FLC | BARDA, Sonica Health partner to develop COVID-19 monitoring patch

BARDA, Sonica Health partner to develop COVID-19 monitoring patch

July 2, 2020

The Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) and Sonica Health are expanding their partnership to include early identification of COVID-19 symptoms and other respiratory infections in high-risk clinical populations via wearable sensors.

People infected with SARS-CoV-2 and similar respiratory viruses typically only seek diagnostic tests after exhibiting symptoms. Sonica Health aims to disrupt this healthcare paradigm by detecting infection, especially in high-risk individuals, before the onset of noticeable symptoms, thereby reducing infection transmission.

In conjunction with Northwestern University and Shirley Ryan AbilityLab researchers, the team is creating and implementing a set of symptom-driven algorithms specifically tailored to catch early signs and symptoms associated with COVID-19 and to monitor patients throughout illness. Custom signal processing and machine-learning can reveal subtle, yet critical insight into health status using the continuous streams of data collected and wirelessly transmitted to a data hub. In addition, Sonica Health is working with Sibel Health to offer additional continuous pulse oximetry in one integrated digital health system.

Sonica Health is utilizing a bio-integrated, wearable patch called ADAM. The flexible wireless patch is a thin device about the size of a band-aid that sits at the base of the throat. The device monitors cough intensity and patterns; chest wall movements that can indicate labored or irregular breathing; other respiratory sounds; heart rate; physical activity; and temperature. Sonica Health will now expand this platform to include the option to deploy Sibel Health’s ANNETM One platform—this ICU-grade wearable sensor system offers the ability to add continuous pulse oximetry and electrocardiography.

In a team effort, Sonica will be conducting clinical studies among healthcare providers using these breakthrough, soft, and flexible sensors with the goal of developing infection detection algorithms for COVID-19. The overall goal is Food and Drug Administration (FDA) clearance for a platform encompassing the sensors, algorithm, and software package as an early warning system for SARS-CoV-2 contraction, and prognosis, helping reduce the transmission of the infection through early detection.