With the current scenario of the COVID-19 outbreak spreading at a fast pace, scientists, researchers, and engineers around the globe are making continuous efforts by coming up with smart solutions like testing kits, ventilators, wearable devices, and much more. In the recent press release, the West Virginia University Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute, WVU Medicine, and smart ring maker, Oura Health have announced that working on designing a Smart ring to detect COVID-19 virus symptoms and contagiousness. The innovative “digital PPE” approach potentially can identify infected frontline healthcare professionals before they become symptomatic.
Researchers believe this is a possible breakthrough in monitoring capabilities and limiting the spread. This wearable ring technology is an artificial intelligence-driven predictive model not only measures the onset of increased body temperature and other physical symptoms but integrates physiologic measures with psychological, cognitive, and behavioral biometrics like stress and anxiety.
It is the holistic approach that can provide an early and comprehensive assessment, tracking the mind-body connection and homeostasis in the context of asymptomatic infection. This will further help the team to forecast and predict the onset of fever, cough, fatigue, and other physical symptoms linked to viral infections.
The Oura smart rings and the RNI COVID-19 monitoring smartphone app have been deployed to physicians, nurses, and other frontline healthcare workers in the ED, ICU, testing sites, and urgent care settings in West Virginia. Besides, the RNI is partnering with hospitals across New York City, Philadelphia, Nashville and other critical emerging areas to monitor more than 1,000 front-line healthcare personnel with exposure to COVID-19.
This study is not just looking at physical wellbeing but the emotional wellbeing of the healthcare workers too. As far as the accuracy of the smart ring is concerned, it's been considered as unparalleled wearable technology ever tested by the RNI researchers.
