Asthma is a non-communicable disease (NCD) that affects children and adults. Inflammation and narrowing of the small airways in the lungs cause asthma symptoms, including coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, and chest tightness.

According to WHO, asthma affected around 262 million people in 2019 and caused 455,000 deaths. Most asthma-related deaths occur in low- and lower-middle-income countries.

Based on this data, a collaboration of five students from the Faculty of Engineering (FT) and the Faculty of Medicine (FK) Universitas Brawijaya (UB) created a tool that can help patients with asthma control their asthma well.

Under the guidance of Dr.Ir. Ponco Siwindarto, M.Eng,Sc and dr. Thareq Barasabha, S.Ked., M.T., the five students consisted of Andhika Surya Rismanta (FT), Viery Sanjaya Aruan (FT), Ryandra Azka Ridho Fahrezi (FT), Raihan Herwildhan (FT), and Michelle Christmerry Pyhanny (FK) .

The innovation being promoted is ASELEN (Asthma Electrical Necklace), an IoT-based monitoring and therapy tool for patients with asthma.

ASELEN is funded by the Ministry of Education and Culture and Brawijaya University through the Student Creativity Program in the field of Creative Initiatives in 2023. This work has received an IPR (Intellectual Property Rights) certificate issued by DJKI (Directorate General of Intellectual Property).

“Current asthma control tools are still very minimal. Considering that asthma is a disease that is very difficult to detect when it flares up, I think this is a breakthrough,” said Michelle.

The PKM KC team, which is a combination of the Electrical Engineering Department and the Medical Study Program, explained that ASELEN consists of 3 prototypes.

The first consists of a Necklace to measure body temperature and a Grove clip heart rate sensor (measures pulse). Next is the mask. This mask is connected to the necklace using a cable.

And the most important thing is the inhaler. Patients who are detected as alert by the monitoring device will immediately be directed to undergo therapy using an inhaler.

“This tool has a usage procedure that will make it easier for users to operate it,” said Andhika as the team leader.

Viery as a team member, added that with the presence of this tool, the team hopes to help the government, especially in the Health sector, in monitoring asthma patients remotely without the need to come to a Health facility.

Dr. Ponco also explained that ASELEN has great potential to be developed and marketed, considering that tools to treat this disease are still very difficult to find and the price is still very high.

“Hopefully, ASELEN, as a form of UB’s contribution, can make it easier for health workers to monitor asthma sufferers in Indonesia,” concluded Ryanda on behalf of the team.