When Dr. Atif Shamim began studying electronics in 2002, the notion that he would be developing a wireless, vital signs monitoring system prototype would have seemed highly unlikely. However, after winning investment from the KAUST Seed Fund, Dr Shamim's dreams are now closer to reality.

"Winning the Seed Funding was excellent for the commercialization aspect of the project as three years of hard work went into developing the technology," explained the KAUST Assistant Professor of Electrical Engineering in the Physical Sciences and Engineering Division

"A great deal of time was spent testing and re-working the device in order to bring the technology forward. The device was developed by Dr. Shamim and Dr. Muhammad Arsalan, a KAUST Research Fellow.

Current vital signs monitoring apparatus requires the hospital patient to be connected to a machine though a series of wires to various body parts. This leaves the patient confined to a bed.

The device can also be used to monitor the health of those with vulnerable delicate vital signs, such as the elderly and people with heart difficulties or high blood pressure.

Dr. Shamim and Dr. Arsalan are developing a wireless vital signs monitoring device that integrates non-invasive sensors for blood pressure, heart rate and body temperature measurements. It can be placed on a wrist or other parts of the body.

The device uses low-cost integrated circuit technology and is mounted on a small polymer battery. It comprises vital sign monitoring sensors along with a transmitter circuit that incorporates an on-chip antenna. The electrical properties of the sensors change according to variations in human vital signs, and an equivalent electrical signal is sent to the Bluetooth or Wi-Fi enabled receiving device, like cell phones.

The cell phone, for example, could call 911, medical authorities or a pre-programmed contact (next of kin, local doctor) in case of an emergency.

"The technology works through predefined thresholds of healthy and unhealthy vital signs. The incoming data received by cell phone always reverts back to this threshold," said Dr Shamim.

"The device could be used by senior citizens, athletes who train in isolated places, or mountain climbers and people working under dangerous conditions in remote areas."

A successful prototype with a single sensor has already been tested in a laboratory environment.

In 2008, Dr. Shamim and Dr. Arsalan won an award at the European Wireless Technology Conference for a paper that demonstrated the reduction cell phone power consumption by 1200 per cent. Additionally, in 2007 the pair won the Strategic Microelectronics Council Industrial Collaboration Award for creating the smallest, wireless self-powered cancer treatment dosimeter.

With the help of the Seed Funding, development of a prototype with multiple vital sign monitoring sensors is underway. Once the project is under way, Dr. Shamim will have positions available for KAUST engineers and students to come on board.

Book mark this page and be sure to check back over the coming weeks to find out what inspired other winners' ventures and how they hope to develop their ventures further.

Help for Enterprising Innovators

The Seed Fund Program offers finance and support to students, faculty and staff at KAUST who wish to develop their ideas and discoveries into commercial ventures.

So far the Seed Fund has awarded winners $1,590,283. The first eight recipients were awarded a total of $988,000. The second five recipients have so far been awarded $602,283. All winners receive additional funds from the university to cover administration costs.

Applications for Round Three of the Seed Fund are closed. Applications for Round Four will open during the first quarter of 2011.

To find out more about the Seed Fund Program or the application process, please visit the KAUST portal or email seedfund@kaust.edu.sa.