Sensor Probe Implementation

Most modern military casualties entail shock, including hemorrhage, burns, heat stroke, and sepsis. Identifying shock accurately and promptly, after injury and during resuscitation efforts, will sharply reduce morbidity and mortality. The body's principal homeostatic response to shock is the diversion of blood flow away from the splanchnic viscera towards critical organs, such as the brain. The resultant mesenteric hypoperfusion produces intestinal mucosal ischemia, reflected by a decrease in mucosal and intraluminal p02 and a reciprocal increase in pC02. In this proposal, we offer to design (and in Phase II, implement) a sensor to measure the intraluminal gas tension of C02 and 02: a quantitative and direct early warning system for shock states. ANTICIAPTED BENEFITS: The technique is markedly superior to current modes of shock monitoring and has obvious dual-use potential for saving lives in both military & civilian surgical, emergency and intensive care settings. The nearly 20 million civilian cases require monitoring for shock in the U.S. annually would benefit from using our porposed sensor in hospitals or first aid situations.