Smart band-aid that monitors COVID-19 condition

Northwestern University and Chicago’s Shirley Ryan AbilityLab have announced a device that can be worn like a band-aid to help diagnose COVID-19.

It works with data algorithms designed to identify early signs and symptoms of infection and monitor patients. You can attach it like a band-aid to the dent neck joint located at the top of the patient’s sternum. Here, the intensity and pattern of coughing, movement of the chest wall, breathing sounds such as difficulty breathing or irregular breathing, fever, etc.

Specifically, the 3-axis acceleration sensor detects coughing and breathing by measuring the movement of the skin surface. Microphones are not used because they reduce ambient noise, as they risk invading privacy. This product is non-invasive like a band-aid and can be mounted 24 hours a day, enabling continuous data streaming. Once a day, if you remove it from your body and place it on a wireless charger, the stored data is synchronized with a nearby iPad, uploaded to the cloud, and the algorithm checks for abnormalities. The device is said to be easy to disinfect because there is no external terminal for power or connection.

This product has already been installed by 25 subjects for two weeks, recorded 1,500 hours, and generated 1TB of data, and now produces dozens per week, but it is expected to expand at several hundred times in the future. What is remarkable about this product is that it can be used not only in hospitals, but also at home. The research team said that general health care can be improved by switching from temporary condition monitoring to continuous monitoring. In other words, condition monitoring can continue even after returning to daily life from the hospital, making it essential for the treatment of Corona 19.

Some people have already been diagnosed and treated unfortunately due to the sudden change in symptoms. As many countries have talked about medical collapse, there may be a need for a device like this product that monitors condition and enables early response. Related information can be found here .