A Cambridge‑based startup has secured £14.2 million to launch a handheld device that diagnoses chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in five minutes, a task that traditionally takes over an hour.
The device, designed by TidalSense, analyzes a 75‑second breath sample using artificial‑intelligence models trained on more than 2.5 million recorded breaths. Results appear on a screen in real time, enabling a rapid diagnosis.
For clinicians, the new tool increases patient throughput. While conventional spirometry allows about one patient per hour, the handheld unit can process up to six patients in the same time frame, and it requires only ten minutes of training for any healthcare professional.
Chief executive Ameera Patel explained, “A patient breathes normally through the device for 75 seconds, and the system delivers a diagnosis within five minutes, a dramatic reduction in turnaround time.”
Patel, who holds a medical degree, a PhD in applied mathematics, and a background in computational neuroscience, noted that COPD is often mischaracterized as a smoker’s disease, pointing out that air pollution and indoor biomass cooking contribute significantly to cases worldwide.
The company’s software, N‑Tidal Diagnose, achieved over 90 % accuracy in a 2023 real‑world trial and has been deployed across several NHS regions, including Suffolk, northeast Essex, Wales, Glasgow, and community lung screening clinics in southern England.
Patel highlighted the importance of early detection, noting that a quarter of COPD patients experience delays of five years or more before diagnosis. She also argued that hardware companies are under‑invested, stating that they remain defensible in an era where software products can be built with AI.
Cambridge has a reputation for scientific excellence but faces challenges in scaling spin‑outs into global businesses. TidalSense joins other diagnostics ventures from the city that are pursuing growth capital in a market that favors larger, more defensible investments.
Founded in 2013 by chief engineering officer Julian Carter, who has a PhD in microelectronics and over 35 years of medical device experience, the company has spent more than a decade developing the device. The latest funding round brings total capital raised to nearly £30 million, including £8 million in grant money.
