Pneumothorax Diagnostic Chest Dressing Pad

To address U.S. Navy’s need for a diagnostic chest dressing, Physical Optics Corporation (POC) proposes to develop a new electronics-integrated Pneumothorax Diagnostic Chest Dressing Pad (NUMOPAD). The proposed NUMOPAD is based on a chest pad/dressing with multiple embedded sensors applied on the chest wound of the injured Warfighter and a display unit carried/worn by the medic/corpsman. The innovation in the system design offers low false alarm rate (FAR) (0.02%), real-time diagnostic capability for developing pneumothorax in chest wounds and wirelessly alerts the medic/corpsman to its occurrence. The dressing is hypoallergenic and resilient to perspiration and extreme weather and its use of flexible electronics offers a small form factor (< 1 cm thick, in various sizes up to 6 in. × 4 in). Use of low-power electronics allows continuous operation of 8–10 hours of the dressing using watch batteries. In Phase I, POC plans to develop an engineering design, assemble a proof-of-concept prototype to demonstrate feasibility of NUMOPAD and develop an FDA approval strategy for this technology. At the end of Phase II, NUMOPAD will reach technology readiness level (TRL) 4/5 and be ready for initial testing for potential transition to the field.