Novel Concepts for Soldier-Centric Technology in Non-Traditional Combat Casualty Care

The purpose of this project is to determine whether a low-energy electromagnetic field (EMF) can be designed to stimulate cells involved in wound healing (fibroblasts) or the immune system (monocytes). Preliminary data indicates growth factor receptors onbone cells can be selectively activated with custom designed EMF signals. Using this same technology, customized EMF signals will be designed to activate basic fibroblast growth factor receptors for stimulation of fibroblasts. A second EMF signal will bedesigned to activate interleukin 1 receptors for stimulation of monocytes. A method for activating specific growth factor receptors using an applied low-energy electromagnetic field (EMF) has numerous commercial applications. An EMF-based device forstimulating wound healing can be used for acute injuries such as those a soldier may experience in the field or chronic injuries as occurs in elderly patients or in diabetic patients. An EMF-based device for stimulating the immune system can be used in anysituation that poses a challenge to the immune system such as infectious diseases, surgery, bullet wounds and extreme conditions.