First-aid sensor system: new methods for single-point detection and analysis of vital parameters such as pulse and respiration.

The paper describes a first aid medical sensor system that is able to detect pulse and respiration. According to an opinion poll 79% of unexperienced first aiders were looking forward to use a system that supports them in first aid situations. Such a device has to be reliable and available in everyday use (e.g. as a keychain or in a first-aid kit). Therefore we investigated a single point sensor that is able to detect both respiration and blood flow at the same point of the body, for instance on the neck. Compared to ECG-derived methods absent pulse due to pulseless electrical activity (PEA) will be recognized as such. Tests have shown that the sensor can also be used to detect deglutition and other body motion sequences.