TORAS: Temperature-Based Operational Readiness System

Accurate core temperature measurement is critical for safe assessment of warfighter operational readiness since it is a parameter strongly associated with environmental temperature-related injuries and exertional heat exhaustion of thermally burdened soldiers. Yet, this variable is still incredibly challenging to measure accurately, reliably, noninvasively, and cost-effectively. Because of this, it is typically determined indirectly, using other measured parameters (e.g., skin temperature and heart rate). In response to this critical unmet need nou Systems Inc. (nSI) is developing a multimodal sensor platform capable of providing rapid and continuous personalized performance monitoring of essential parameters required to determine operational readiness. The proposed end-to-end solution consists of a highly miniaturized platform equipped with ultra-low-power sensing, computation, and wireless communication capabilities. Our smart-pill is already capable of measuring and reporting core temperature and other parameters associated with physical fatigue with medical-grade accuracy. Through this effort we will prime it for field use. In addition, we will replicate its temperature and communications module to develop a robust wearable temperature patch for peripheral temperature measurements to complement the measurements reported by our smart pill. Phase I efforts will include design, prototyping, and biosensor laboratory demonstrations to refine our approach. During Phase II, we plan to refine our sensors, and conduct thorough performance and safety characterization to obtain regulatory approval enabling military and civilian technology transition.