BreatheLight

Globally, Sleep Disordered Breathing (SDB), including conditions like obstructive sleep apnea and central hypopnea, affects approximately 1-5%(20~100 million) of children. These disorders can have severe long-term health consequences such as cardiovascular issues, impaired growth, and developmental delays. Despite these serious implications, SDB in children is often underdiagnosed and untreated. This is primarily due to the reliance on traditional diagnostic methods like polysomnography (PSG), which are expensive, resource-intensive, and require significant patient commitment. Such methods are often inaccessible to underserved populations, exacerbating health disparities.

The scale of this problem is considerable, particularly in low-resource settings where access to specialized pediatric care and advanced medical facilities is limited. Additionally, the economic burden of traditional sleep studies is substantial, placing a significant strain on families and healthcare systems, particularly in economically disadvantaged communities. As a result, many children suffer from the avoidable consequences of untreated SDB, including poor academic performance, behavioral issues, and heightened risk of chronic health problems.

"BreatheLight" aims to address these challenges by providing a sustainable, cost-effective, and non-invasive diagnostic tool that simplifies the screening process for pediatric SDB. This innovative solution utilizes photoplethysmography (PPG) signals, combined with deep learning algorithms, to detect SDB from simple, at-home tests. By analyzing time and frequency domain features from PPG signals, "BreatheLight" can accurately predict SDB events during sleep without the need for an overnight stay in a sleep lab.

This approach not only makes screening for sleep disorders more accessible but also significantly reduces the cost and complexity of diagnosis. "BreatheLight" is particularly beneficial for families in remote or underserved areas, where traditional healthcare services are out of reach. It also offers a scalable solution that can be integrated into various health systems, ensuring a broader impact.

By democratizing access to vital diagnostic tools, "BreatheLight" contributes to more equitable health systems. It ensures that all children, regardless of their socio-economic status or geographical location, have the opportunity to receive early and accurate diagnosis and treatment for sleep disorders. This aligns with the global health objectives of reducing inequalities in healthcare access and improving pediatric health outcomes through innovation.

With "BreatheLight," we envision a future where every child has the chance to achieve optimal health and well-being, free from the preventable burdens of untreated sleep disorders.

"BreatheLight" is designed to serve children globally, particularly focusing on those in underserved communities where access to healthcare and specialized pediatric care is limited. These children are often in rural, remote, or economically disadvantaged areas where traditional diagnostic facilities, such as those equipped for full-night polysomnography (PSG), are scarce or non-existent.

“Target Population”

The primary beneficiaries of "BreatheLight" are children who are at risk of or show symptoms of Sleep Disordered Breathing (SDB). This group includes those who may experience snoring, frequent awakenings, or daytime sleepiness, which are indicative of potential underlying sleep disorders. The tool is especially pertinent for children in low-resource settings or in communities where healthcare infrastructure is lacking. Such regions often have limited access to the specialized equipment and trained personnel required for traditional sleep studies.

Our team is uniquely equipped to deliver the "BreatheLight" solution due to our diverse expertise and deep commitment to healthcare innovation, especially within underserved communities. We are an international group of professionals, including medical doctors, engineers, scientists, and business developers from Taiwan, the US, and the UK, each bringing a wealth of experience and perspective to the project.

Interdisciplinary Expertise

Our medical doctors and scientists provide crucial clinical insights and validate the efficacy of "BreatheLight," ensuring it meets the highest standards of medical device performance and safety. Engineers in our team contribute cutting-edge technological solutions, optimizing "BreatheLight" for ease of use in diverse settings, from remote rural homes to urban clinics. Our business developers specialize in healthcare systems and are adept at navigating the complex landscapes of medical product distribution, ensuring that "BreatheLight" reaches those who need it most.

Focus on DEIA

A cornerstone of our team’s philosophy is our commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA). This commitment ensures that "BreatheLight" is not just a medical solution but a step towards more equitable healthcare systems. Our team’s work is guided by principles that prioritize inclusivity and accessibility, tailoring "BreatheLight" to serve diverse populations, particularly those who have historically been marginalized within healthcare systems.

Global Perspective and Local Insights

The international composition of our team enables us to bring a global perspective to local challenges. By understanding the specific health disparities and barriers in different regions, we can adapt "BreatheLight" to meet varied needs and ensure cultural appropriateness. Our team’s broad geographical footprint also facilitates collaborations with local health authorities and organizations, enhancing the deployment and acceptance of "BreatheLight" across different cultural contexts.

Community-Centric Approach

Our solution is developed not only for the communities but with them. We engage directly with the end-users—families, healthcare providers, and local leaders—to ensure that "BreatheLight" addresses the real-world challenges they face. This community-centric approach guarantees that our solution is not only scientifically sound and technologically advanced but also practical and desired by those it aims to help.

Long-Term Commitment

Finally, our team is not just building a product but fostering a movement towards more accessible pediatric healthcare. We are committed to ongoing research, development, and community engagement to continually enhance "BreatheLight" and ensure it evolves with the changing needs of global health.

