Novel Smart Skin Biomedical Sensor for Monitoring Crew Health Parameters in a Wireless, Passive, Lightweight, Robust, and Non-invasive Fashion

A. Central Objectives: This proposal is focused on an innovative bio-monitoring sensor that may serve as a simple yet sophisticated method for monitoring multiple mission critical physiological parameters such as blood-flow, intracranial pressure, body temperature, blood gas concentration, and fitness of the EVA suit in a novel fashion. The objective of this proposal is to develop a bio-monitoring sensor which is passive (does not require batteries), robust and lightweight (does not have electrical components), and able to wirelessly monitor multiple physiological parameters related to astronaut health and performance. We will evaluate our central hypothesis that biological electrical and magnetic properties can be leveraged to detect physiological parameters using a novel micro-coil sensor - applied like a small adhesive bandage or woven into garments. Guided by promising preliminary data, we will attain the objective of this application by pursuing the following specific aims: Aim #1: Develop and achieve the necessary sensor impedance, capacitance, inductance, and sampling rate to measure physiological parameters on human tissue. Aim #2: Investigate the sensor capability to measure multiple physiological parameters such as intracranial pressure, blood flow, temperature, and blood gas CO2. Aim #3: Determine if physiological parameters can be identified when subjects are wearing a Liquid Cooling Ventilation Garment (LCVG) and if the sensor can be used to measure how well the EMU suit fits to gauge performance. Broader Impacts of this proposal include: 1) dissemination of this work by offering an exhibit and educational sessions at the Kansas Cosmosphere and Space Museum, 2) a partnership with Project Lead The Way to provide a research experience for underrepresented high school students, 3) new partnerships with industry and NASA personnel. B. Methods: A novel bio-monitoring sensor will be designed that leverages the architecture of a paper thin planar spiral micro-coil. The sensor will be comprised of a single baseline component which is a thin conductive trace of copper shaped as a planar spiral, which does not have any electrical components/batteries. When impinged upon by an incident RF wave, the micro-coil develops electrical current flows in the trace and magnetic field-lines formulated around the sensor. Fluctuations in the magnetic field lines will be correlated with changes to physiological parameters. The sensor design factors will be optimized following a process known as impedance matching to achieve the optimal resonant frequency response on human tissue. The capability of the sensor to detect multiple physiological parameters and intracranial pressure will be investigated by configuring an array of micro-coils each tuned to detect a specific physiological parameter. Subsequently, we will evaluate the sensor signal to detect physiological parameters while in the presence of water flowing through an LCVG, and determine the resonant frequency, frequency bandwidth, amplitude, and phase of the sensor. Finally, we will evaluate the sensor’s ability to measure proximity to human tissue with the purpose of measuring how well the EMU suit fits on a subject to evaluate performance. C. Significance/NASA Interests: This proposal addresses NASA research interests in wearable health monitoring systems to address the gaps and risks that are critical to crew health and performance during long duration space missions. Specifically, our research fits well with the directives of the National Space Biomedical Research Institute to develop Smart Medical Systems and Technology. The capability to measure multiple physiological parameters in a single sensor is highly appealing because auxiliary resources are at a premium in a space station or in an EMU suit. This research may provide a foundation for a novel strategy for monitoring mission critical crew health parameters in point-of-care fashion.

This is a mature technology (TRL 7+) — the realistic path in is usually NASA's Technology Transfer Program: licensing an existing NASA patent, or a Space Act Agreement to use NASA facilities/expertise directly. NASA also runs a startup licensing program with no upfront fee for companies formed to commercialize a specific NASA technology.

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