SBIR-STTR Award

We propose to develop a new type of digital intercom system that will improve the care and well being of residents in assisted living centers and nursing homes. The intercom system is based on digital technology and network theory, which means that a variety of non-verbal information can be communicated between residents and a central control station in addition to the voice communications expected with typical intercoms. Several examples utilizing this digital information are discussed in the proposal. We will specifically study one application associated with tracking the status of diabetic residents. For the Phase I Grant, the basic intercom will be designed and a prototype system will be constructed. That prototype will be installed in an assisted living center and data will be collected from a group of 20 Diabetic residents for a three month period . Assuming success with the Phase I results, in Phase II we would develop a range of additional applications and then evaluate the efficacy and utility of those applications. In addition to these new and novel applications of information exchange, this system will also have improved voice communications and will be more economical than traditional intercom systems. PROPOSED COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS: The digital intercom system will have an important application in nursing homes and assisted living centers by providing a range of useful monitoring functions for the care staff, in addition to providing normal audio communications. Initially, the system will be used to monitor blood glucose testing and enhance medication administration for a population of diabetic patients

The long-term objective of this project is to develop a new and novel medical monitoring device aimed at benefiting a large class of diabetic individuals. The new device is being called an "Assisted Self- Management Monitor." There are many diseases, such as diabetes, which are considered "self-managed" diseases. With diabetes, it is expected that patients measure and monitor their own blood glucose levels, their own medication administration, and their own diet and exercise programs. When patients properly and actively manage their own disease, they will minimize the disease progression. Otherwise, the effects can be tragic in terms of disease progression and health care costs. Mismanaged diabetes will eventually put the patient at risk for coronary artery disease, stroke, kidney failure, blindness, and peripheral vascular disease. Furthermore, there is often a significant time lag between when a patient collects self-care information and when a medical staff is made aware of that information. The new device underdevelopment is designed to actually monitor and evaluate how well patients are self-managing their disease, and then provide feedback to the care staff and the patient when irregularities are detected. Initially, the system is intended to help diabetic patients living in an assisted living setting. The new device will automatically transfer a patient's glucose reading and medication usage information from his or her quarters to a central station. There, the information will be compared to a personal profile that has been developed for each individual patient. When something of concern is detected, the monitor will notify the care staff with an appropriate message on a computer screen. However, the resident will also be notified with a prerecorded voice message that pertains to the given condition.

Thesaurus Terms:
biomedical equipment development, computer assisted patient care, diabetes mellitus, monitoring device, residential care facility, self care, telemedicine blood glucose, computer assisted diagnosis, computer system design /evaluation, therapy compliance clinical research, human subject