Monitoring System relays life-sign signals in real time.April 3, 2007 -
Worn underneath protective clothing, VivoResponder(TM) provides first responders and biohazard personnel with compact, non-invasive, continuous life-sign monitoring system. Product consists of lightweight chest strap with embedded sensors designed to allow full range of motion and withstand hostile environments. With included software, commanders and safety officers can simultaneously monitor up to 25 team members for at-a-glance access to fitness of any monitored person.
(Archive News Story - Products mentioned in this Archive News Story may or may not be available from the manufacturer.)
Original Press release
VivoMetrics Inc.
121 N. Fir Street Suite E
Ventura,, CA, 93001
USA
VivoMetrics Launches the VivoResponder(TM) System to Provide Real-Time, Life-Sign Monitoring System for First Responders
VENTURA, Calif., March 16 -- VivoMetrics Inc. today announced the launch of VivoResponder(TM), a lightweight and compact, non-invasive, continuous life-sign monitoring system specifically tailored to meet the needs of the first responder and biohazard markets. The product was developed following extensive study of the company's LifeShirt(R) System in firefighters and other first responders such as military personnel and is now being made available, based on the increasing need for improved fitness monitoring, for those who confront dangerous situations so that they may protect others.
"Continuous, real-time physiologic monitoring of first responders is a critical defense for their fitness in real-world and training situations," said Paul Kennedy, president and chief executive officer of VivoMetrics. "Currently, most personal protective systems are not designed to monitor first responder health in real-time but instead sound an alarm once they are in grave danger. Our goal is to offer an early-warning system that improves operational efficiencies and reduces risk and the downstream problems and costs that arise from accidents."
In the past, VivoMetrics has used its LifeShirt(R) Clinical product in first responder markets. Early testing provided proof that adding real-time, life-sign monitoring for first responders would be valuable. Studies also showed that using the technology enabled data collection in real-life situations that could never be duplicated in a laboratory environment. Based upon positive customer feedback, the company decided to customize its LifeShirt technology for the needs of first responder and biohazard workers.
The following modifications were made:
1. The VivoResponder utilizes a lightweight chest strap with embedded sensors, rather than a full shirt garment. This provides a greater range of motion and increased comfort under the layers of protective clothing often required to be worn by first responders and hazmat workers.
2. An enhanced design ensures the device is able to withstand the hostile environments encountered during duty such as high heat.
3. VivoCommand(R) analysis software is designed with an easy-to-use interface to enable commanders and safety officers to quickly monitor and assess up to 25 team members simultaneously.
4. Data from the VivoResponder can be easily integrated into existing radio and proprietary telemetry systems.
The Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute (MFRI) first used the technology in 2005-2006 to conduct a physiological analysis of more than 200 firefighters and used the findings to publish national guidelines to improve firefighter health during training. The guidelines are aimed at reducing the numbers of training-related injuries and fatalities, which remain at unacceptable levels nationally.
"There were past guidelines designed to ensure the physical and mental health of firefighters both in training and real-world incidents," said Steven T. Edwards, director of MFRI. "But, real-time physiologic monitoring enabled us to improve those guidelines and benchmarks because we were able to see physiologic response in an actual fire environment, rather than rely on visual or self-reported data. Ongoing, real-time monitoring will be essential to assess firefighter fitness in training and on the job because we know that rapid health changes are difficult to detect otherwise."
VivoMetrics believes that real-time monitoring in first responders and hazmat workers will not only improve the monitoring of workers' well-being, but also help reduce the economic burdens associated with work-related injuries and fatalities. "We believe the VivoResponder's greatest value is monitoring the well-being of workers in hazardous situations. We also know that by watching and maintaining the well-being of their staff, first responder organizations and the hazmat industry can also protect against the economic pressures that come from injuries, fatalities and disruptions of service," commented Paul Kennedy, president and chief executive officer of VivoMetrics.
The VivoResponder is specifically designed to enable safety officers, incident commanders or fire chiefs to have at-a-glance access to the fitness of a team of responders. Data gathered from the wearable sensors are transmitted in real-time to a remote command center personal computer (PC). VivoMetrics' proprietary software, VivoCommand then decrypts and processes the data in real-time as well as stores data for post-incident analysis and training. Access to real-time, easily read data allows those in charge to quickly identify problems before they happen and avoid an incident, not just with one person, but to also ensure the entire team or the job is not placed in jeopardy as a result.
About VivoMetrics
VivoMetrics, founded in 1999 and based in Ventura, Calif., provides wearable, non-invasive products and services, using its proprietary LifeShirt(R) technology, which continuously monitor vital, life-sign functions, such as heart rate, respiration rate, posture, activity and skin temperature. When monitored and reviewed in relation to one another, these parameters provide the most complete, real-time picture of physiologic fitness available today. The company's offerings, based on patented, field-tested technologies, were initially focused on improving the speed, outcomes and economics of pharmaceutical research. Since its inception, the company has further expanded its offerings for use by military, first responder and biohazard personnel, as well as athletes and for clinical, academic and corporate research.
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