General Purpose Miniature Thermometer for Remote Monitoring of Soldiers

Mini Mitter Co., Inc. will design a body temperature telemetry system that will provide the US Army with an innovative and cost-effective method for monitoring body core temperature and skin temperature of soldiers in the field. We will demonstrate thefeasibility of a system supporting ingestible pill thermometers as well as multiple skin patch thermometers with on-board transmitters. The precision thermometer sensors and the thermometer packaging will be derived from Mini Mitter's proprietarytemperature transmitters. A body-worn receiver will identify individual thermometers and automatically calibrate each sensor. Periodic radio-frequency transmission techniques will multiplex thermometers and eliminate cross talk between their transmitters.Microelectronic assembly techniques with simplified manufacturing processes will meet the US Army's price objectives of $10 - $20 per thermometer. Mini Mitter's solution will apply directly to the US Army's Warfighter Physiological Status Monitoringprogram. Phase I objectives are: (1) verify that our existing technologies can support the performance requirements, (2) determine a method of data transmission, and (3) compose a high-level engineering plan for system development in Phase II. MiniMitter's unique combination of experienced physiologists and strong engineering staff creates an optimal environment for success, providing the scientific and technical expertise to design this system.Mini-Mitter has identified several market segments thatwill benefit from the development of a General Purpose Miniature Thermometer for Remote Monitoring. These segments include Military Operations, Medical Clinical Research, Hospitals, and Industrial Heat Stress monitoring. The most important and mostimmediate are the military applications. Key military operational applications include (1) scientific research to evaluate the effects of thermal stress on physical performance; (2) improving the guidelines for troop training regimens; and (3) monitoringof the soldier's physiological data for evaluating the combat efficiency, mission readiness, and safety of troops.