Omni-Directional Blast Dosimeter Navy SBIR FY2012.3 Sol No.: Navy SBIR FY2012.3 Topic No.: N123-152 Topic Title: Omni-Directional Blast Dosimeter Proposal No.: N123-152-0054 Firm: Physical Optics Corporation Electro-Optics Systems Division 1845 West 205th Street Torrance, California 90501-1510 Contact: Leonid Bukshpun Phone: (310) 320-3088 Web Site: www.poc.com Abstract: To address the Navy's need for a blast dosimeter, Physical Optics Corporation (POC) proposes to develop a new wearable omni-directional blast dosimeter (OMNIBLAS) for accurate blast pressure monitoring. The miniature badge-like dosimeter (~2 in. x 1 in. x 0.5 in., 6 oz) consists of a miniature direction-insensitive blast sensor and a low-power processing board with an embedded pressure-acceleration decoupling algorithm for accurate blast pressure measurements. The innovation in the integration of a pressure sensor and advanced signal processing will enable the OMNIBLAS to accurately measure blast pressure while mounted on a warfighter. The OMNIBLAS technology will allow the USMC to accurately sense, measure, and store blast exposure levels warfighters face using a low maintenance lightweight device. As a result, this device offers long-term monitoring and documenting of blast exposure for Breacher and route clearance personnel, which directly address the Warfighter PPE EOD ensemble requirements. In Phase I, POC will demonstrate the feasibility of OMNIBLAS by design, simulation, and testing of the pressure sensor. POC plans in Phase II to integrate the components into a prototype suitable for independent field testing by the Navy. Benefits: It is difficult to assess the true extent of a blast injury because there may be no obvious external indication of severe blast injury, and long-term health effects in particular are easily overlooked. The impact of sudden changes in atmospheric pressure on highly sensitive organs, including the brain and the lungs, is poorly understood. Rapid pressure changes can cause rupture in the hollow organs of the body, including the ears, lungs, sinuses, and the organs in the abdominal cavity. Explosive blasts can also cause traumatic brain injury (TBI), possibly disrupting neural pathways. OMNIBLAS will provide quantitatively reliable indicators of medically relevant blast parameters that will allow researchers to build extensive databases to understand correlations between blast levels and specific health effects. In addition to improving medical care, a better understanding of explosion blast injury mechanisms will result in improvements in the design of protective gear for military and commercial use. Return