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In-Mask Sensors for Physiological Investigation of Respiratory Exhalation - INSPIRE

Award Information
Agency: Department of Defense
Branch: Defense Health Agency
Contract: W81XWH-17-C-0052
Agency Tracking Number: H16C-002-0036
Amount: $144,946.00
Phase: Phase I
Program: STTR
Solicitation Topic Code: DHP16C-002
Solicitation Number: 2016.0
Timeline
Solicitation Year: 2017
Award Year: 2017
Award Start Date (Proposal Award Date): 2017-05-15
Award End Date (Contract End Date): 2017-11-14
Small Business Information
1585 Marauder St.
Chico, CA 95973
United States
DUNS: 933302655
HUBZone Owned: No
Woman Owned: Yes
Socially and Economically Disadvantaged: No
Principal Investigator
 Susana Carranza, PhD
 Senior Chemical Engineer
 (512) 589-0718
 scarranza@makelengineering.com
Business Contact
 Darby Makel, PhD
Phone: (530) 895-2771
Email: dmakel@makelengineering.com
Research Institution
 Sandia National Laboratories
 Duane L Linder
 
1515 Eubank SE,
Albuquerque, NM 87123
United States

 (925) 294-3306
 Federally Funded R&D Center (FFRDC)
Abstract

Makel Engineering, Inc. and Sandia National Laboratories propose to demonstrate an advanced multi-modal sensor system suitable for in-situ analysis of exhaled VOCs for pilots, divers and field patients. Our proposed system will combine a micro-gas chromatograph (GC) and miniature ion mobility spectrometer (IMS) for detection of trace amounts of exhaled breath VOCs with miniature solid state sensors for inorganic compounds found in breath such as oxygen, carbon dioxide, moisture, nitrogen, argon and helium. High concentrations of supplemental oxygen are used routinely by pilots and divers prior to and during missions to prevent and treat decompression sickness, avoid detection during covert operations, and to support oxygenation following pulmonary injury. However, due to PO2T, exposure limits are imposed to prevent damage to pulmonary tissues. Current policy focuses on preventing PO2T in an operational environment by adhering to exposure limits that were developed based on empirical evidence of PO2T. In reality, individuals will have variable tolerance, and imposed generalized limits often leads to more stringent operational restrictions that required for a given individual, impacting mission readiness. Our system will enable breath analysis on the field in real-time, providing a tool to monitor physiological condition and enable adjusting operational conditions to preventPO2T.

* Information listed above is at the time of submission. *

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