The Big Airing Update 2023 — Airing SmartMask

We have some good news to share. On the way to developing the Airing micro-CPAP, we’ve made a discovery that can help millions today.

Many of you may remember back in 2015 we raised nearly $2 million through our Indiegogo campaign in support of building a prototype for the micro-CPAP. With that money we were able to support a development team, rent some office space, and create a functioning lab. We made fast progress, but also ran into major unforeseen challenges in the prototype development.

A convergence of multiple technologies.

On the surface, the Airing micro-CPAP appears to be a single invention, a single product. However, it is really the convergence of multiple highly technical inventions, each utterly unique, and each never seen before. And we were working with micrometer to millimeter mechanisms, so each invention had to not only work, but work at an incredibly small scale. Further, each of these inventions had to work seamlessly with all the other inventions in order for the micro-CPAP, the ultimate product, to function properly.

Scientifically speaking, not an easy task. But since 2016 we’ve made tremendous progress. We have successfully designed, engineered, and built working prototypes (each working on its own) for the following sub-technologies that will ultimately make up the Airing Micro CPAP product:

The micro pressure sensor
The exhalation valve
The “smart” technology embedded within
The small nose body form factor was designed and set
The nose buds are designed and ready

All of these innovations work today. But they do not all work together yet. And despite all of this serious progress we could see our funds draining faster than our progress was gaining. Having nearly exhausted our Indiegogo raise one thing became clear to us: we had to make some changes, and fast.

And then we had an idea.

In 2021, we asked the question, with all these working prototypes for many of Airing’s sub-technologies, were any of them marketable on their own?

One of the technologies successfully developed, working, and patented, was our exhalation valve. This technology was a critical component to the micro-CPAP’s function, but it occurred to us that it might also be valuable with other traditional CPAP machines. We also have successfully developed the air pressure sensors, the air switch, and the smart technology that allows the exhalation valve to respond in real-time to a person’s breathing pattern.

Combined into a product, these technologies work together to track your breathing and know when you’re inhaling to allow air in, but the instant you exhale it stops the air so you can comfortably exhale. And that’s the most uncomfortable part of the traditional CPAP experience, the inability to exhale without resistance. This innovation combination could benefit millions of sleep apnea patients right now, making it more likely they don’t quit the therapy. We even have a working prototype, which is what investors were hoping to see of the Airing micro-CPAP.

We are calling this new product the Airing Smartmask. We will be seeking FDA clearance, but so far, our preliminary test results have been promising.

Business strategy: SmartMask success leads to Airing micro-CPAP.

Our intention now is to introduce the Airing Smartmask into the traditional CPAP market while we continue to work on our “holy grail,” the micro-CPAP. Doing so will bring relief to CPAP users right away, but doing so will also help us raise the money we need from, one, investors, and, two, organically through the sales of a real product in the marketplace.

Why are we telling you this? Well, one, as followers of Airing for years, we owe you an update and an explanation. And, two, right now we are putting all of our efforts towards the Smartmask and we hope you’ll support us with our immediate and long-term goals to revolutionize the CPAP market.

More to come. We are grateful for your continued support. Big things are happening at Airing.