In-vivo measurement of gas bubble formation

We propose the development of an in-vivo bubble detection system that will measure the evolution of gas bubbles in biological tissue and blood. Our approach utilizes established commercial technology with advanced imaging techniques to permit visualization of microbubble formation without entering the body. The sensor will be able to quantify the size and density of bubbles as they evolve and will be used as a tool to help study microbubble formation in an effort to correlate them to decompression sickness (DCS). The technology allows the proposed sensor to be lightweight, low-power, compact, wearable and self-contained. 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.