Filling gaps in patient monitoring in challenging environments

Medical personnel working on the frontlines face extremely challenging conditions – from limited infrastructure and difficult terrain to operating under constant threat. In this environment, every technological advantage counts. cosinuss°’ small and lightweight patient monitoring solution consisting of an in-ear sensor paired with the cosinuss° Health App has proven to be a vital asset for paramedics and medics in these situations.

In close collaboration with partners such as Medic Tool, CoROM (college of remote and offshore medicine foundation), MKM SERVICE LTD, and Tactical Medicine NORTH, cosinuss° has delivered several sensor units to frontline teams in Ukraine. Over the recent months we could gather invaluable feedback from the users, using our system in military medical evacuation missions.

The cosinuss° monitoring technology, consisting of the in-ear sensor c-med° alpha and the mobile application cosinuss° Health, offers an innovative and compact solution for mobile patient monitoring. The sensor records pulse rate, oxygen saturation and body temperature in the patient’s ear canal, supplemented by the additional data perfusion and quality index. Thanks to the additional display of the PPG signal, further information can be provided and precise monitoring can be carried out. With a weight of only 6.5 g, a size of 4.5 cm and wireless Bluetooth transmission, the c-med° alpha can be taken anywhere – even in remote areas with no internet connection.

Frontline medical teams have expressed their gratitude for the opportunity to test this innovative solution. Their feedback confirms that the cosinuss° patient monitoring system offers significant benefits in mobile monitoring, opening up new possibilities for patient care even in the most challenging operational settings.

“We monitor the evacuation of moderately and lightly injured patients using cosinuss° Health”, reported Vlad Chumachenko, Tactical Medicine Instructor, Tactical Medicine NORTH. According to statements from other paramedics on-site, the cosinuss° solution enables medical teams to assess patient conditions more accurately and make informed decisions in real time. This capability is critical in ensuring that patients receive the appropriate level of care under extreme circumstances.

Photos were provided by our several partner organizations and the users.

The c-med° alpha sensors have proven especially helpful in managing multiple casualties simultaneously. Its small dimensions allow medical teams to carry several monitors with them to be able to monitor several patients in the field. They also use the more cost-efficient and mobile technology inside medical facilities particularly for those who are stable with minor injuries, ensuring that more intensive monitoring resources (such as ICU monitors) are reserved for patients in critical need.

Monitoring of patients with the c-med° alpha and the °Health app. Photos by MKM SERVICE LTD.

The integrated features in the cosinuss° Health App enhance usability by allowing clinicians to set custom notifications based on the vital parameter thresholds. This capability ensures that any changes in a patient’s condition are promptly communicated, providing an additional layer of safety in dynamic and high-pressure environments.

In cases where patients exhibit hypothermia without major trauma, the device has demonstrated its utility, too. Medics at the frontlines state that traditional finger probes very often yield less accurate readings under such conditions, the cosinuss° solution has proven to be a valuable alternative in monitoring these patients effectively.

Photo by Tactical Medicine North

The cosinuss° system excels even in scenarios where patients have multiple tourniquets applied to the upper extremities or are suffering from wounds that may impair distal perfusion and thus measurements at the finger. Additionally, it proves to be an essential monitoring tool during spontaneous prolonged field care situations, where it also provides critical data for telemedicine consultations.

Medics from the field have also expressed further wishes and ideas for future developments. While our technology is already highly effective in challenging environments, blood pressure as a parameter as well as the integration of telemedical capabilities would help their work immensely. cosinuss° is taking these ideas very seriously and is already actively working on said features.

The insights gained from medics in Ukraine reinforce cosinuss°’ commitment to supporting medical professionals operating in challenging environments. By advancing mobile patient monitoring technology, we are making critical care accessible where no alternatives exist. We remain dedicated to working closely with on-site medics and our partners to continuously evolve our solutions—ensuring that our technology not only meets today’s demands but is also prepared for the challenges of tomorrow.