Hands-Free Medical Assistance Software Aids Emergency Treatment

Originally Published MDDI February 2003

R&D DIGEST

NASA has awarded a grant to study the feasibility of a portable, hands-free device for emergency medical decision-making support to be used in space by nonphysicians. The Phase One contract award was granted to ibex Healthdata Systems Inc. (Rosemont, IL) and Johns Hopkins University. The device is intended to allow the space shuttle crew to treat a patient while receiving verbal instruction, guidance, and helpful graphic representations.

According to John Epler, chief technical officer of ibex Healthdata Systems, “Phase One will entail the development of a voice-activated device that will utilize an intelligent algorithm to provide guidance in establishing an emergent airway for a patient in space. The interactive hands-free software will process requests for assistance based on verbal prompts and algorithmic decision-making.” He adds that the first phase will focus “on validation of the proposed technology, as well as development of the necessary software and hardware into a beta-type device.” 

Successful Phase One results could support a Phase Two grant. In that phase, the focus would be on producing the first-generation software and hardware for hands-free, interactive medical decisions. Says Epler, “This has enormous implications beyond the space program and could provide laypersons with a simple way to get important medical information in order to treat injury and illness when access to trained medical personnel is not available.”

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