Pilot Physiologic Assessment System Navy SBIR FY2009.1 Sol No.: Navy SBIR FY2009.1 Topic No.: N091-018 Topic Title: Pilot Physiologic Assessment System Proposal No.: N091-018-0543 Firm: Orbital Research Inc 4415 Euclid Avenue Suite 500 Cleveland, Ohio 44103-3757 Contact: Aaron Rood Phone: (216) 649-0399 Web Site: www.orbitalresearch.com Abstract: The proposed Pilot Physiologic Assessment System is a comprehensive medical monitoring system capable of measuring standard medical indexes such as heart rate, oxygen saturation, respiration rate, oxygen consumption, carbon dioxide production, and nitrogen levels. PPAS will be capable of both monitoring physiologic conditions and warning individuals of potential hypoxic state to aviators or persons conducting missions above 10,000 feet. The approach of the Pilot Physiologic Assessment System will be to use measured physiologic, metabolic and ambient values to create safe boundary limits during hypoxic exposure and allow for warning signals to be presented. Orbital Research (Cleveland, Ohio) with partners at NASA Glenn Research Center will develop a wearable sensor suite to monitor physiologic metrics of aircrews. The acquired indexes will allow physiologic changes to be tracked, warning signals to be generated, and hazards of hypoxia to be mitigated. Accurate prediction of deleterious changes from hypoxic exposure requires first accurate sensors. This Phase I program will focus on developing a non-invasive, pilot worn sensor suite capable of monitoring physiologic metrics to accurately predict and issue a warning of a hypoxic state to the user. Benefits: Military Market Due to the insidious nature of hypoxia, the use in aircraft of on-board oxygen generating systems (OBOGS) instead of gaseous supplies, and the potential for oxygen mask leakage or improper mask use, there is a need for a personal hypoxia monitoring system that can detect physiologic changes, predict the onset of symptoms, and alert the user. During Phases I and II, Orbital Research, partnered with NASA GRC, will demonstrate that physiologic metrics (such as heart rate, heart rhythm, respiration rate, oxygen consumption, and carbon dioxide production) can be accurately tracked and monitored by PPAS for changes in response to hypoxia. The PPAS could find acceptance across military aircraft as not only a countermeasure to hypoxic hypoxia, but also as a physiologic monitoring platform that employs both diagnostic and prognostic capabilities. In addition to the immediate need to assess hypoxic hypoxia in aircraft personnel, PPAS could find applications to Special Forces and operations in mountainous terrain. The technology will also be applied to human performance evaluations and training exercises where the effects of oxygen deprivation are a potential issue. Navy divers who use a rebreather apparatus are also exposed to potential hypoxia conditions. The PPAS could be applied to these divers to provide a warning of impending hypoxia. Civilian Market In addition to the numerous Military applications listed above, a similar and more diverse set of markets presents itself in the civilian sector. The PPAS could find applications aboard civilian airliners for cockpit crew. Mountain climbers and SAR personnel would benefit significantly from adoption of this technology. Any situation that presents the danger of oxygen deprivation with the inherent threat of hypoxia could present markets for this technology. Mining operations frequently expose employees to suboptimal oxygen levels. Carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning presents a set of symptoms similar to hypoxia and anywhere CO is a chronic threat the PPAS could be a benefit Return