Culture & Entertainment · India Bureau
Student-designed patch could revolutionise CPR delivery during emergencies
A wallet-sized patch developed by University of Washington students uses LED technology to guide rescuers through chest compressions during cardiac emergencies. The innovation has won recognition at a major international competition for student inventors.
LSN India ·
Four undergraduate students have created CPRight, a portable device designed to improve the effectiveness of cardiopulmonary resuscitation by providing real-time guidance to people administering the life-saving technique. The patch, small enough to fit in a wallet, uses LED lights to direct users on the proper depth and rate of chest compressions during emergency situations.
The device represents a significant advancement in emergency response technology, as it eliminates the need for additional equipment while offering precise feedback to rescuers. Traditional CPR training often emphasises the importance of compression depth and rate, factors that can be difficult to maintain accurately under stress. CPRight addresses this challenge by offering immediate visual cues to ensure compressions meet clinical standards.
The invention earned the top undergraduate prize of $10,000 at the 2026 Collegiate Inventors Competition, a prestigious awards programme that recognises innovation from university students across multiple disciplines. The competition also honoured other breakthrough inventions in the fields of cancer treatment, rehabilitation therapies and neurological monitoring systems.
The recognition underscores growing interest in accessible medical technologies that can enhance emergency response capabilities. CPRight's compact design and user-friendly interface make it particularly suited for deployment in public spaces, vehicles and homes, potentially expanding access to quality CPR guidance beyond professional medical settings.