In summary, our team’s diverse expertise, commitment to DEIA, and deep engagement with the communities ensure that we are exceptionally well-positioned to deliver "BreatheLight" effectively, making a significant impact on global pediatric health equity.

We selected the 'prototype' stage for our "BreatheLight" application because our solution is currently in an advanced phase of development and is undergoing clinical validation. Our system has been developed with input from a diverse team of experts and is now being tested in real-world settings to ensure its effectiveness and reliability.

Current Testing Phase

The prototype of "BreatheLight" is being trialed at a children's hospital in the United States. These clinical trials are critical as they allow us to test the system's performance in diagnosing Sleep Disordered Breathing (SDB) in a controlled, clinical environment. Our focus during these trials is on children with Down syndrome, a group particularly vulnerable to SDB and often significantly challenged by traditional diagnostic methods like overnight polysomnography.

Addressing Specific Needs

Children with Down syndrome are disproportionately affected by SDB, and the discomfort associated with traditional sleep studies can lead to significant distress and non-compliance. Our device offers a non-invasive, comfortable alternative that can be used in the home environment, reducing stress for these children and their families. The ongoing trials aim to validate the efficacy and user-friendliness of "BreatheLight," ensuring that it can provide accurate and reliable diagnostics without the invasiveness of traditional methods.

Reason for Selection

The decision to classify "BreatheLight" as at the prototype stage is based on our current phase of clinical trials. This stage is crucial for refining the device based on real-world data and feedback, addressing any technical or usability issues, and preparing for a wider deployment. It also allows us to gather necessary evidence to support regulatory approval processes and eventual market introduction.

By selecting the prototype stage, we acknowledge the progress made in developing a tangible, functional product, while also recognizing the need for further validation and refinement before full commercialization can occur. This stage reflects our commitment to creating a validated, clinically effective solution that meets the stringent needs of pediatric healthcare.

We are applying to Solve because we recognize its unique capacity to foster innovations that address global health challenges through collaboration and support across a network of tech and social entrepreneurs. While funding is valuable, our primary aim in joining the Solve community is to leverage the expertise, mentorship, and partnerships it offers to overcome specific barriers our "BreatheLight" project faces.

Market Access Barriers

Market access is a significant challenge, especially as we aim to reach underserved populations globally. Solve can connect us with potential partners, including healthcare organizations and NGOs, who can facilitate pilots and provide channels for broader deployment within target communities.

Regulatory and Legal Guidance

As we expand "BreatheLight" to new markets, navigating the complex landscape of medical device regulations becomes crucial. Solve’s community likely includes experts on legal and regulatory hurdles in various regions, which can help us ensure compliance and smooth the path to market entry in different countries.

Cultural Adaptation and Engagement

To ensure the success of "BreatheLight" across diverse global settings, it is imperative that the device is culturally adaptable. Solve’s ethos of community-driven innovation aligns with our goal to iteratively adapt our solution based on feedback from various cultural contexts. Access to Solve’s global network would enable us to engage directly with local stakeholders to customize "BreatheLight" to meet specific cultural needs and acceptance criteria.

Strategic Partnerships and Collaborations

Being part of the Solve community means connecting with organizations and individuals who are also committed to improving healthcare outcomes. These connections could lead to collaborations that might not only help refine our approach but also expand our impact by integrating with other health initiatives and technologies.

Visibility and Credibility

Participation in Solve would significantly enhance the visibility of "BreatheLight," attracting attention from media, investors, and potential partners. Being recognized as a Solver team adds credibility to our project, validating our efforts and attracting further support.

BreatheLight is changing the way pediatric sleep disorders are diagnosed by providing a cost convenient alternative, to traditional sleep studies. By using PPG technology and sophisticated deep learning algorithms BreatheLight examines breathing patterns through a comfortable finger sensor while children sleep at home. This eliminates the need for equipment overnight stays at sleep labs and the discomfort associated with methods.

This innovative approach focuses on helping children in underserved communities addressing health inequalities and promoting access, to healthcare. With more accurate diagnosis of sleep disorders BreatheLight has the potential to enhance childrens health outcomes significantly and contribute to a future where every child can achieve well being.

"BreatheLight" addresses these challenges by offering an accessible, non-invasive, and cost-effective diagnostic alternative. The solution involves the use of a simple device that can be used at home to collect photoplethysmography (PPG) signals during sleep. The data from this device is analyzed using advanced deep learning algorithms to detect signs of SDB, thereby bypassing the need for expensive and cumbersome overnight sleep studies.

Accessibility

The tool’s non-invasive nature and ease of use make it highly accessible to families, even in remote areas. It can be easily distributed and implemented in community health settings, schools, and homes, which significantly broadens its reach.

Cost-Effectiveness

By reducing the need for traditional diagnostic methods, "BreatheLight" cuts down on the costs associated with sleep studies, making it an economically viable option for health systems and families alike.

