SBIR Phase II: RFID Tags for Cardiopulmonary Monitoring in Clinical Setting

This Small Business Innovation Reseach (SBIR) Phase II research project will develop an RFID system with sensor tags. This work focuses on design and implementation of a custom CMOS integrated circuit which contains hybrid analog-digital circuits on a micro-power tag. The biomedical application is vital signs monitoring including heart and lung sounds. The sensor tag operates within an RFID environment. Micro-electromechanical systems technology is used to fabricate an optimized sensor together with CMOS circuitry on the RFID-compatible tag. Heart sounds are presented as time-varying waveforms and processed algorithmically for feature extraction. Micro-power designs are used throughout the planned system. The commercialized product with disposable tag sensors can replace the jungle of wiring currently used with direct-wired sensors or, for wireless pods, the need to replace batteries frequently. The system provides a patient monitoring capability that is very convenient, highly-cost effective, capable of chronic use, and does not interfere with nearby heart pacers. The ease of application makes this system ideal as a teaching tool for medical students and specialists with both visual waveforms and sound presented to the operator simultaneously. The system will be used in hospitals, clinics, medical offices, and for outpatients in the home.