MAXQ RESEARCH LLC — Department of Defense SBIR Phase I: DHA211-011

Description

Hemorrhage is the leading potentially preventable cause of battlefield mortality. Timely and balanced resuscitation with blood components lead to increased survival by achieving hemostasis as quickly as possible. However, transporting and maintaining blood inventory at far forward bases can be challenging. These products must be transported with proper cold chain maintenance in containers that can withstand arduous journeys and austere environments which can cause breakage of the storage bags. This complex, multi-step blood supply chain encounters several failure points. Transporting the blood collected in the US to the forward bases require overseas shipment with multiple stops. Distributing the blood products from the far forward bases to the role of care facilities require local ground and air shipping. Indeed, the multiplicity of carrying blood units by a medic prior to a high-risk mission (role of care 1) being the steepest hurdle when compared to the transport and distribution at a forward surgical facility (role of care 2) or a combat support hospital (role of care 3). During each leg of this complex supply chain, it is critical to maintain temperature of the blood within precise range to ensure efficacy of the blood component. An isothermal blood storage/ transport container with integrated temperature monitoring can enable an unbroken chain of compliance and provide an optimized solution. To address this critical need, MaxQ Research proposes to develop, test, and commercialize an intelligent 10-day temperature controlled blood storage/transport solution with on-board payload condition monitoring system. MaxQ is a provider of advanced cold chain packaging and compliance automation solutions to the life science industry. MaxQ’s thermal packaging technology advancements have resulted in multiple patented and proprietary solutions that increase efficiency and reduce product loss in the transfusion blood supply chain. MaxQ envisions the proposed solution to be modular and scalable so that it can be implemented in various sizes to meet requirements for all roles of care. The proposed solution with its long endurance 10+ days of temperature assurance could be a game changer in both military and civilian blood distribution. Giving the operations the flexibility to extend logistical footprint without compromising product integrity while maintaining lower total cost.