METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR THE NON-INVASIVE RECORDING OF MARINE MAMMAL SLEEP IN THE WILD

Background

Understanding of biophysical processes in marine mammals, like elephant seals, is limited by our ability to monitor wild behavior. Elephant seals spend the majority of their life at sea, reaching depths of over 1500 m that challenge even the most recent advances in biometric monitoring devices. Many existing devices for monitoring electrophysical signals in seals are also invasive and require skin or skull perforation for electrode implantation. A UC Santa Cruz researcher has designed a water-resistant, non-invasive device that can withstand pressures of 3000 psi and is capable of monitoring over twenty electrophysiological signals in wild elephant seals.

Technology Description

The device uses surface-mounted electrodes for neurological signal detection in marine mammals. A neoprene headcap is used together with neoprene patches to place electrodes, which can detect markers such as brain activity, heart rate, eye movement, and muscle movement. The electrodes are routed to a portable, water-resistant data logging device.

Nine different electrophysiological channels (electroencephalogram, electrooculogram, electromyogram, and electrocardiogram) are monitored and can be paired with other channels for a range of biometric measurements.

Applications

• Biotelemetry measurements in marine mammals, particularly elephant seals

Advantages

• Non-invasive
• Pressure-proofed to 3000 psi (depths of roughly 1 mile)
• Ethical 

Intellectual Property Information

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