Remote Sensing of the Electro-Magnetic Potential of the Human Heart

In 2002, QUASAR demonstrated clear detection of the electric potential produced by the heart at a distance from the subject of order 1 m. Measured data and preliminary calculations show that detection at 5 m should be possible with existing sensor hardware, and that stand-offs greater than 10 m might be achievable with improved sensors presently in development. In Phase I we will develop an accurate electric (E-) field model of the heart/body system in order to project the potential produced by the heart out to arbitrary distances. We will also determine the effective system measurement noise floor to be expected when filtering and signal averaging are included. A breadboard prototype heart potential sensor system, comprised of a pair of existing QUASAR electric potential sensors about the size of a dime (10¢ coin), and a laptop computer for data acquisition and storage will be demonstrated in a shielded room, and in a normal outdoor urban environment. In Phase II a complete man-portable or gun mountable system that detects and locates personnel via the electric potential produced by the heart will be developed and demonstrated.