Ultra-thin Helmet-Compatible NIRS/EEG-Based Cerebrovascular Monitoring Sensor System for Future Vertical Lift Operator State Monitoring Integration

The increased agility, speed, and altitude capabilities of the Army’s future vertical lift (FVL) aircraft are expected to increase physiological stress on Army aircrew during flight operations dramatically. These increased physiological and environmental stressors pose a severe and ongoing risk to mission success, and real-time operator state monitoring (OSM) is needed to optimize performance during flight continuously. Although there are no physiological monitoring systems for Army aviators, novel monitoring solutions are already being developed for tactical jet aircrews, which may be modified for Army FVL operator monitoring needs.NIRSense is a wearable technology developer that specializes in physiological monitoring systems for US service members. NIRSense developed, delivered, and demonstrated an ultra-thin oximetry system optimized for Navy tactical jet aircrew cerebral oximetry in the operational flight environment. Collaborating with the US Army Aeromedical Research Laboratory (USAARL), this system has been included in protocols combining hypoxia and elevated cognitive workload. Recently, NIRSense has completed a DHA SBIR Phase I effort to evaluate the feasibility of designing and developing an improved and specialized head monitoring system for FVL aviators. In addition to system enhancements and algorithm development for respiratory rate, NIRSense conducted an expert workshop on July 11, 2024 at Fort Novosel, AL, with a team of pilot equipment SMEs, Warfighter Performance Group scientists, fixed-wings pilot consultants, and other stakeholders. The event included a sensing capabilities demonstration with two optical-only sensor prototypes and one multimodal sensor prototype and an evaluation for feedback on fit and ergonomy from the pilot equipment team at USAARL. The workshop was very successful and initiated many useful discussions regarding NIRSense technology, improvement avenues for the system to be integrated into the FVL OSM, and how to best meet its biosensing requirements. Outcomes and information collected during this event have been used to develop the follow-on PhII effort.This follow-on Phase II SBIR will focus on implementing the FVL OSM requirements (collected in Phase I) into a revised version of the multimodal physiological sensing system, develop and verify the performance of functional prototype systems, and conduct human research evaluation with USAARL in the relevant rotary-wing simulator platform, as well as in-flight feasibility evaluation with warfighter participants wearing FVL equipment (i.e. HGU-56P helmets).