X-Therma Inc. — Department of Defense SBIR Phase I: DHP16-012

Description

GU injuries have been amplified as dismounted patrols have increased and frequent exposure to improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in recent conflicts. Penile injury incurred on the battle field increases the complication of performing replantation surgery. Generally, more time is required beyond the available 6 hours of biological time after dissection for autogenous reconstruction. Promisingly, hypothermia has been shown to extend the tissue survival by decreasing ischemic effect.X-Therma is developing bioinspired, non-toxic and hyper-effective ice-prevention solutions via biomimetic nanoscience. We propose novel protocol and advanced CPA formulation for preservation of the penis and penile tissues at sub-zero temperature (-20C for 1 week storage, -80C for 1 month storage) from near battle field settings. The goal is to create On Demand Organs/Tissues and offer adequate tissue preservation times to perform further tissue repair and replantation or assist transplantation of a donor organ. The novel CPA formula will be developed based on low toxicity, hyper effective anti-ice nanomaterials developed via biomimetic nanotechnology that can dramatically reduce the concentration of cytotoxic CPAs required. Mathematical modeling will be performed to assess the many complicated interactions between toxicity, exposure time, and mechanical stresses and inform protocol development.