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The EMPatch consists of two separate patches: a visual display and a monitoring device. The monitoring patch is placed on the upper left area of the patient's chest. It reads the individual’s heart rate, respiratory rate, and temperature then transmits this information wirelessly to the visual display patch. The visual display patch is placed on the patient's upper arm and is used to display the data taken from the monitory device. Heart rate is shown at the top of the patch, followed by respiratory rate and finally temperature. The order of these readings follow the order in which vitals are checked by first responders.
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EMPATCH
Providing vital information in emergency situations
When disaster strikes, a large number of people, possibly thousands, are affected. To help treat these victims, there are many doctors and first responders that must provide the best care possible in a short amount of time. They need a quick and accurate way to obtain the vitals of each person affected. Currently, obtaining this information requires the use of multiple devices that are often bulky and require a medical assistant to operate. Additionally, these devices don't allow for monitoring of the patient over an extended period of time and instead give a single reading. The EMPatch is designed to tackle these problems by displaying real time output of an individual's body temperature, heart rate, and respiratory rate with the use of an arm and chest patch.
The display lights up either green, yellow or red depending on the state of the patient. If a vital is green, it is within the “safe” range. When yellow, the vital is slightly outside this range and when red, it is at a dangerous level. Using this system, the emergency personnel can quickly recognize if a person is either fine or in distress from a distance. The colors are the same as in an EKG heart rate machine which allows emergency personnel to be familiar with the interface and determine the state of a person with ease.
The visual display used to relay the vital information features a flexible, 3x5” graphene-based LED screen that allows concise, multi-colored images to be displayed. The flexibility of the screen allows the device to fit on a wide range of arms. Finally, an adhesive back is used to attach the visual display to the patient’s upper arm.
From the colors used, to the shape and symmetry of the display, the EMPatch was designed to provide a familiar and intuitive user experience. This product was designed to enhance the doctor’s ability to provide care for disaster victims but not impede their normal routine. Having one product that both collects and clearly displays an individual’s vitals can save time, and as a result save lives.
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