In-vivo measurement of gas bubble formation Navy STTR FY2007 Sol No.: Navy STTR FY2007 Topic No.: N07-T038 Topic Title: In-vivo measurement of gas bubble formation Proposal No.: N074-038-0269 Firm: TIAX LLC 15 Acorn Park Cambridge, Massachusetts 02140-2301 Contact: Vernon Shrauger Phone: (617) 498-5172 Web Site: http://www.TIAXLLC.com Abstract: We propose the development of an in-vivo bubble detection system that will measure the evolution of gas bubbles in biological tissue and blood. Our approach utilizes established commercial technology with advanced imaging techniques to permit visualization of microbubble formation without entering the body. The sensor will be able to quantify the size and density of bubbles as they evolve and will be used as a tool to help study microbubble formation in an effort to correlate them to decompression sickness (DCS). The technology allows the proposed sensor to be lightweight, low-power, compact, wearable and self-contained. With an eventual DCS correlation, the portability and method of the proposed bubble sensor will ultimately enable personalized dive parameter calculation so divers can operate optimally and safely within their physiological limits. Benefits: Facilitate the study of bubble evolution in tissue and its correlation to decompression sickness (DCS). With a correlation to DCS established, the proposed work could lead to improved diver safety, divers working to physiological limits and improvements to DCS treatment and hyperbaric therapy. Commercial devices based on the proposed technology could be found in the military, industrial and consumer diving markets and medical markets using hyperbaric therapies. Return