Light Weight, Portable EPR Spectrometer for Tissue Oxygenation Measurement

Advanced Device Technology, Inc. In collaboration with Dartmouth Medical College proposes to develop a portable device to measure parcial pressure of oxygen (PO2) in skin and skeletal muscle using Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) Oximetry. We will adopt this recently emerging technology to the special needs of the battlefield and other emergency conditions. The technique now is in use to measure pO2 in tissues in animals and is being developed for conventional use in patients. EPR oximetry offers the advantage of high sensitiity (about one torr or less), accuracy, simplicity, rapid measurements and indefinite repeatability. The method is based on the response of certain paramagnetic materils to the presence of molecular oxygen, The EPR spectra can be obtained from several sites simultaneously. The task in Phase I would be to demonstrate the feasibility of converting the technology to a portable form suitable for the proposed uses. In Phase II, a working prototype suitable for initial production will be developed. It is anticipated that the developments will have widespread use for the military, for emergency medicine in general and for non-medical measurements of pO2.