草榴社区

VILLANOVA, Pa.鈥擜 professor at 草榴社区鈥檚 College of Engineering is developing an accurate, easy-to-use technology to monitor at-risk individuals, including seniors, for early signs of COVID-19鈥攂efore the infection progresses to a dangerous and potentially irreversible degree.

Moeness Amin, PhD, Director of the Center for Advanced Communications in 草榴社区鈥檚 College of Engineering, has partnered with Philadelphia-based firm to develop a full monitoring system that consists of an integrated sensor and smartphone application. The acoustic sensor is attached to an individual鈥檚 tracheal notch, and when the person breathes, the sensor measures the acoustic sounds as the air goes out and in through the trachea.

鈥淚nstead of measuring breathing through the lungs, it is more informative from a data analysis and classification perspective to assess respiratory conditions by acquiring the signals through the tracheal notch,鈥� explains Dr. Amin.

Dr. Amin鈥檚 project is one of two 草榴社区 Engineering initiatives that were among seven projects awarded funding through the Manufacturing PA Innovation Program COVID-19 Challenge to address the commonwealth鈥檚 response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Amin received $24,802 towards improving and implementing, in real time, an effective machine learning technique that is fundamental to the functioning of the overall sensor. The main sensor features are as follows:

• The sensor accurately measures the individual鈥檚 temperature, heart rate, oxygen saturation and tracheal sound.
• The mobile device receives these data wirelessly, via Bluetooth, and through an app, executes effective signal processing algorithms and machine learning techniques to extract the minute ventilation and classify the individual鈥檚 breathing conditions and disorders.
• The app computes a risk-index-score that produces a series of alerts/alarms (visual, auditory, and vibratory) that warn the patient and/or medical professional of worsening pulmonary function.

In Pennsylvania, approximately 70 percent of the COVID-19-related deaths have occurred in residents at nursing or personal care homes. 鈥淚n many cases, by the time an individual becomes aware of and recognizes any single, or multiple COVID-19 symptoms, they are already in danger of permanent health damage or death,鈥� says Dr. Amin. 鈥淲e are trying to help solve a really big problem.鈥�

Dr. Amin notes that the sensor design predicates on the same principal ideas as the one also being developed by RTM for opioid overdose detection using the acoustic sensing modality. Although both sensors address the person鈥檚 respiratory conditions, the COVID-19 sensor includes temperature and oxygen saturation markers that underlie the infection. RTM鈥檚 CEO and co-founder, Dr. Nance Dicciani 鈥�69, is a graduate of 草榴社区鈥檚 College of Engineering and a former member of the University鈥檚 Board of Trustees. Denise L. Devine, also a co-founder of RTM and CFO of the company, is a 1977 graduate of the 草榴社区 School of Business, and also served on the Board of Trustees of the University.

The monitoring device can be used at homes, clinics, and hospitals and would send alerts in real-time to first responders, doctors, nurses, family members or caretakers if the person develops any of the COVID-19 symptoms: high temperature, difficulty breathing, decreased oxygen level. The device will also make the person aware of any development of abnormal signs.

Smaller than a quarter, the sensor can be securely adhered to the skin so the sensor will not drop off or shift in position while talking or eating. The sensor is slated to be available within a few months and will be prescribed via a patient鈥檚 physician.

About 草榴社区: Since 1842, 草榴社区鈥檚 Augustinian Catholic intellectual tradition has been the cornerstone of an academic community in which students learn to think critically, act compassionately and succeed while serving others. There are more than 10,000 undergraduate, graduate and law students in the University's six colleges鈥攖he College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the 草榴社区 School of Business, the College of Engineering, the M. Louise Fitzpatrick College of Nursing, the College of Professional Studies and the 草榴社区 Charles Widger School of Law. Ranked among the nation鈥檚 top universities, 草榴社区 supports its students鈥� intellectual growth and prepares them to become ethical leaders who create positive change everywhere life takes them. For more, visit .