Loading organizations...
§ Private Profile · Irvine, CA, USA
Reinventing respiration monitoring
Key people at Makani Science.
Makani Science was founded in 2018 by Michelle Khine (Founder) and Michael Chu (Founder).
Makani Science is a medical device company based in Irvine, California. We have created the world's first wireless patch that can accurately and continuously monitor breathing. The company is co-founded by Dr. Michelle Khine and Dr. Michael Chu, two experts in the wearable monitoring space from the University of California, Irvine.
The Makani Science system will collect unique breathing waveforms from patients in everyday environments to create the first large database of respiratory patterns associated with different diseases. Data will be collected through systems sold to our initial beachhead market, where we will help improve monitoring safety in patients being sedated for medical procedures. Our long-term goal is to combine machine learning with this database to identify and predict respiratory complications for different patient populations.
We have a highly experienced team and will be FDA cleared in our beachhead market within a year.
Key people at Makani Science.
Makani Science was founded in 2018 by Michelle Khine (Founder) and Michael Chu (Founder).
Makani Science is a medical technology company focused on reinventing respiratory monitoring by developing a wireless, wearable respiratory monitoring system that is accurate, comfortable, and accessible for clinical and home use. Their flagship product is a small, stretchable sensor patch that continuously tracks respiratory rate and breathing waveforms in real time, transmitting data via Bluetooth to mobile devices. This innovation addresses critical needs in patient care, sedation monitoring, sleep apnea, pediatrics, and wellness/performance measurement by enabling earlier detection of respiratory issues and improving patient outcomes[1][2][3].
Founded in 2018 by Dr. Michelle Khine, a biomedical engineering professor and serial entrepreneur, and Dr. Michael Chu, a biomedical engineer with expertise in soft wearable sensors, Makani Science emerged from over a decade of research at the University of California, Irvine. The founders developed the technology in Khine’s lab, supported by grants that helped transition the sensor from concept to a market-ready product. Early pivotal moments include securing FDA 510(k) clearance in 2025, validating the device’s safety and accuracy, and initiating clinical deployments and research collaborations[1][3][7][8].
Makani Science rides the growing trend of wearable health technology and continuous remote patient monitoring, driven by increasing demand for non-invasive, real-time vital sign tracking outside traditional clinical environments. The timing is critical as healthcare shifts toward proactive, data-driven care models emphasizing early detection and prevention. Market forces such as rising respiratory diseases, aging populations, and the need for safer sedation monitoring favor adoption. By enabling continuous respiratory monitoring with unprecedented comfort and accuracy, Makani Science influences the broader ecosystem by setting new standards for respiratory care and expanding applications into wellness and performance sectors[1][2][8].
Makani Science is poised to expand its impact by scaling manufacturing, broadening clinical deployments, and enhancing its product with features like heart rate monitoring and longer battery life. Future trends shaping its journey include the integration of AI for predictive respiratory health analytics and growing demand for ambulatory monitoring in diverse populations. As the company matures, it may become a standard of care for respiratory monitoring, reducing hospitalizations and improving quality of life globally. Its innovation not only advances medical device technology but also exemplifies how wearable sensors can transform vital sign monitoring across healthcare and wellness[2][8].
In summary, Makani Science is transforming respiratory monitoring through cutting-edge wearable technology, backed by strong academic roots, regulatory validation, and a clear vision to improve breathing health worldwide.
