FDA propels asthma product

Propeller Health of Madison (fka Asthmapolis) has received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to sell an updated Propeller device. The device, which attaches to patients’ inhalers, is part of the company’s effort to better control and monitor asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It uses sensors, mobile apps, and analytics to record when and where a patient uses inhaled medications, and whether the inhaler is being used properly. It can also alert medical staff if a patient’s condition worsens, hopefully fending off an attack.