FA864924P0187

Small Business Innovation Research Program (SBIR) Phase I

Ear-based Wearable Solution to Protect Air Crew and Pilots from Hypoxia

OxiWear is an ear-based wearable device which uses advanced photoplethysmongram (PPG) sensor technology to continuously measure oxygen saturation (SpO2) levels and heart rate in real-time. OxiWear is clinically tested and verified allowing for continuous monitoring, wearable convenience, and user specified blood oxygen alerts. It is sweat proof, water-resistant, and provides seamless data tracking, even on dark skin tones. Hypoxia (low blood oxygen levels) is one of the most lethal injuries a person can sustain which may result in cardiac arrest, stroke, or mortality. The DoD has concerns regarding unexplained physiological events (UPEs) affecting pilots of training, fighter, and attack aircraft, with both the Air Force and Navy grounding aircraft and expending considerable resources in search of root causes and solutions. Hypoxia-induced loss of consciousness (H-LOC) is a well-known physiological threat in aviation and poses significant risks to military aircrew who navigate great safety risks during high altitude, unpressurized flight missions. The threat of H-LOC extends to all aircrew, including rear crew, such as air warfare specialists, jumpmasters, loadmasters, and medics leading to 718 UPEs in-flight in just six years. OxiWear s ear-wearable device can detect and alert aircrew to hypoxia, improving critical decision making before cognition and/or consciousness is lost.

The goal of phase I is to establish the technical merit, feasibility, and commercial potential of proposed R&D efforts and determine the quality of performance of the small business awardee organization.

AFX237-PCSO1

FX237-PCSO1-0139

X23.7

Meghan Scott