Technology assessment for the advanced life detector. Final technical report, May 1987-January 1988

Technical Report · Fri Jan 29 00:00:00 EST 1988

OSTI ID:7075564

Burrows, W D; George, D T

This report summarizes an assessment of technology available to develop a noninvasive life detector for use on the battlefield. The detectors determine if casualties wearing chemical protective overgarments are alive or dead without further exposing either the casualties or the aidmen to the contaminated environment. Seven technology approaches sponsored by the Department of Defense (comprising 11 devices), four technologies identified in a market survey, and one device described in a Broad Agency Announcement proposal were examined as candidate Advanced Life Detectors. The technologies and instruments surveyed included three transmitter-receiver technologies, an electrocardiogram (ECG) technology, pacemaker-transmitter/receiver, dry electrode heart rate monitor, five microwave technologies, flash reflectance oximetry, an ultrasound technology, a streaming potential technology, a dry electrode ECG monitor coupled to a microphone, a statometric technique for determining heart rate and blood pressure, and a vital-signs monitor that determines heart rate and blood pressure using blood pressure cuff and microphones incorporated into the cuff. Analysis of the state-of-the-art of each device indicates that none of them are advanced enough to fulfill all the requirements of the draft Joint Services Operational Requirement. Three of the devices identified are recommended for further evaluation.

• Research Organization: Army Biomedical Research and Development Lab., Fort Detrick, MD (USA)
• OSTI ID: 7075564
• Report Number(s): AD-A-191382/1/XAB; USABRDL-TR-8802
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

42 ENGINEERING
47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION
CHEMICAL WARFARE
PERSONNEL MONITORING
MEDICAL SURVEILLANCE
PROTECTIVE CLOTHING
MONITORING
BLOOD PRESSURE
PROGRESS REPORT
CLOTHING
DOCUMENT TYPES
RADIATION MONITORING
SURVEILLANCE
WARFARE
420202* - Engineering- Protective Structures & Equipment
440300 - Miscellaneous Instruments- (-1989)