Early Detection and Prevention

Early detection of SDB allows for timely interventions, which can mitigate the adverse effects of these conditions on a child's health. This is crucial for preventing the progression of SDB into more severe complications and for promoting healthier developmental trajectories.

Scalability and Integration

"BreatheLight" is designed to be scalable and can be integrated into existing health systems without the need for extensive infrastructure investment. This makes it an ideal solution for mass screening and ongoing monitoring, ensuring sustained impact.

By providing a practical tool for early detection and management of sleep disorders, "BreatheLight" directly enhances the quality of life for children, particularly those who are most vulnerable and traditionally underserved. This aligns closely with the equitable health systems focus of the SOLVE challenge, aiming to bridge the gap in healthcare disparities.

Our main goal is to have an impact by enhancing the detection and diagnosis of sleep related breathing issues, in children residing in regions with access to specialized healthcare. We plan to achieve this by making BreatheLight easily accessible and affordable ensuring that children who may otherwise remain undiagnosed and untreated can benefit from it. Our progress will be gauged by the number of children screened with BreatheLight, its effectiveness in identifying sleep related breathing problems and the initiation of treatment and follow up care. Additionally we will evaluate the cost effectiveness of BreatheLight compared to methods showcasing its potential to ease burdens on families and healthcare systems.

In addition to diagnosis our ultimate aim is to enhance the well being of children grappling with sleep related breathing challenges. We will track health markers like sleep quality, reduced daytime drowsiness, improved function and enhanced academic performance in children diagnosed and treated with BreatheLight. Furthermore we seek to empower communities by partnering with healthcare providers and organizations to bolster their capacity in addressing sleep related breathing issues while promoting awareness about the significance of sleep during childhood development. By monitoring these outcomes our vision is for BreatheLight to play a role, in fostering a future where all children can thrive.

BreatheLight main focus is, on using photoplethysmography (PPG) in a way. PPG is an method that detects changes in blood volume in tissues small blood vessels. By utilizing a painless finger sensor BreatheLight records PPG signals while a child sleeps. These signals are then analyzed by deep learning algorithms that have been trained to identify patterns linked to breathing issues during sleep. Through examining aspects of the PPG data, such, as time and frequency characteristics BreatheLight can effectively. Categorize breathing disruptions providing a dependable evaluation of a childs sleep quality. This technology offers a child cost efficient option compared to traditional sleep assessments enabling easier detection and treatment of sleep disorders at an early stage.

Full-time staff: 2

Part-time staff: 1

Advisor: 3

One year and half

At BreatheLight our team is deeply committed, to creating an environment that celebrates diversity, equality and inclusivity. We strive to assemble a team that mirrors the communities we serve understanding that varied viewpoints and backgrounds are essential for driving innovation and achieving success. Our hiring practices prioritize inclusivity ensuring opportunities for all candidates regardless of their backgrounds or identities. We provide training on diversity and inclusion to all team members fostering communication and a culture of mutual respect. Moreover we are devoted to removing obstacles to growth by offering work options supporting advancement and encouraging a healthy work life balance. Collaboration and support are at the core of our teams success as we nurture a space where every individual can contribute their skills and perspectives, towards our shared goal of enhancing children's health.

BreatheLight's business model prioritizes both financial sustainability and widespread accessibility to address the global challenge of pediatric sleep-disordered breathing. We will achieve this through a combination of direct sales to healthcare providers and families, strategic partnerships with NGOs, government agencies, and telehealth platforms, and a tiered pricing structure. Direct sales will cater to healthcare professionals seeking efficient SDB screening tools and families looking for convenient at-home diagnostics. Meanwhile, partnerships will facilitate broader distribution within underserved communities and integration into existing healthcare systems. To ensure affordability and reach, BreatheLight will offer various pricing options for individuals, healthcare providers, and organizations, with additional consideration for subsidized programs to support families in need. This multifaceted approach will enable BreatheLight to become a sustainable and impactful solution, improving children's sleep health and well-being globally while fostering a more equitable healthcare landscape.

BreatheLight's path to financial sustainability involves a strategic blend of revenue generation and resource acquisition. While currently in the prototype and clinical validation phase, we are actively pursuing grants and seed funding from foundations and organizations focused on pediatric health and technological innovation. These initial funds will support further research, development, and the scaling up of production for wider distribution. We are also building relationships with potential investors who recognize the market potential and social impact of BreatheLight.

As we move towards commercialization, our revenue model will rely on direct sales of the BreatheLight device to healthcare providers, families, and institutions. A tiered pricing structure will cater to diverse budgets, ensuring affordability while generating sustainable income. Additionally, strategic partnerships with NGOs, government agencies, and telehealth platforms will create opportunities for bulk purchases and subsidized programs, further expanding our reach and impact within underserved communities. While specific financial details are confidential at this stage, we are confident that this comprehensive approach will secure the necessary resources for BreatheLight's continued development, distribution, and long-term success in improving children's sleep health globally.