Compact device for quantitative measurement of in-vivo gas bubble formation

We propose to live animal test and continue the refinement of our in-vivo bubble detection system, which quantitatively measures the evolution of gas bubbles in biological tissue and fluid. Our approach utilizes established commercial technology with advanced imaging techniques to permit visualization of microbubble formation without entering the body. The Phase I developed proof-of-concept will be combined with electronic signal processing to quantify the size and density of bubbles as they evolve. We will reduce our laboratory proof-of-concept to a compact prototype that we envision will be used as a tool to help study microbubble formation in an effort to correlate them to the onset of decompression sickness (DCS). The compact prototype will demonstrate the lightweight, low-power, and self-contained nature of the technology. With an eventual DCS correlation, the portability and method of the proposed bubble sensor will ultimately enable personalized dive parameter calculation so divers can operate optimally and safely within their physiological limits.