GOLDen hour extended EVACuation (GOLDEVAC)

Background
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is soliciting innovative proposals for the GOLDEVAC program, which aims to develop intravascular gas-exchange and trauma resuscitation through a single intravascular cannula. The proposed research should enable revolutionary advances in managing a polytrauma patient through a single intravascular access without thrombotic complications associated with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. The program is focused on achieving resuscitation support through a single cannula that could be operationally deployed in field conditions.

Work Details
The work under Phase I involves designing a cannula and gas exchange strategy to support effective hemodynamic resuscitation with compromised lung function. The performer must demonstrate bleeding and oxygenation support separately in two different animal model tests, consolidate into a single cannula for combined hemorrhage and oxygenation support in Phase II, engage with the FDA regarding the regulatory process, and capture design constraints and key system requirements for a future portable form factor.
Phase II requires integrating the oxygenation and hemorrhage support into a single cannula, demonstrating the combined cannula’s ability to provide effective resuscitation and casualty support in a polytrauma scenario, refining the cannula as-needed to address the Phase II polytrauma injury model via single access point, engaging with IV&V team, and submitting an Investigational Device Exemption (IDE) to the FDA for their final Phase II cannula design and gas exchange design by the end of this phase.

Period of Performance
Phase I has a period of 18 months, while Phase II has a period of 12 months.