Respiratory Therapist with Oxygen Solutions 

We talked to Valerie Obenchain of Advanced Interactive Response Systems (AIRS) on how to produce high-quality safety and monitoring products that improve patient health and care-giver performance and this is what she had to say.

First of all, how are you and your family doing in these COVID-19 times? 

Valerie Obenchain: I think everyone feels a little isolated, but we are fortunate to have a healthy family. As a Respiratory Therapist, my concern is for hospital workers and those with respiratory illnesses.   

Tell us about you, your career, how you founded Advanced Interactive Response Systems (AIRS)

Valerie Obenchain: I am an experienced Registered Respiratory Therapist. I saw firsthand the issues and need for solutions in oxygen therapy. Searching for solutions to the issues, but there were none, so I created them. Today AIRS, an FDA-registered company, is bringing new innovative solutions to oxygen therapy.  

How does Advanced Interactive Response Systems (AIRS) innovate? 

Valerie Obenchain: AIRS performs many hours of customer discovery before designing and prototyping. We file patents for our designs and have three issued United States utility patents, plus patents starting to issue in other countries. We continue to design and patent new products based on our needs.   

How the coronavirus pandemic affects your business, and how are you coping?

Valerie Obenchain: AIRS has remote monitoring oxygen solutions, and we are working hard to bring them to market. With the current COVID-19 outbreak, monitoring those with respiratory issues is a critical public health concern. In the United States, there has been a sizeable increased use of oxygen since the COVID-19 outbreak. It is causing a strain on some healthcare providers and their oxygen supply. Patients need to maintain appropriate SpO2 levels and have access to oxygen. The AIRS Oxygen Flow Monitor could be used to remotely monitor COVID-19 patients at home, as well as in a traditional healthcare setting, and provides vital information (such as SPO2 levels, pulse, battery levels, and tank status) to be proactively monitored to ensure proper oxygenation and access of oxygen to patients.

Who are your competitors? And how do you plan to stay in the game?

Valerie Obenchain: Our devices are uniquely different from what is currently available, hence our issued patents. We will continue working hard to bring our needed devices to market. We hope to partner with oxygen suppliers, as this is a new revenue stream for their patients. AIRS is also exploring licensing options. 

Your final thoughts?

Valerie Obenchain: If you would like to learn more about AIRS and our products, please visit our website. 

Your website? 

https://oxygenalarms.com/