Cambridge Design Partnership has developed a wearable device that can measure and monitor the vital signs of multiple trauma patients. According to the company, the low cost device – called the First Response Monitor – bridges the gap between manual measurement and more expensive patient monitoring systems
The low cost wearable biometric device not only monitors the patient, but also collects and transmits data in real-time, enabling medical staff to monitor a greater number of casualties and provide more effective triage.
The monitor clips onto the patient's nose, giving an 'at a glance' indication of respiration and pulse rates. This data is added to a trends graph showing how these measurements have changed over time. Using the device allows efforts to be focused on providing care, rather than taking measurements while understanding how the patient's condition has changed over time.
Data is transmitted using Bluetooth Low Energy to a smartphone app or tablet, enabling other data analyses such as multiple patient triage or situational awareness across the group.
Although the device has been primarily designed for use by first response medics in situations where there may be mass casualties, other applications wellness monitoring and performance monitoring.
James Baker, a partner at Cambridge Design Partnership, said: "We've combined our expertise in wearable connected devices with our extensive medical experience to develop a technology for effectively measuring breathing and heart rate. The monitor can help save lives in a variety of environments and we're really keen to speak to partners about developing the potential applications further."
