N14A-T019 TITLE: Multi-Modal Biosensing

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Sensors, Electronics

ACQUISITION PROGRAM: None in place

OBJECTIVE: A compact, low power dynamical system built on an integrated circuit (IC) serving as a common and scalable platform for multi-modal current detection sensing at the 1pA level for Electrocardiogram (ECG), Electroencephalogram (EEG), and Electrodermal Response (EDR) biosignal detection joined with non-contact wearable electrodes. The signal processing will be able to compensate for movement and be useful for medical monitoring to assess a subject's stress, fatigue and resilience.

DESCRIPTION: A set of odd-numbered nonlinear oscillators can work cooperatively to enhance the detection of minute signals that can serve as an ultra-sensitive electrical current detector on an IC with multi-channel capabilities. An array of these oscillators can detect electrical current changes on the order of 1 pA, which will be used as the common platform for simultaneously sensing different types of signals such as magnetic fields, electric fields, along with seismic, acoustic, infrared, and other signature modalities. Derived from this integrated common platform (backbone), a wearable biosensing system which is immune to motion artifacts and muscle noises is to be developed for medical applications and human performance assessments.

PHASE I: Develop a conceptual design of an IC-based dynamical oscillator array including transistor-level simulations to demonstrate electrical current detection with a high enough signal to noise ratio to provide a sensitivity level to allow operation against low-frequency current fluctuations with realistic system noise.

PHASE II: 1. Develop, demonstrate and validate a prototype chip-based system with multiple channels built onto an IC based on the Phase I work. 2. Demonstrate multi-modal signal detections (at least 2 different signal collections). 3. Integrate the IC with contactless electrodes for biosignal detections. 4. Package the biosignal detection system together with electrodes, a power management unit and wireless transceiver, all into a bandage-sized form factor of 2cmX4cm.

PHASE III: 1. Field a wearable biosensors device with the Marine Corps Warfighting Lab to test an integrated system for biosignal data fusion with sufficient precision, analytical capabilities, scalability, and energy efficiency to enable long-term monitoring and robust operation from limited energy supplies. Data will be obtained under a variety of situations, such as sleep deprivation, physically stressful activities, and during sleep. 2. Market the biosignal detections miniature wearable device for EEG, ECG, and Electro-dermal response and data connectivity to a common communication device such as a smart phone.

PRIVATE SECTOR COMMERCIAL POTENTIAL/DUAL-USE APPLICATIONS: A wearable medical data recorder for EEG, ECG, and EDR operable under daily activities.

REFERENCES:
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