SBIR-STTR Award

In a CDC-sponsored SBIR Grants 2000 Phase I Solicitation, proof-of-concept of the patented wearable Eye Com-6 Biosensor-Communicator-Controller (EC-6) as a reliable drowsiness detection tool was demonstrated. Consisting of 2 IR-sensitive microcameras, IR eye-illuminating LED's and detectors affixed to a wrap-around eye frame 2-3 cm from each eye, its binocular Eye-See (tm) software tracked black/white pupillary, eyelid and eye ball movements, while displaying in electronic form, 8 of over 20 possible oculometrics (e.g. eyeblink velocity [EBV], acceleration [EBA], duration [EBD],percent of time eyes closed/open[PERCLOS/PEROP], eye movement velocity [EMV], gaze fixation, ocular dwell time, accomodation and vergence). For this US Army A04-191 Phase I proposal, an already-built tethered EC-7 and futuristic wireless EC-8, each consisting of 2 fiber-optic endo-probes (directed to the eyes) and a single fiberoptic exo-probe (directed away from the EC wearer's helmet, eye-gear, night scopes, etc.), will be coupled either to a 60Hz or 500-750Hz micro-camera, respectively, for low (e.g. EBD, EBF, PERCLOS) or high speed (e.g. saccadic eye movement velocity) oculometric analysis. The soldier mounted EC-7/8 Biosensors, functional under all lighting conditions and in unlimited domains (i.e. stationary or in motion), will be integrated with EEG, PSG, EKG and Performance Vigilance Testing (PVT) results in the same EC-6 PVT Test Bed and Oculometric Monitoring Station used in CDC Phase I. In Phase II EC-7 and EC-8 will be used to develop an integrated Composite Oculometric Fatigue Index (EC COFI [tm]) safety-response algorithm in a Drive/Flight Simulator. The soldier-worn EC-7/8 and COFI [tm] algorithm will: 1) identify and respond to potential or actual operational performance failure situations including inattentiveness, drowsiness, micro-sleep intrusions or loss of consciousness; 2) transmit oculometric signals to a remotely placed "black box" recorder; 3) trigger a vibro-tactile seat (i.e. the EC Rumble Seat [tm])or warning system; and 4) by purposeful or reflexive ocular movements, operate augmentative communication and control programs (i.e. an EC Eye Mouse[tm]) for soldiers, pilots or the disabled for hands-free operations

In a CDC-sponsored SBIR Grants 2000 Phase I Solicitation, proof-of-concept of the patented wearable Eye Com-6 Biosensor-Communicator-Controller (EC-6) as a reliable drowsiness-detection tool was demonstrated. Consisting of 2 IR-sensitive microcameras, IR eye-illuminating LED's and detectors affixed to a wrap around eye frame 2-3 cm from each eye, its binocular Eye-See [tm] software tracked black/white pupil, eyelid and eye ball movements, while displaying in electronic form, 8 of over 20 possible oculometrics (e.g. eye blink velocity [EBV], acceleration [EBA], duration [EBD], percent of time eyes closed/open [PERCLOS/PEROP], eye movement velocity [EBV], gaze fixation, ocular dwell time, accomodation and vergence. In US Army A04-191 SBIR Phase I, a tethered EC-7 consisting of 2 fiberoptic endo-probes (directed to the eyes) and a single fiberoptic exo-probe (directed away from the EC wearer)was attached to a soldier's helmet and night-vision scopes and coupled to 30-60 Hz as well as 500-1000 Hz micro-cameras for low (e.g. EBD, EBF, PERCLOS)to high (e.g. nystagmoid & saccadic velocity, pupillary latency response) speed oculometric analysis. EC-7 operated well under day and night-time ambient lighting with and without head movement, proving its potential to monitor a soldier's or pilot's eyes under all mobile and stationary environmental conditions and domains. The now U.S.-patented helmet-mounted EC-7 was integrated with EEG, PSG and EKG in a specially designed Drive/Flight Simulator installed in the WSDC for Performance Vigilance Testing (PFT) which will be conducted on sleep-deprived soldiers and civilians in SBIR Phase II. In SBIR Phase II, EC-7 & EC-8, a non-tethered ergonomically-designed wireless version, will be used to develop a complete systems-integrated Composite Oculometric Fatigue Index (COFI)safety-response algorithm within the WSDC Drive/Flight Simulator using a combination of EC-generated oculometric and other physiological (e.g. EEG, PSG,actigraphy) and cognitive performance Drive Simulator Test (i.e. PVT) measures. A parallel study in a dedicated UH-60 flight simulator will be conducted on sleep deprived helicopter pilots. The EC-7/8 COFI will eventually be able to: 1) identify and respond to portential or actual operational performance failure including inattentiveness, drowsiness, micro-sleep intrusions or loss of consciousness due to any cause (e.g. G-LOC, toxic poison exposure, hypoxia, seizures, etc.); 2) transmit oculometric signals to a remotely placed "black box" recorder or receiving station; 3) trigger a vibro-tactile seat (e.g. EC Rumble Seat-tm) or warning system; and 4) operate augmentative communication, control & computer programs, electromechanical devices and heads-up or head-mounted displays by means of its EC Eye-Mouse-tm functions for healthy and disabled soldiers, pilots and civilians in hands-free operations.