GOLDen hour extended EVACuation (GOLDEVAC)

Background
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is soliciting innovative proposals in the technical area of intravascular gas-exchange and trauma resuscitation through a single intravascular cannula. The proposed research should investigate innovative approaches to develop the necessary device(s) to enable management of a polytrauma patient through a single intravascular access without thrombotic complications associated with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.

Grant Details
The program aims to test whether it is possible to manage a complex polytrauma patient, starting near the point of injury and continuing throughout the evacuation process, via a single intravascular cannula that can be placed by a field medic. The proposed research should focus on developing the foundational cannula and gas exchange technology that, when combined with advances in algorithms for closed-loop critical care and miniaturization of supporting hardware, would bring advanced medical care to near point of injury and continue throughout the entire evacuation process.

The program will use a phased acquisition approach comprising an 18-month Phase I and a 12-month Phase II option period. The Phase I will focus on designing a cannula and gas exchange strategy that can support effective hemodynamic resuscitation with compromised lung function, while Phase II will integrate the oxygenation and hemorrhage support into a single cannula. The program metrics include demonstrating in vivo resuscitation of a large animal uncontrolled hemorrhage for > 6 hours, oxygenation for ≥ 24 hours with oxygen transfer rate ≥ 75 mL/min, and survival ≥ 48 hours with lung injury and 6 hours controlled hemorrhage.

Eligibility Requirements
The solicitation is open to proposer teams with expertise in cannula design, closed-loop controls, hemodynamics, biocompatible coatings, medical trauma and resuscitation, large animal models, physiological monitoring and modeling, systems engineering, etc. Proposer teams must submit a single, integrated proposal led by a Principal Investigator (PI), under a single prime contractor that addresses all program phases.

Period of Performance
The program is expected to start in November 2024.

Grant Value
Not specified