SBIR Phase II: Remote Monitoring of Patients in Respiratory Distress

这一小型企业创新研究(SBIR)第二阶段项目的更广泛影响/商业潜力是推进对有呼吸窘迫风险的患者的实时评估系统。目标是监测这些患者，避免以前出院的患者入院或再次入院。第一个设想的应用是监测慢性阻塞性肺疾病(COPD)，这是无法治愈的--但这种疾病可以通过勤奋的监测来管理。设想的远程患者监测系统将通过提供慢性阻塞性肺疾病突发事件的早期预警来改善患者护理和预后，从而减少紧急医院就诊和住院的需要。该系统将为医护人员和护理人员提供更多的时间来实施方案，例如基于吸入器的药物输送，从而减少慢性阻塞性肺病以及新冠肺炎、哮喘、肺炎和其他呼吸道疾病的严重事件。这个小型企业创新研究(SBIR)第二阶段项目是开发一种可重复使用的设备，用于监测伤害性疼痛、呼吸困难和咳嗽动态的生物标记物，以及传统的生命体征测量。该项目将开发一种可重复使用的装置，带有可充电电池和可更换的粘合剂，以便在监测期间长期使用。此外，用户界面将进行优化，以便向患者、护理人员和从中央监控中心提供远程护理的医务人员显示相关症状。有效地分享患者状态的持续变化将允许最有效的个性化治疗。该项目将开发一个具有适当网络安全协议的系统。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project is to advance a real-time assessment system for patients at risk of respiratory distress. The goal is to monitor these patients and avoid hospital admissions or re-admissions for previously discharged patients. The first envisioned application is monitoring of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), for which there is no cure - but the disease can be managed with diligent surveillance. The envisioned remote patient monitoring system will enhance patient care and outcomes by providing early warning of COPD flare-ups, thus reducing the need for emergency hospital visits and admissions. This system will provide healthcare workers and caregivers added time to implement protocols, such as inhaler-based drug delivery, thus reducing critical events for COPD, as well as COVID-19, asthma, pneumonia, and other respiratory illnesses. This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project is to develop a reusable device monitoring biomarkers of nociceptive pain, dyspnea, and coughing dynamics, along with traditional vital sign measurements. The project will develop a reusable device with a rechargeable battery and replaceable adhesives for prolonged use during the duration of the monitoring period. Additionally, the user interface will be optimized for the display of pertinent symptoms to the patient, caregivers, and medical personnel providing remote care from a centralized monitoring center. The efficient sharing of continuous changes in patient status will allow for the most effective personalized treatment. The project will develop a system with appropriate cybersecurity protocols.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.