VitalFlo

VitalFlo operates as a predictive medicine and digital health company focused on the chronic respiratory disease market. Founded in 2017 by Luke Marshall, the company emerged from research conducted at North Carolina State University and the UNC School of Medicine. Marshall, who holds a Ph.D. in Material Science, was driven by a passion for transitioning technology from research to real-world applications. The company's technology was initially developed by researchers at the ASSIST Center, who patented a low-cost, portable spirometer in 2014.

The firm targets healthcare providers, including hospitals, health systems, ACOs, and physician practices, that manage patients with asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Its business model centers on providing a software platform and connected devices for both in-clinic and at-home patient monitoring. This approach aims to facilitate proactive care by enabling timely interventions based on collected data, with revenue generated through provider subscriptions and leveraging existing insurance reimbursement codes. In May 2022, VitalFlo was acquired by Doktorconnect, a preventative healthcare company, to integrate its respiratory care solutions into a broader health monitoring platform.

VitalFlo's core offering is a digital platform that integrates with FDA-cleared spirometers for pulmonary function testing. The platform features software for in-office testing (VitalFloPRACTICE) and a remote monitoring solution (VitalFloHOME). Patients can use a handheld spirometer connected to a smartphone app to track their lung function and symptoms from home. This data, including lung function metrics, symptoms, and environmental triggers, is then synced with their clinical team. For providers, the platform offers automated alerts, detailed analytics, and workflows to support clinical decisions and manage patient populations more effectively. The system is designed to improve patient outcomes by enabling early detection of declining lung health, potentially reducing emergency room visits and hospitalizations.

Keywords: respiratory care, digital health, remote patient monitoring, spirometry, asthma management, COPD management, predictive medicine, pulmonary function testing, health-tech, clinical decision support, preventative healthcare, chronic disease management, telehealth, lung health, medical device integration, healthcare data analytics, proactive care, patient monitoring platform, clinical research tools, value-based care solutions