Use of Non-Invasive Methods to Determine Stroke Volume

LifeWave is completing work on the Phase I SBIR “Use of Non-Invasive Methods to Determine Stroke Volume”. Completed efforts to date include FDTD computer simulations of the UWB radar and human torso and algorithms for stroke volume measurement using cardiac phantom data. Results of these efforts show that it is theoretically possible to measure stroke volume with UWB radar. The objective of this Phase II proposal is to convert the Phase I effort into a miniature UWB radar module that connects to a commercially-available PDA and can accurately measure cardiac stroke volume. Based on the stroke volume and other derived metrics, the system will estimate levels of hemorrhagic shock and direct resuscitation in the hypovolemic patient. The system will also support storage and dissemination of biometric field data, enabling enhancements in triage algorithms and further improving casualty care. The technical approach involves collection of baseline cardiac data from porcine models and human subjects in a laboratory environment. This data will be used to refine the UWB radar circuitry and the signal processing algorithms. Enhancements will be validated in the lab using controlled exanguination in the porcine tests and lower body negative pressure in the human tests.