Invention Description
Researchers at Arizona State University and the Naval Surface Warfare Center have prototyped a novel, non-invasive in-ear wearable device (EWD) featuring a combination of sensors/electrodes that allow real-time monitoring of human physiological parameters as well as environmental conditions. Sensors include:
- Miniature Inertial Measurement Units (IMU): Measures acceleration, angular velocity, and elevation changes; detects fatigue, head/neck loading, spatial disorientation, G-loading.
- Pulse Oximeter: Measures cerebral blood oxygen saturation, heart rate and intervals, breathing rate and intervals, body temperature; detects cardiac distress, pulmonary distress, hypoxia, hypo- or hyper-ventilation.
- Galvanic Skin Response (GSR) Sensor: Measures skin conductance and changes in electrical (ionic) activity from sweat gland activity; detects muscular and emotional distress.
- Electromyography (EMG) Sensor: Measures movement and electrical activity of muscles; detects muscular distress/twitching, spasms, eye irritation.
- Electrocardiogram (EKG) Sensor: Measures timing and shape of the PQRST heart sequence; detects myocardial infarction, atrial fibrillation.
- Electroencephalogram (EEG): Measures event-related potential (ERP), alpha and theta waveforms, peak alpha frequency; detects attention level, blinking, metal effort, alertness.
- Barometer and Humidity Sensor: Measures pressure, altitude, humidity, temperature; detects sudden variations in cabin pressure/humidity.
- Gas Sensor: Measures carbon monoxide, ammonia, hydrogen, ethanol, methane, propane, isobutane; detects environmental toxicity.
- Radiation Sensor: Measures α, β, γ, and X-ray radiation; detects environmental toxicity.
Potential Applications
Individuals working in high-stress environments including:
• Athletes
• Emergency, rescue, and law enforcement teams
• Field maintenance workers
• Military personnel
Benefits and Advantages
• Ensures mission safety and success by monitoring for potentially adverse conditions
• Small, lightweight, and compatible with gas mask usage
• Wireless data transmission