Quantitative Assessment of Microembolic Involvement

We will establish the feasibility for applying a new and noninvasive method to the developmentof a practical instrument for sensitive and quantitative detection of microembolic involvement in humanlungs. Because present methods for detection of pulmonary emboli utilize imaging techniques, the sizeof emboli detectable by these methods are limited by the inherent spacial resolution of x-ray and gammacameras. Microemboli (obstruction of the microcirculation) are therefore too small to be detected bystandard methods. Since microemboli are not detectable, there is no direct evidence that microembolicinvolvement is of clinical significance. However, microembolic involvement has been shown to be acause in Adult Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS), a disease having a high mortality (over 50%) inhumans. Microembolic involvement in other trauma associated conditions, including surgery, is alsospeculative. Phase I would address validation of the principle of the new method in experimentalanimals. The economic goal of Phase II would be to test the likelihood of microembolic detectionbecoming standard medical practice. Accomplishment of this goal involves a combination of technicaldevelopment and scientific studies. Given a successful Phase I, Phase II would 1) develop a practicalinstrument for human studies, and 2) perform clinical research studies designed to verify thespeculations of microembolic involvement in ARDS and other trauma associated conditions.