Noninvasive CO2 Sensor for Controlling Ventilation of Combat Casualties

Polestar Technologies, Inc. proposes a Phase II SBIR project to complete the development of a unique rapid response transcutaneous CO2 sensor to address the need for a noninvasive sensor that is capable of providing the type of rapid accurate readings required to effectively control mechanical ventilation during ambulatory care. The new sensor will provide significantly faster response times compared with traditional electrochemical transcutaneous sensors thus reducing the potential for measurement errors arising from a time lag between the actual arterial CO2 level and the observed transcutaneous measurement. A series of rigorous human trials will be conducted to compare the performance of the new sensor versus readings taken using a blood gas analyzer. The human studies will evaluate the new CO2 sensor"s performance under a range of conditions including normal ventilation, induced hypocapnia and hypercapnia, hyper and hypothermia, and varying blood flow rate. The human trials will also examine what, if any, affect gender, weight, age, and skin tone (light, medium, dark) have on the sensor"s performance.