While testing a successful prototype reflectance pulse oximeter, I discovered previously unused variations in the detected light signals in response to briefly breathing nitrogen. Following up on this observation, we have developed and tested a series of prototype sensor designs to optimize the operation of our Cellular Energy Monitor (CE monitor) technology and to explore how this information may provide vital new insights into the operation of the human body in health and when under stress.We have identified several potential medical device applications, ranging from enabling improved outcomes from reperfusion therapy for heart attack, stroke, and organ transplant to prevention of eye, brain, and gut injuries to premature infants. Adult sleep apnea studies at UCSF demonstrated that our armband wearable sensor is more responsive to hypoxic stress during sleep than sleep lab pulse oximetry. Variations in the detected infrared light also offered a more sensitive indication of breathing effort during sleep than sleep lab breathing motion sensor straps. Pediatric and adult hospital patients may also benefit from more effective, comfortable, and convenient monitoring of breathing and oxygen supply during medical and surgical care and during transition to home care.The 1994-1998 CHIME study raw data documents abnormal periodic breathing preceding all alarmed episodes of prolonged apnea in sleeping infants at risk of SIDS/SUID. The CE monitor detects the skin cellular hypoxia induced by abnormal periodic breathing during adult sleep. We are currently developing an infant monitor system using CE monitor technology to enable identification of vulnerable infants and timely intervention to prevent infant deaths from SIDS/SUID.

I had long wanted to return to amateur radio, having had a Novice license, KN7QEY, as a teenager, so in 2008, I took the test and got my Technician license, KE7WAT; later upgraded to Extra, N7WAT. I joined the local club, Bridgerland Amateur Radio Club (BARC), and have enjoyed participating and leading in many of their service and training activities.

Prior to retiring in 2014, I worked as a Mechanical Design Drafter, using SolidWorks software, for Mission Research, which was acquired by ATK (currently Northrup-Grumman). I was one of three mechanical designers responsible for 3D CAD for custom optical research and testing instruments being sold to several major defense, aerospace, and scientific research companies. Technologies included vacuum chamber design, visible and infrared optics, vacuum/cryogenic environment plumbing and motion systems, and electronics equipment racks.

This was an R&D project, with Excalibur Engineering, to create and test an engineering prototype of my Reflectance Oximeter sensor design from 1989. A series of design options were fabricated and successfully tested, revealing optimal dimensions, wavelengths, and operating parameters. This new sensor will eventually be commercialized for use with patients of all ages, including newborn infants. An unexpected photonic response during initial testing is the basis of the current development at Reveal Biosensors.

During my General Pediatrician career, it was my pleasure and privilege to serve the medical needs of several thousand children and their families. It was especially important to me to provide the best and most timely care of distressed infants who were born prematurely. In the effort to optimize resuscitation at birth and continuous critical care support from birth to the NICU, I designed and helped build a custom, in-hospital-mobile infant resuscitation bed system (known locally as “the Hatch-Mobile”), which provided controlled warming and ventilator support for over 200 infants over its 11 years of service.

Working with Excalibur Engineering, LLC, Hyrum, Utah, I designed and helped build a pre-production prototype of the "Hatch-Mobile." This effort formalized several functions in a control panel and advanced the regulation of the infant radiant warming system to achieve a 10-fold improvement in stability over existing technology. A 510(k) application for this system was submitted to the US FDA; receiving approval for marketing in 1984. Financial limitations halted commercialization.