Even though all dental patients are exposed to a level of risk, there is currently no way to monitor their stability during their procedures. Designed to solve this problem, the Sensors Integrated into Dental Treatment is a system that consists of three devices planted at various locations in a dental chair. Each device consists of an electromagnetic conductivity sensor and an optical coupling sensor that monitor dental patients in a nonintrusive manner. Taking data from these six sensor channels, this project aims to design and implement an algorithm to reconstruct patient heart rate and breathing rate from sensor signals. If successful, this system could be used for a variety of applications where noncontact sensors could provide valuable data without interfering with regular activity.

“I am excited to participate in SuperUROP because it will allow me to contribute to interdisciplinary research. I want to apply the theoretical concepts from my past signal processing classes and use them to leave a positive impact in the biomedical field. Through this project, I will gain the experience and communication skills necessary to be more successful as a researcher.”