CASE STUDY 3
Project Helix
Case study: A world first for combatting carbon monoxide
- Project reference: NIA_NGN_359
- Project partner: Affotek & Newcastle University
- Project status: In progress
- Overall project value: £100,100
- Innovation theme: Theme: Customer Vulnerability
INNOVATION THEME:
Carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning kills around 40 people and hospitalises 4,000 every year in the UK. Wall-mounted or portable CO alarm products have been available since the late 1900s, to alert people to the danger of the silent killer when at home or at work. However, despite a few advances in the industry, there has never been any wearable devices that can detect carbon monoxide levels - until now.
NGN has partnered with wearable medical technology experts, Affotek in Newcastle, to launch Project Helix, a R&D venture to invent the first ever wristwatch to detect carbon monoxide.
This cutting-edge prototype has been designed in collaboration with scientists from Newcastle University to protect any wearer from the dangers associated with CO via wearable technology.
The device uses tiny sensors to detect if CO is present around its wearer, along with monitoring other vital functions such as heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate and blood oxygen level (similar to a Fitbit or Apple Watch, but with the added bonus of a built-in CO alarm). The wearable device links to a mobile phone app, which alerts the wearer to the life-threatening gas.
The revolutionary watch is able to detect CO as low as 7 PPM (parts per million), giving a much earlier indication of CO in any environment. This high alert is particularly important for pregnant mothers for example, as even low levels of carbon monoxide can damage their unborn child. Wall-mounted and portable CO alarms only measure a presence of CO 40-50 PPM over an eight-hour period, and 400 PPM for 4 to 15 minutes.
Dr Chenna Rajagopal has led the development of the new carbon monoxide detecting watch. He says:
Dr Chenna Rajagopal
"This groundbreaking device will prevent the damage caused by lower levels of CO and ultimately, prevent death, disability and poor health amongst its users.”
Field trials are now underway on the global-first product, made using green and recycled materials, with the aim of bringing it to market in the next 12 months.
Key benefits
- Reduced cases of carbon monoxide poisoning through earlier and more effective detection. Ultimately, the new device will prevent death, disability and poor health amongst its users.
- Eliminates risks associated with current CO detectors, such as customers not installing their CO alarm as per manufacturers’ instructions or false alarms.
- As it’s wearable, the watch will detect CO when the wearer is out and about and in potential higher risk CO situations - e.g. when driving, cycling, or taking part in outdoor activities on roads where air quality is impacted by various emissions.
- Ideal for pregnant women and elderly consumers who are at higher risk of CO poisoning and require more accurate, ‘always on’ testing.
- Increased mental and physical wellbeing from the reassurance of the monitor.
- Improved public awareness of the health risks linked to carbon monoxide poisoning.
