At Johns Hopkins University a team of clinicians headed by Gene Fridman, Ph.D., an assistant professor of biomedical engineering and of otolaryngology–head and neck surgery, has developed a device that can help EMTs, doctors, nurses, and patients themselves conduct rapid medical assessments by combining the functions of multiple medical sensors into one unit. The MouthLab, as the prototype device is called, has a mouthpiece similar to those on snorkels. Within it is a thermometer and a blood volume sensor that is used to calculate the blood pressure (not super accurate, mind you). The above the mouth piece is a sensor that detects the breathing rate and a pulse oximeter measures the pulse and blood oxygen saturation.
In a study involving 52 volunteers using the device against traditional monitors, the following results were achieved:
- Pulse rate: −1.7 ± 3.5 BPM
- Breathing rate: 0.4 ± 2.4 BPM
- Temperature: −0.4 ± 1.24 °F
- Oxygenation (SpO2): −0.6 ± 1.7%
- Blood pressure systolic: −1.8 ± 12 mmHg
- Blood pressure diastolic: 0.6 ± 8 mmHg.
The researchers hope to introduce other sensors into the device that will measure the composition of saliva for glucose and other compounds.
Study in Annals of Biomedical Engineering: MouthLab: A Tricorder Concept Optimized for Rapid Medical Assessment…
Source: Johns Hopkins…