Nevada City, CA -- (SBWIRE) -- 06/07/2016 -- Retired aeronautical engineer Caleb Swanson has congestive heart failure. He also has a determination to put his engineering background to use in augmenting his doctor's prescribed treatment.

A therapeutic breathing system he's perfecting will rely on the popular crowdfunding website Indiegogo to reach fellow heart patients.

"Breath Light is essentially a deep breathing guidance system designed to train and continuously remind patients to breathe deeply and slowly," Swanson says. "It includes multicolored LED bulbs placed in convenient locations around the home to reinforce correct breathing methods known for centuries to yoga enthusiasts and thought by many to have helpful applications in modern medicine."

When finalized, his Breath Light system will likely sell for less than a week's worth of medications.

"The signal lights included are something like traffic lights at a street crossing, serving as constant reminders and visible guides. They turn blue when it's time to inhale and red when it's time to exhale," he adds.

Perfecting the system and medically verifying its benefits will require a clinical trial involving a large number of people, says Swanson. About $280,000 in funding will be used in doing this as well as contact practicing cardiologists to explain the Breath Light system's design, functional operation, goals—and in requesting those doctors to recommend patients eligible to participate in the clinical trial.

"Though designed to treat congestive heart failure, the Breath Light system may also be of benefit to many suffering from other circulatory disorders, hypertension, COPD and anxiety conditions. Studies have in fact shown positive benefits of deep breathing in a range of medical conditions," he adds.

To contribute, or to find out more about the Breath Light system, visit the Indiegogo webpage at http://bit.ly/1VCaBiP.