Case ID: M21-110P^

Published: 2022-04-28 08:30:09

Last Updated: 1683705868


Inventor(s)

Sangram Redkar
Kevin Nichols
Prabha Dwivedi

Technology categories

Chemical/Biological SensorsEnvironmentalIntelligence & SecurityLife Science (All LS Techs)Medical DevicesMedical Diagnostics/SensorsPhysical Science

Licensing Contacts

Shen Yan
Director of Intellectual Property - PS
[email protected]

In-Ear Wearable Device (EWD) for Real-Time Monitoring of Physiological Parameters and Environmental Conditions

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:

 

  1. Miniature Inertial Measurement Units (IMU): Measures acceleration, angular velocity, and elevation changes; detects fatigue, head/neck loading, spatial disorientation, G-loading. 
     
  2. 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.
     
  3. Galvanic Skin Response (GSR) Sensor: Measures skin conductance and changes in electrical (ionic) activity from sweat gland activity; detects muscular and emotional distress. 
     
  4. Electromyography (EMG) Sensor: Measures movement and electrical activity of muscles; detects muscular distress/twitching, spasms, eye irritation.
     
  5. Electrocardiogram (EKG) Sensor: Measures timing and shape of the PQRST heart sequence; detects myocardial infarction, atrial fibrillation.
     
  6. Electroencephalogram (EEG): Measures event-related potential (ERP), alpha and theta waveforms, peak alpha frequency; detects attention level, blinking, metal effort, alertness. 
     
  7. Barometer and Humidity Sensor: Measures pressure, altitude, humidity, temperature; detects sudden variations in cabin pressure/humidity.
     
  8. Gas Sensor: Measures carbon monoxide, ammonia, hydrogen, ethanol, methane, propane, isobutane; detects environmental toxicity.
     
  9. 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

Research Homepage of Professor Sangram Redkar