GPS-Based Tracking System for Trauma Patients

The objective of this proposal is to build a wireless, low-power, GPS-enabled sensor node prototype to capture patient location and time information. Development of the sensor node prototype will be based on emerging technologies in sensors, GPS and wireless communications. Integration of these technologies will facilitate the study of resuscitation and acute care strategies for combat and commercial medical use. Currently, detailed information regarding out-of-hospital resuscitation efforts is poorly captured and rarely integrated with the hospital record. There is no existing real-time, sensor system that can collect, integrate, locally store, and transmit this type of information ahead of the patient, so that trauma centers can better anticipate the arrival of extremely ill patients. This Phase I STTR proposal addresses these needs by: 1) developing a prototype GPS-enabled sensor node, 2) modifying an existing wireless transmitter to send GPS information over a cellular network to a receiving hospital, and 3) modifying an existing SQL database to process, display and store the patient location data generated by the GPS sensors. The Primary Investigator is a pediatric trauma surgeon with experience in micro-sensors, sensor networks, trauma management and resuscitation research. Co-investigators are experts in wireless location tracking, RF and database design.