THE USE OF WEARABLE VITAL SIGNS SENSOR TECHNOLOGY FOR EARLY PHYSIOLOGICAL DETECTION AND TRACKING OF VIRAL RESPIRATORY TRACT INFECTIONS

BACKGROUND: Viral respiratory tract infection (VRTI) is the most common illness in humans, resulting in a total economic impact of $40 billion annually in the United States. Taking into consideration the current novel coronavirus pandemic – impacting billions of people around the world, compromising the global economy, and putting extreme pressure on healthcare systems – it is imperative to identify novel ways to both detect and prevent VRTIs such as COVID-19. GOALS: Determine the relationship between infection dynamics, physical activity type and intensity, and short-term effects on physiological and biomechanical performance, as monitored by novel wearable vital-signs sensors. METHODS: A controlled, longitudinal study involving 30 days of continuous monitoring in 60 healthy adults. The advanced, integrative approach will involve several scientific disciplines (kinesiology, virology, immunology, artificial intelligence) and state-of-the-art technologies. VRTI will be induced via controlled human infection (inoculation). Novel infection detection techniques will be based on host?response signatures enabling measurement of inflammatory status dynamics. Activity-monitoring biosensors will continuously and simultaneously monitor physiological and biomechanical parameters. EXPECTED OUTCOMES: This study will deepen our understanding of whether we can detect, or predict subtle changes in vital signs (prior to the onset of symptoms) that correlate with illness onset, progression, and recovery.

Faculty Supervisor:

Dennis Jensen

Student:

Amir Hadid

Partner:

Hexoskin

Discipline:

Kinesiology

Sector:

Manufacturing

University:

McGill University