Wearable lifesaving ‘sticker’ will help spot changes in patients’ breathing

Date posted: December 22, 2021
Share
Wearable Sticker

A wearable ‘sticker’ is being developed which will attach to patients to detect changes in breathing rate and patterns and act as an early warning sensor for declining health.

The project, involving Nottingham Trent University, the University of Southampton and University Hospital Southampton, will create a wearable capable of continuously, accurately and remotely monitoring respiration.

Respiratory rate – the number of breaths per minute – is the only vital sign that is not routinely measured by a machine, but it is known to be an effective early indicator of deterioration in a patient’s health.

Changes in breathing rate can be the single earliest sign of patient deterioration in a number of diseases, including sepsis and COVID-19.

The device, which will be about the size of a watch face with a thin respiratory sensor, will be highly sensitive to expansion and contraction of the lungs, without even needing to be in direct contact with the skin.

It is based on the principle of a ‘capacitive reflector’, a device originally developed by NASA as a proximity sensor for collision detection in robots.

The team’s earlier work has found that by attaching such a device to the chest, it is possible to detect breathing patterns in people.

Currently breathing rate is measured in hospitals by nurses manually counting the number of breaths taken per minute.

This is measured every four to six hours, which can introduce delays to detecting changes and potential treatment.

Chest-band or facemask systems are available for measuring respiration rate continuously but and can be invasive and uncomfortable for use over long periods of time.

The new device would continuously and accurately monitor breathing rate and be wirelessly interfaced to display data onto dedicated smartphone or tablet app for the healthcare team to use as an early warning system.

The system, which will be low cost and mass manufacturable, will also display a patient’s profile history of respiration rate to enable longer-term trends to be monitored.

As well as being vital for routine measurement in hospitals, the device could also be worn by patients or even healthy people who live at home.

After development, there will be a clinical trial with the aim of achieving regulatory approval within the NHS.

Dr Yang Wei, an expert in electronic textiles and electronic engineering in Nottingham Trent University’s School of Science and Technology said:

“Changes in breathing rate almost always precede changes in other vital signs and the earlier these changes are detected, the more effective the treatment and the more deaths can be reduced. Unlike a patient’s other vital signs, respiration just can’t be measured routinely currently as the technology is not currently there.”

The three-year project will involve clinicians and engineers and there will be public and patient involvement to help ensure optimal performance and comfort of the device.

For the latest from our region, subscribe to Midlands Matters, the official newsletter of the Midlands Engine.

Share

Keep Updated

Latest News & Events

Screenshot 2023-09-27 at 15.05.36

Green Growth

Sep 27 2023

New report raises concerns about the geographic reach of net zero business support, with the Midlands having a mixed set of results.

A new report, published this week has raised concerns about the accessibility and reach of net zero business support schemes available in England.

Read more
Innovative Leicestershire[63]

Health

Sep 26 2023

Innovative Leicestershire – A Life Sciences Success Story

A Charnwood Campus Cluster event in partnership with Medilink Midlands, part of a series of events to celebrate the achievements and support the growth of the life science organisations clustered around Charnwood Campus Science, Innovation and Technology Park.

Read more
Derby University Institute of Technology

Digital

Sep 19 2023

First East Midlands Institute of Technology site opens in Derby

A new state-of-the-art facility for computing students, which will support the teaching of a range of digital and engineering subjects, such as computer games animation, design engineering and mechatronics has opened at the University of Derby’s Enterprise Centre.

Read more
An electric vehicle charging

Subscribe to Midlands Matters, the newsletter of the Midlands Engine