Optical reflection sensor for vital sign detection in the ear
A mobile biofeedback system, which records the patient’s vital parameters measured in the external auditory canal, analyzes them with the help of a smartphone app and evaluates them individually, has been developed by the CiS Research Institute together with medical experts and industry partners.
The device should make it possible for patients to perform their therapeutic training outside the clinic, at any time and in any place. The patient’s physiological condition is monitored throughout the training program. In this way, a control loop is created in which the patient is guided, but in particular sensitized, and thus actively controls the therapy.
An essential component of the solution is a miniaturized reflection sensor developed for photoplethysmography. This sensor determines the optical density of the rhythmically perfused tissue. In this way, conclusions can be drawn about the local blood flow and the systems regulating the blood flow. These include, above all, cardiac activity, respiration and thermoregulation, which in turn are under the influence of the autonomic nervous system.
The research and development work is supported by the Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology within the funding measure “Central Innovation Program for SMEs” under the funding code VP2020410KJ2.
Project presentations at:
COMPAMED, November 12-14, 2014, Düsseldorf, Hall 8a, Booth H23.1
