end | May 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $284,311 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL177812-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11416575 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Children aged 0-11 years with cystic fibrosis and caregivers who can use a smartphone app.
✕Less likely to help
Children without access to smartphones or without CF-related lung issues may not benefit from this tool.
What this research studies
This project seeks to create a user-friendly, noninvasive tool that measures breath biomarkers to identify impending pulmonary exacerbations in children with CF. By combining machine learning to interpret breath signals, a nanosensor array to detect volatile biomarkers, and a smartphone app for at-home or clinic use, the approach aims to provide timely guidance on treatment. The work unfolds in three aims: develop a breath-based biosignature with ML, build and test the sensor array, and deliver a patient-friendly app for real-time monitoring. If successful, families and clinicians could use the tool to reduce misdiagnosis and overtreatment, potentially improving quality of life and outcomes for kids with CF.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, families could monitor and detect early PEx at home, enabling timely treatment and potentially better long-term health for children with CF.
How similar studies have gone: Similar breath-based approaches show promise, but a practical, at-home pediatric tool remains in development.
Where this research is happening
-
Indiana University Indianapolis
Indianapolis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Agarwal, Mangilal — Indiana University Indianapolis
- Study coordinator: Agarwal, Mangilal
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.