At SXSW this week, USAID unveiled a biomedical suit and a wearable sensor patch to protect doctors while treating Ebola patients.
The John’s Hopkins developed suit takes two minutes to put on. It has anti-fogging capabilities and will contain a cooling system, allowing doctors to wear it for longer periods. Past protective suits took 30 minutes to put on, were hot and uncomfortable, and could only be worn for 45 minutes.
The MultiSense Memory patch described at the conference will enable doctors to remotely monitor patients. It is flexible , has multiple sensors, and attaches to a patient’s sternum with adhesive. The device takes baseline heart rate, temp and oxygen saturation readings, and measures all changes. The prototype uses a USB cable to transmit data, but the patch will use Bluetooth. It will cost $100 and will have 7 to 10 days of battery life. The average Ebola case runs its course in five days.
Results of USAID’s Grand Challenge to Fight Ebola also include:
- Aquarius GEP LLC and Innovative BioDefense
Antiseptic that, when applied to skin, provides up to six hours of pathogen protection and serves as an anti-microbial barrier to viral transmission for health care workers - SPR Advanced Technologies, Inc.
Long-lasting, spray-on barrier that kills and repels microbes with electro-static fields to prevent surface contamination and allow for more breathable PPE materials
Wearable Tech + Digital Healthy NYC 2015 – June 30 @ New York Academy of Sciences. Early registration rate available until March 27.