NEW YORK, Nov 2 — Thanks to technology, asthmatics can now use a hand-held device to help warn them of potential attacks.

Scientists at Sparo Labs have been working on a pocket-sized device called Wing that plugs into your smartphone and can detect the early warning signs for asthma attacks.

Wing, is a sensor that works with a companion app to accurately measure two important lung functions: FEV1 or how much air you can exhale in one second and Peak Flow which is how fast you can exhale.

Using Wing consistently over time can help users visualise lung function, detect environmental and medication triggers that can cause symptoms, and know when to take action before asthma or related attacks occur. The premise is simple: The more you use it, the more it learns about your particular condition.

The accompanying app allows users to both monitor and collect readings, while also being able to share them securely with with your doctor to help better manage asthma attacks.

The best part about this gadget is that it doesn’t have a battery so it never needs charging, and it plugs into your phone using the headphone port — so there’s no worry over compatibility. At the moment, the app is only available for iOS, but an Android version is in the works.

Wing is part way through its Indiegogo campaign and a little over 50 per cent funded already. The cheapest early bird offer has already been snapped up, but it’s still available for US$90 (RM386), or US$100 if that level also sells out. You can expect delivery of the Wing around August next year.

Wing - Measure Your Lungs. Manage Your Asthma. from Wing on Vimeo.