Cipher Skin Inc. Awarded $1.5 Million from the U.S. Department of Defense for SBIR Phase II

The fast-growing data technology company will use the funding to develop and commercialize the BioSleeve, a smart compression sleeve enabling real-time 3D visualization of the body’s complex motions and biometrics.

Cipher Skin Inc., a Colorado-based data technology startup, was awarded a $1.5M contract by the U.S. Department of Defense, as part of the second phase of the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program. This highly competitive program will support the development and commercialization of Cipher Skin’s BioSleeve in partnership with the Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC).

The BioSleeve is a smart compression sleeve designed as a digital tool for physical therapists, trainers, and athletes in the rehab and return-to-play process. The users can visualize, via the Digital Mirror app, real-time complex motion of their knees and arms in three dimensions, along with key metrics such as range of motion and joint angular velocity. All data is automatically stored and managed in the Digital Mirror.

Cipher Skin - Smart sleeve for performance and health

Dr. Shaka Bahadu, Cipher Skin’s Co-Founder – said: “Physical therapists and trainers can rely on fully automated range of motion tests, with the guarantee of highly precise, objective data. With the BioSleeve, they reduce their daily administrative burden by 90% and spend more valuable time with their patients. More than that, they can keep treating them through remote sessions, in the safest and most effective way.”

Cipher Skin quickly drew the AFSOC’s attention with interest from others within the U.S. Special Operations community; the AFSOC plans to assess the BioSleeve to aide in recovery and enhanced physical training by some of the world’s most elite operators.

Dr. Bahadu specified: “On top of measuring complete range of motion, the BioSleeve will soon monitor heart rate and dynamic O₂ saturation, unlocking the complex physiological processes of the body. There is no need for cameras or other bulky equipment – it’s simply clothing. This is definitely a critical tool for our soldiers, from rehab to in-the-field performance.”

With 77% of all injuries within the SOF community being preventable musculoskeletal injuries, the interest from the AFSOC has been extraordinary so far. The ability to monitor variations in O₂ saturation and heart rate, while in motion, through garments only – opens up a world of applications for the military. One of them is hypoxia prevention for parachutists, pilots, and aircrew, a potentially deadly issue faced by our military personnel today.

The secret behind this incredible technology? A patented conductive grid that can be embedded into any garment and integrated with a diverse array of sensors. This unique flexible lattice enables the sensors to conform around the whole body for more accurate measurements.

Dr. Bahadu is delighted about the promising partnership: “We feel honored by this unique opportunity to help improve the safety and performance of our warfighters. Within 18 months, more than 200 BioSleeves will be delivered, assessed, and validated by three units of the U.S. Special Operations during field training.”

In partnership with the U.S. Government, Cipher Skin will also be working on the design of smart leggings as well as a shirt for full-body motion capture and biometric monitoring.

About Cipher Skin

Cipher Skin Inc, www.cipherskin.com, is a Colorado-based company that revolutionizes the way data – on the human body or any physical object – is collected, reported, analyzed, and monitored. Our goal is to provide users with gapless, authentic data that matters most. Based on the team’s cutting-edge expertise in high-quality sensors and analytical tools, Cipher Skin has developed a groundbreaking technology – a cloud-connected sensor mesh, embedded in garments, that measures critical vital signs and tracks movement in three dimensions, creating the Digital Mirror™ of the wearer. Unlimited access to authentic data opens up an exciting world of possibilities to decode human performance and predict injuries and points of failure on any human body or object. Cipher Skin is on the way to disrupt a $700 billion market size including healthcare remote monitoring as well as oil and gas monitoring.

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