INSTITUTE FOR
BETTER BREATHING (IFBA)

The people behind the new self-healing

The team behind pneemo®, and the IFBA, consists of Swiss founders Thomas Flatt and Felix Strobl, designer Urban Würsch, biomedical scientist Chloë Harverson, and a small production, certification, and sales team in Basel, a European healthcare capital. Since 2003, the team has successfully developed innovations in oral care. In 2018, the team began working with respiratory specialist Heidrun Fehrl-Kahn on controlled, slow-paced breathing. With the development of a simple, scientifically proven breathing trainer, the team wants to revolutionise self-healing and increase the quality of life for many people. 

Thomas Flatt

Founder

Specialist in Oral Pyophylaxis and Health, MBA University of Zurich. Company founder and manager. Over 20 years' experience in a leading position in the personal healthcare sector.

Felix Strobl

Medical and Scientific Director, Business Development

Neuroscientist specialising in the effects of breathing on the autonomic nervous system. Trained tenor and paramedic.

Urban Würsch

Chief Designer 

Swiss-certified industrial designer. Winner of various design awards including Red Dot Design Award, Good Design Award, German Design Award

Chloë Harverson

Head of Communication

Scientist
BSc Biomedical Science

Great teachers

Many scientists and teachers from all over the world have inspired us by teaching us the importance and secret of controlled, slow-paced breathing. From Professor Loew to Wim Hof to the Zen Master of a Japanese retreat, inspiration and evidence of such breathing practise is everywhere.

 
 

[DE]

Germany's breathing specialist invents the metronome for slow-paced breathing

Heidi Fehrl-Kahn's personal strokes of fate and the need to find something for herself to relax led her to research breathing and find a solution: "At that time, there was no literature on breathing and hardly anyone was interested in it. So I found out through painstaking research that it is actually enough to breathe in a certain rhythm to positively influence the body. All complicated further measures are actually unnecessary. I developed a first breathing beat. And lo and behold: since then I have never had a panic attack again! I'm fine and in a good mood! A breathing trainer like this is good for quality of life!"

The creation of pneemo

Inclusive design

pneemo® was designed to fit neatly in the palm of your hand. Our goal was to create something compact for portability, but substantial enough that it can be gripped for support – as if pneemo® is holding your hand. 

The start button is positioned at the most natural position when holding pneemo® in your hand. The elastic band covers the switch to maintain approachability. 

The charging port located and the cover and has space for future updates such as a wireless connection. The ribbonis holding the cover in place.

Traditional crafts

Its stylish ribbon lanyard was woven in Switzerland, which harks back to the traditional technique that was once an important craft in the North-West of the country. 

With this ribbon, pneemo® sits both comfortably and fashionably round your neck, providing you easy access in case of emergencies. It’s the accessory you didn’t know you needed that not only makes you feel good, but also makes you look good. 

We then added to this a band to secure the device, and a lanyard for accessibility, particularly during emergencies. pneemo®'s striking colours are not only visually appealing, but they help the device be more easily located.