PROJECT OVERVIEW PART ONE PART TWO PART THREE |
Sensory System
| Part II: Sensory System (3/4) The second component of the Silent Sentry is its sensory system, which is comprised of three major components. The Smart T-Shirt Through the use of communication fibers, the Smart T-shirt has become a wearable network. The shirt is covered in sensors and a processor can analyze the data received by these sensors and then transmit the information to satellites. Wearers will also be able to connect to the internet or to an employer’s computer which would allow the wearer’s movements to be tracked, when a computer chip is plugged into the shirt’s networks. Since the shirt was developed with the military in mind, when the fibers in the shirt are broken, presumably from a bullet or shrapnel, a number of sensors are turned on and the shirt can locate the exact place the fiber was broken and turn on all the sensors surrounding that point and can even detect blood flow from the area. Since police and other rescue workers in disaster areas are exposed to bodily injury, they should also benefit from this technology. One of the greatest benefits this new technology can provide is that firefighters will now have a computer monitoring their vitals. Due to the stress of the job, firefighters often die from heart attacks while fighting a fire since early signs of attack are masked by adrenaline and physical exertion. The Smart T-shirt would allow people to monitor firefighters and the global positioning device would also allow other firefighters to find their fellow workers if they went down with a building. When asked Dr. Sundaresan Jayaraman, principle investigator for the Smart T-shirt project, said that "we [the Smart T-shirt project team] use commercial off-the-shelf EKG sensors from 3M and other companies for monitoring heart rate, respiration rate and electrocardiogram(EKG). We[the Smart T-shirt project team] use a thermistor sensor for monitoring body temperature. For pulse oximetry we make use of the sensor from Nellcor." Pulse oximtery sensors monitor the amount of hemoglobin saturated by oxygen through non-invasive sensors that can be attached to an ear lobe or finger. In addition, a spinoff of the Smart T-shirt called the Smart Shirt is sold for $175 by Sensatex. About the Smart T-shirt: 3M EKG Sensors: Thermosister Sensors Nellcor pulse oximetry sensors Sensatex Smart Shirt Health Sensors Blood Pressure Sensors. Although is may sound unlikely, the creation of a blood pressure sensor comes from the same research used in creating a pressure sensor for automobiles. National Semiconductor, one of the leading firms in silicon pressure sensor technology, was approached in 1977 by the American Hospital Supply to create a disposable blood pressure sensor for $5 each. Although the market for the sensor at the time was over $20 each, the National Semiconductor turned the American Hospital Supply away. The American Hospital Supply continued to seek the development of the sensor. In 1979, Gould manufactured the first disposable BP sensor, using a silicon gage with a mechanical force concentrator, for the American Hospital Supply. Today blood pressure sensors can be considered the second greatest application for pressure sensors, automobile MAP sensors being the first. About Blood Presure Sensors: Vital Signs Tracking Software. There are many companies that are qualified for developing our type of software that can track vital signs, process data, trigger alarms, and have a clear database. One company, GoWebMan, in particular combines servers and software together in a very clear, precise manner. They are a credible in nature and provide abundant information on their web site. They use top of the line equipment that makes our process easier. They provide us with everything in one bundle. Such technology they use are Compaq servers that run at 1.7 GHz (2gb ram), and the latest form of Linux as our operating system. (Red Hat). Before coming across this company, the Linux operating system, and Compaq servers seemed to be the best for our situation. They have great performing technology that is reliable. GoWebMan can provide us with all our needs without breaking the bank. Even though we don't have a budget, this could make our project more feasible, and realistic in the real world. They also put up data about their network infrastructure, and how it compares to their competitors. About GoWebMan: Other companies: Environmental Sensors
Another recently introduced radiation detector has been made commercial by AXCESS Inc. This detector is more a preventative for nuclear terrorist attacks. This sensor is hooked to a computer network, and when radiation is detected it creates an alarm and emails local personnel and authorities. It can easily detect if a person is carrying a source of radiation and can be hooked to security cameras. Wrist Watch Dosimeters are another radiation detecting device that the Silent Sentry could utilize. When rescue workers enter a burning building or secure a dangerous scene they already have lots of equipment to carry and a million thoughts running through their heads. That's why a wristwatch dosimeter made by companies like Polimaster would be perfect for them to wear. Dosimeters warn individuals of unsafe levels of radiation in the air by creating an alarm sound. The only problem is that most are not able to tolerate high heats that firefighters normally encounter. However there are CO dosimeters currently on the market today for firefighters. Therefore it is likely a dosimeter that can measure radiation at high temperatures could be created by utilizing already discovered technologies. Dosimeters: AXCESS info: Carbon Monoxide Detectors. Aside from radiation detectors, there are also Carbon Monoxide detectors that first responders working within a Silent Sentry system could use. Fire managers and safety officers concerned with smoke exposure among fire crews can use electronic carbon monoxide (CO) monitors to track and prevent overexposure to smoke. Commonly referred to as dosimeters, these lightweight instruments measure the concentration of CO in the air the firefighters’ breathe. When used with the Silent Sentry, these devices could work, like radiation detectors, as devices that could monitor safety or health hazards in the environment that a first responder is working in. Carbon Monoxide Detectors Oxygen Detectors. Oxygen sensors are a very vital piece of equipment for all rescue workers. In numerous occasions in the past, rescue workers have lost their lives by not being able to realize a drop in the level of oxygen in the atmosphere surrounding them. Oxygen sensors are capable of retrieving this information in a matter of seconds. Qubit Systems, a well known manufacturer of various sensors, have two different oxygen sensors, the S101 and S102. Both of these sensors are extremely efficient in presenting the O2 level in the atmosphere, with 90% accuracy in less than 12 seconds.
Qubit Oxygen Sensors: Sure Cell Sensors:
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The
Smart T-shirt is the most integral part of the communication system.
The Smart T-shirt was created by a team at the Georgia Institute
of Technology’s School of Textile and Fiber Engineering lead
by Sundaresan Jayaraman with research funds provided for by the
U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency. The team found a
way to weave fiber optics and electrical conductive thread into
a shirt without damaging the cloth. 
Radiation
Detectors. There are a variety of radiation detectors that
the Silent Sentry could utilize. A new hand held radiation detector
is currently in development at
Toxic gas sensors are also an invaluable tool
for all rescue workers. Their ability to detect fatal gases is extremely
important during any rescue operation. Sixth Sense, one of the worlds
largest toxic gas sensor manufacturer, is the maker of SureCell.
The SureCell sensors are very efficient for rescue operations. Because
of their amperometric design, they will not require any power for
operation. The compactness of the device also make them the ideal
solution.
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