Acoustic Respiration Motion Sensor (ARMS)
L-3 Communication's
Advanced Technologies Division (formerly Jaycor), has developed
a device for remotely detecting the physiological movement
associated with respiration. This completely non-contacting
device emits harmless, low-intensity acoustic energy that
is reflected at the surface of the skin. Both respiration
and heartbeat of adults and infants have been detected at
distances ranging from 1 to 12 feet. Our team invested significant
resources in developing smart signal processing algorithms
to discriminate respiratory motion from other common motion
artifacts, such as whole body motion and air currents. Extensive
tests of the ARMS have been performed on adults, as well as
on infants ranging in age from one day to several months old
at a major San Diego hospital. The National Institute of Health
and the Navy SPAWAR/ Charleston have also provided support
for development of the ARMS.
Technical Specifications
The ARMS emits harmless acoustic energy at a frequency not
detectable by humans (40 kHz). This low-intensity ultrasound
reflects off subjects within the range of the sensor and is
detected by the sensor. Comparison of the emitted and received
ultrasound waves yields information on the motion of the subject,
in particular on the respiratory and cardiac rates. The device
has been shown to work at distances from 1 to 12 feet.
Prototype ARMS Packaging
The ARMS is small (roughly 2 x 5 x 5 inches) and draws only
about 1 watt of power (excluding signal processing). A two-part
unit, with a very small (1 x 1 x 4 inch) sensor head, has
been developed for neonatal intensive care applications where
unobtrusiveness is important.
The signal processing is currently performed via a laptop
computer for ease of development of specialized signal processing
algorithms. Based on current data sheets from DSP manufacturers,
the processing for most ARMS based products can be implemented
using any one of a number of currently available, low-cost
DSPs.
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