Program Manager: Cindy Daniell, Ph.D.
The goal of the Deep Bleeder Acoustic Coagulation (DBAC) program is to develop a portable, lightweight, noninvasive, automated system for the detection, localization, and coagulation of deep bleeders that is operable by minimally trained personnel in the combat environment. The DBAC system will cover the full range of life-threatening bleeders―from the fast bleeder, which causes progressive shock in 30 seconds, to the slow bleeder, which causes progressive shock in 8 hours. Notable progress to date includes―
- Doppler-based automated bleed detection algorithms. Software is based on unique spectral and power Doppler bleeder signatures that, when coupled to volumetric data, allows for automated bleed detection and localization.
- Extensive modeling and testing of high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) delivery and dosing. Results show that tissue can be raised to within the range of 70 °C to 95 °C to safely achieve acoustic hemostasis within an operationally relevant timeframe of 30 seconds.
- Creation of unique materials to enable the testing of the DBAC devices on a full-sized leg mockup. Materials include blood mimicking fluids and tissue mimicking phantoms capable of enduring the high temperatures produced by HIFU devices. In addition, minimally perturbing thermal sensors monitor temperature rise in these phantoms, and new computational techniques extend the usefulness of these phantoms.
- Device conformability and future field use. Current work is under way to incorporate flexible material and lightweight components into the mechanical structure of the device.
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