Highly Robust, Temperature-Stable, Nano-structured Fluoropolymers for Battlefield Resuscitation Applications

The aim of this research program is to evaluate highly fluorinated yet water soluble, nano-scaled polymers for use in battlefield resuscitation applications where highly efficient oxygen transport is required. These polymers will represent a quantum leap over current artificial oxygen transport technology, which includes modified hemoglobin (e.g., crosslinked human, animal and recombinant hemoglobin) and fluorocarbon emulsions. Their advantages will include biocompatibility, non-toxicity and non-irritability, high long-term stability at ambient and elevated temperatures, high structural precision, monodisperse nanoscopic size, ability to reach places in the body inaccessible to more massive red blood cells, high solubility in water, blood plasma or cell culture media, low-to-medium molecular density, high oxygen solubility, efficient rate of oxygen transfer into an aqueous phase, and potential for cost-effective manufacture on a large scale. The proposed Phase I program will include: (a) synthesis and characterization of prototype nano-scaled polymers using proven chemistries and procedures; and (b) preliminary evaluation for efficacy and toxicity using instrumental methods and a rabbit animal model. It is expected that the results obtained will constitute the proof-of-concept data that will provide sound foundation for the optimization and development effort in Phase II.