Diver Biometric Device using Novel Physiological Sensors

Physiological state monitoring of Navy divers is of importance in performance enhancement and research health assessment. This project aims to develop a device using a suite of novel sensors to measure ECG, EEG, respiration, pulse oximetry, temperature and to detect underwater blasts. ECG will be measured using previously validated state-of-the-art capactive bioelectrodes, which are capable of recording clinical-quality data without the need for skin preparation or waterproofing. Existing dry EEG sensors will also be adapted for use on divers, and the suite of sensors will be interfaced with a dive computer. Phase I will determine the feasibility of using selected sensor modalities in an underwater environment, and investigate the trade-offs between sensor suite designs and signal accuracy, reliability and obtrusiveness. Methods and algorithms will be defined to use sensor data to measure metrics such as diver stress, fatigue, blood oxygenation, and to detect nitrogen narcosis and high pressure nervous syndrome. If successful, this device will advance the capabilities Navy personnel, and commercialization of this technology will provide new capabilities to the recreational diver and civilian medical research markets.