VENTURA, Calif., April 10 /PRNewswire/ -- Thermo-Electron, Inc. and VivoMetrics, Inc. have combined forces to deliver the first real-time monitoring ensemble which brings together three critical elements to aid first responders and hazardous material workers. The real-time monitoring system (http://www.vivometrics.com/responder/press_images.html) is worn beneath hazmat protective gear and combines the Thermo Matrix CNET mesh network with environmental hazard detection, global positioning, and the VivoMetrics LifeShirt(R) 300 system, which monitors a broad range of physiological functions.
The LifeShirt 300 from VivoMetrics, is a simple-to-use chest strap that monitors breath rate, heart rate, activity, posture and skin temperature continuously and in real-time. This device has been specifically designed for first responders, fire fighters and military given its light-weight comfortable form factor and the ability to put it on in seconds. The LifeShirt has a 10-day battery and transmits the physiologic data that commanders need to make quick decisions.
Data from the LifeShirt is integrated with a Thermo-Electron radiation dosimeter, which continuously collects radiation exposure information and a Global Positioning System (GPS) radio uplink that transmits workers’ geographic location. Data is transmitted wirelessly using a Thermo Electron “Mote,” an ad-hoc self-healing mesh network that uses each responder’s radio as a network node. As responders spread out across the incident zone, a constantly evolving network allows all data to be sent to the incident command center which can have a stand-off distance up to two miles from the clean-up incident. Additional Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear and Explosive (CBRNE) detectors can be easily added to the system.
“The real-time critical data streaming to field commanders will change the way hazmat workers, fire fighters, miners and first responders do their jobs,” said Joe Leon, Director of Global Sales for Thermo Electron. “Now incident field commanders will know specifics about the environmental hazards their team is exposed to and how each member’s body is reacting to it.”
The first group to field the new system is an elite military hazmat team. They completed product acceptance testing for the first 50 systems on March 9, 2006.
“In the past, field commanders had no way to track radiation exposure and physiology of their team in real-time. Now, commanders can see each responder, represented on a satellite map by a color-coded dot -- green, yellow or red, depending on an individual’s acceptable pre-determined thresholds,” said Andrew Behar, President of VivoMetrics Government Services. “Field commanders need to know what is happening to their team in real-time. First responders deserve the best possible gear, and we have delivered it. We’re extremely proud to be a part the effort to provide this innovative technology.”
About Thermo-Electron
Thermo Electron Corporation is the world leader in analytical instruments. Our instrument solutions enable our customers to make the world a healthier, cleaner and safer place. Thermo’s Life and Laboratory Sciences segment provides analytical instruments, scientific equipment, services and software solutions for life science, drug discovery, clinical, environmental and industrial laboratories. Thermo’s Measurement and Control segment is dedicated to providing analytical instruments used in a variety of manufacturing processes and in-the-field applications, including those associated with safety and homeland security. For more information, visit http://www.thermo.com.
About VivoMetrics
VivoMetrics is the world leader in ambulatory physiologic monitoring devices for first responders, pharmaceutical clinical trials and academic research. The LifeShirt system is a light-weight, comfortable garment worn during activities of daily living that continuously measures a wide range of physiologic parameters. This technology enables first responders to transmit vital real-time physiologic information to incident command centers; pharmaceutical companies to improve the speed and economics of clinical research; and academic researchers to discover new clinical signatures of disease. For more information, visit http://www.vivometrics.com/responder.
Elizabeth Thomas Vice President of Sales & Marketing VivoMetrics Inc. 805.275.5834 ethomas@vivometrics.com Paulina Piekarski Connors Communications for VivoMetrics 212.798.1407 917.747.6687 paulina@connors.com
VivoMetrics, Inc.
CONTACT: Elizabeth Thomas, Vice President of Sales & Marketing ofVivoMetrics Inc., +1-805-275-5834, ethomas@vivometrics.com; or PaulinaPiekarski of Connors Communications, +1-212-798-1407, +1-917-747-6687, orpaulina@connors.com, for VivoMetrics, Inc.
