Sepsis is an overwhelming blood infection and when coupled with shock has a mortality rate of nearly 50 percent. In addition, current methods to identify and treat sepsis may take over 48 hours. DARPA has a research program studying how to limit the impact of sepsis on U.S. soldiers through their “Dialysis-Like Therapeutics (DLT) program.
The aim of the DLT program is to develop a portable device capable of controlling relevant components in the entire blood volume on clinically relevant time scales. The device has to be able to remove dirty blood from the body, separate harmful agents, and return clean blood to the body in a manner similar to when dialysis treatment is used for kidney failure.
DARPA’s Microsystems Technology Office solicitation (DARPA-BAA-12-36) issued on May 10, 2012, is seeking innovative ideas on how to integrate the key component technologies developed in the DLT program into a functioning device that can treat sepsis across the military health system. These key technologies include sensors, complex fluid manipulation, architectures, separation technologies, and closed-loop controllers developed under a previous Broad Agency Announcement.
Applicants eligible to submit proposals include Historically Black colleges and Universities (HBCU), Small Businesses, and Small Disadvantaged Businesses and Minority Institutions.
The Broad Agency Announcement “Dialysis Like therapeutics (DLT) –Integration is due July 13, 2012. For more information, go to http://www.fbo.gov/. The primary contact is Dr. Timothy Broderick, Program Manager at DARPA-BAA-12-36@darpa.mil.
