Research Report - Completed Sleep & Safety Study Report
This report summarizes Medforall's DODD-funded project on privacy-first thermal sensor monitoring for nighttime safety. From executive overview to technical achievements and future steps, explore how we're advancing care for people with disabilities.
Executive Overview - Advancing Nighttime Safety Through Innovation
Nighttime often brings anxiety for people with complex medical needs and their families due to staffing shortages and preventable tragedies. Our project developed a privacy-first thermal sensor system, awarded in March 2024 and running through January 2025. Deployed in 15 sites, it showed strong performance and acceptance.
Moving forward, we plan a pilot deployment covering an additional 100-200 beds across homes, community-based services, and intermediate care facilities (ICFs). This will validate the system's effectiveness at scale, enhance features like advanced event detection, and pave the way for statewide adoption.
- Advanced Hardware Compact, robust sensors with versatile mounting.
- Tailored AI Privacy-focused algorithms for posture detection and tracking.
- Integrated Platform Edge-cloud infrastructure with intuitive iOS app for real-time alerts.
- Protecting Vulnerabilities Rapid detection for immediate intervention.
- Empowering Peace of Mind Reliable insights to reduce caregiver anxiety.
Imagine a future where technology ensures restful nights, preventing emergencies and fostering independence for vulnerable individuals.
Real-World Validation - From Concept to Care: A Look Inside Our Pilot Sites
Technology is only as valuable as its real-world impact. To prove our system's effectiveness, we partnered with 15 diverse care sites, seamlessly integrating our thermal sensors into the unique living spaces of individuals. The following gallery provides a transparent look at these deployments, showcasing the system's adaptability and our commitment to enhancing safety while respecting the sanctity of home.
Key Achievements - Project Accomplishments
Our team achieved key milestones in building a reliable, privacy-centric monitoring solution.
- Reliable Event Detection Pipeline Secure infrastructure for data labeling, validation, and real-time thermal data analysis.
- Privacy-First Design Thermal-only imaging ensures complete anonymity while enabling critical event detection.
- Advanced Sensor Hardware Durable, versatile sensors with fixed and adjustable mounting for diverse environments and future upgrades.
- Robust Algorithm Training Validated AI for accurate detection of nuanced postures and movements.
- Comprehensive Integration Scalable platform for secure real-time data handling, notifications, and enhancements.
- Deployment Insights Enhanced versatility with multiple orientations, privacy covers, and modular components for safety and cost efficiency.
Innovation - Technical Achievements
Innovative advancements in app, hardware, AI, and updates drove the project's success.
- Thermal Insight App Secure in-house tool for data management, human review, and AI training, maintaining integrity and security.
- Hardware Innovations Reduced instability by 30%, added flexible mounting, and ensured backward compatibility for seamless updates.
- AI Advancements Privacy-focused algorithms using thermal data for accurate posture and event detection without compromising anonymity.
- Over-the-Air (OTA) Updates Remote capabilities for quick feature, security, and performance improvements across deployments.
Problem Solving - Challenges and Opportunities
We overcame obstacles to create a more robust and user-friendly system.
- Sensor Reliability Addressed early crashes with firmware refinements, reducing issues by 30% across sites.
- High-Concurrency Streaming Optimized code and infrastructure to cut latency by 20%, enabling near real-time monitoring.
- Installation Barriers Designed adjustable mounts and privacy shutters for adaptability in varied setups.
- Privacy Preservation Balanced safety and anonymity using thermal imaging and focused algorithms.
- User-Centric Design Developed an intuitive app with advanced features for caregivers of all technical levels.
Future Vision - Use Cases and Next Steps
Our solution offers immediate benefits and exciting future potential, helping visitors envision a safer tomorrow.
Immediate Use Cases:
- Secure real-time live viewing for caregivers.
- Annotated recordings and sharing for medical documentation.
- Automated health reports on sleep trends.
Future Enhancements:
- Auto-compiled event summaries (e.g., seizures) for physicians.
- Integrated secure sharing with healthcare providers.
- Remote monitoring integration to reduce cognitive load and automate documentation.
Next Steps
Pilot deployment for 100-200 beds, validating scalability and features for statewide adoption.
Impact - Results
The project delivered tangible outcomes and positive user feedback.
- Companion App Enables secure real-time viewing and feedback to enhance accuracy.
- Thermal Insight Supports post-processing of sensor data for review and model training.
- Data Collection Optimized pipelines improved AI performance and system reliability.
- User Reception Positive responses from all 15 sites, with families expressing readiness for broader adoption and noting "peace of mind we never thought possible."
Summary - Conclusion
This project demonstrated that innovative, privacy-first technology can transform overnight care. Successful deployments at 15 sites provided reliable real-time insights, preserved dignity, alleviated anxiety, and improved safety. These achievements lay the groundwork for broader adoption, fostering a future of safer, more compassionate support for vulnerable populations.
"This system has given us peace of mind we never thought possible."