California-based LifeSignals Group has announced that a single use, wireless biosensor patch for the early detection and monitoring of coronavirus symptoms is being fast tracked for introduction within weeks.

Based on a proven cardiovascular monitoring platform, the Biosensor Patch 1AX, simply affixed on the chest, will record temperature, respiration rate, ECG trace, heart rate and movement in real time.

The data are sent wirelessly from the patch and displayed in real time on an app on the user’s phone. If symptoms develop, the data can be sent to a secure cloud platform enabling healthcare authorities to introduce effective general population remote screening for groups including those in quarantine, patients in care home facilities and vulnerable high-risk people in their own homes.

LifeSignals is also targeting June for the Biosensor Patch 2A, which captures, stores and streams clinical-grade vital signs data including SpO₂. This will allow recovering coronavirus patients in intensive care units to be moved to lower dependency wards, off-site medical facilities and back to their own homes confident their vital sign data are being continually monitored in real time.

Allowing patients to be monitored in their own homes will also optimise use of scarce medical resources and free up hospital beds.

This biosensor technology can overcome the restrictions of using wireless devices within a hospital environment. The patches can be worn for up to five days and safely disposed, reducing the risk of cross-contamination.

“As soon as the serious nature of the Covid-19 outbreak became apparent, we started investigating where our wireless biosensor technology could help,” said Surendar Magar, CEO of LifeSignals. “We identified two key areas where healthcare systems are choked – consumers calling in about symptoms they are experiencing and lack of critical care hospital beds – and have designed these two biosensor patches which are suitable for mass production.”

To ensure the biosensor patches become widely available, LifeSignals has created a fully interoperable technology that can be integrated into most health monitoring platforms, apps and healthcare systems.

“We are actively seeking companies and organisations to partner with to bring clinical-grade remote monitoring to a much wider patient base, helping reduce the burden on healthcare systems,” said Magar.