CSEM SA, a Swiss research and technology organization, has developed a disruptive sensing technology for medical wearables, a technology referred to as cooperative sensors. Cooperative sensors are sensing units that work together to measure a large variety and number of physiological signals in the highest quality manner at rest or in motion. They fundamentally differ from existing sensing technologies thanks to a patented electronic circuit that allows them to be electrically connected in the simplest way physically possible.
In contrast to existing approaches, obtaining best quality ECG (electrocardiogram) or impedance signals does not require shielded cables. Neither is multi-connection and insulation needed. Cooperative sensors can thus be easily integrated into simple conductive garments, creating low-cost and comfortable, yet powerful, medical wearables.
Verification against medical standards and validation with clinical trials have both confirmed that ECG and transthoracic impedance can be measured with dry electrodes and simultaneously for many channels, opening the way to wearable EIT (electro-impedance tomography). The validated sensors also included other sensing components, like an accelerometer, NTC, LED/photodiode, and electret, that allow onboard algorithms to compute an already large number of secondary signals - namely, heart rate, core body and skin temperatures, SpO2, cuff less blood pressure, activity classes, energy expenditure, running speed, and cough counting.
Recently developed dedicated integrated circuits (ASICs) will allow cooperative sensors to be reduced to the size of a button in the near future. CSEM has been ISO 13485 certified for the development of medical devices since June 2014.
Contact: Aline Bassin Di Iullo, CSEM Centre Suisse d'Electronique et de Microtechnique SA
aline.bassin@csem.ch
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