Wearable oximetry for harsh environments

Abstract

A wearable oximeter is needed to help people safely perform missions in environmental extremes. Key initial needs are to monitor for hypoxemia at high altitudes, and to monitor for shock in the event of trauma and hemorrhage. An initial investigation has been performed to assess design parameters for a wearable oximeter. Initial data was collected to assess the forehead, manubrium, and xiphoid process as wear locations; to assess required power; and to characterize the types and significance of motion artifacts that will need to be mitigated. The forehead was confirmed to be an excellent site with respect to signal quality, but signal corruption from changes in contact pressure will need to be mitigated. The sternal locations are initially assessed to be more challenging, likely requiring more power and site-specific motion artifact mitigation.