Respiratory Health Technologies

The Science

Hyperthermic Science Aids in Fighting the Common Cold

Hyperthermic research studies on treating and preventing rhinovirus infection.

While clinical testing has not been performed specifically with the RHT mask, substantial literature supports the benefits of the provision of warmed, hyperthermic air to the nasopharynx:

  • In laboratory studies, the provision of hyperthermic air inhibits viral replication and may enhance local immune response.
  • Multiple studies have shown the potential benefits of hyperthermic air provided in a sauna environment.

Hyperthermic research studies on treating and preventing rhinovirus infection.

SinuSauna by Respiratory Health Technologies

While clinical testing has not been performed specifically with the RHT mask, substantial literature supports the benefits of the provision of warmed, hyperthermic air to the nasopharynx:

  • In laboratory studies, the provision of hyperthermic air inhibits viral replication and may enhance local immune response.
  • Multiple studies have shown the potential benefits of hyperthermic air provided in a sauna environment.

A brief history of hyperthermic treatment in rhinovirus infections.

2023
Summer

Alpha/Beta prototype development and market launch planning underway.

May

Market research identifies a large, distinct target market with a high purchase intent.

March

Prototype R&D completed for airflow and thermal optimization.

2022
September

Investment by Boomerang VC Fund.

February

First outside investment into Respiratory Health Technologies (RHT) by angel investors.

2021
December

A first round of focus group participants are given early version prototypes to try on and test.

October

Respiratory Health Technologies, Inc (RHT) is formed.

January

Townsend and Zielinski’s idea for a rhinovirus mask is taken into Boomerang Studio for derisking assessment and business building.

2019
April

Townsend and M. Zielinski team up with veteran medical-device engineers R. Till to develop early prototypes for applications ranging from general wellness to pre-exposure prophylaxis to at-home care for infections caused by viruses such as rhinovirus.

March
In a lecture on infectious diseases, Indiana University Medical Students Jack Townsend and Matthew Zielinski learn of these previous studies and formulate the idea for a wearable, hyperthermic air-producing product that precisely heats air entering a rebreathing mask.
2017
A long-term study published by Kunutsor, Laukkanen T, and Laukkanen JA reveals that a moderate (2-3 sessions per week) to high (4-7 sessions per week) frequency of sauna bathing may lower the risk of respiratory disorders (COPD, asthma, and pneumonia). 10
2015
The 2015 Foxman, et. al. study shows reduced rhinovirus penetration into cells at 99°F (37°C) and “severe inhibition of virus production” at 102°F (39°C). 9
2013

A study by Kunbootsri N, Janyacharoen T, Arrayawichanon P suggests that sauna bathing improves lung function by improving vital capacity, total lung volume, and forced expiratory volume. 8

2009
Torigoe, Tamura, and Sako describe how a local hyperthermia treatment in the range of 102-108°F (38–41°C) might enhance the local immune response through heat shock proteins, while cytotoxic effects from thermal stress could be achieved at temperatures above 108°F. 7
1999
Conti and De Marco demonstrate a 90% reduction in rhinovirus viral load in HeLa cells exposed to hyperthermia of 113°F (45°C) for 20 minutes. 6
1990
Ernst and Pecho study 50 volunteers and find significantly fewer episodes of common colds in patients who regularly use the sauna compared to controls who abstained from saunas or other hyperthermic treatments. 5
1989

Tyrrell, Barrow and Arthur perform a double-blind clinical study on patients with acute nasal and upper respiratory symptoms, concluding that nasal hyperthermia can improve the course of a common cold and give immediate relief of symptoms. 4

1977

Killington, Stott, and Lee discover a restriction of rhinovirus growth occurs at temperatures above 98.6°F (37°C) compared to 91°F. 3

1970

Stott and Heath demonstrate reduced rhinovirus penetration into cells at 98.6°F (37°C) and a 400-fold inhibition of virus production at 102°F (39°C) compared to 91°F 91°F (33°C). 2

1969

André J Lwoff postulates that raising the mucosal temperature to 109°F (43°C) for three periods of 30 minutes at two-hour intervals would block the replication of rhinoviruses and abort common colds. 1

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