Force Medical Protection Advanced Concept Technology Demonstration

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Force Medical Protection Advanced Concept
Technology Demonstration
Mr. Douglas Bryce, PM, CSLE/NBC TM, FMP
ACTD
April 19, 2000
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FMP ACTD Vision

• Provide the Joint Force Commander (JFC) with
  information that will assist the warfighter in
  effectively exploiting the battlefield
  environment while simultaneously protecting
  forces from exposure to chemical and biological
  agents --ACTD Implementation Directive
• An environmental monitoring device to sample the
  warfighters exposure

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Program Background -where did this come from?

• DODD 6490.2, section 4.5
• Medical surveillance shall encompass the periods
  before, during, and after deployment To monitor
  environmental, occupational and epidemiological
  threats and diverse stressors To assess disease
  and non-battle injuries, stress-induced
  casualties, and combat casualties, including
  those produced by chemical and biological and
  nuclear weapons
• DODI 6490.3, section 6.1
• In the future, several new systems and
  procedures will be required to initiate a
  comprehensive medical surveillance program for
  monitoring the identification and assessment
  of potential hazards and actual exposures to
  environmental contaminants and stressors.
• GAO Report (Sept, 1998) conclusions
• recommends that the Secretary of Defense develop
  a strategy for comprehensively addressing force
  protection issues resulting from low-level
  chemical warfare agent exposures addressing, the
  need for enhanced low-level chemical warfare
  agent detection, identification, and protection
  capabilities

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Program Background -where did this come from?

• National Academy of Sciences (Strategies to
  Protect the Health of Deployed U.S. Forces)
  recommendations
• The department of defense should proceed with a
  robust program to develop chemical detectors and
  biological detectors that can detect and measure
  low-level as well as high-level concentrations.
  The first priority should be the development of
  improved passive sampling devices based on
  existing technologies that could be fielded
  quickly.
• The department of defense should establish the
  long term goal to develop very small devices that
  could be deployed with each individual to measure
  and record automatically exposures to one or more
  of the most threatening agents, the location of
  the individual, the activity level of the
  individual, the microenvironment, and the time.

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Approach

• Phase I of the ACTD will focus on the
  acquisition, testing and demonstration of COTS
  passive sampling devices and integration of these
  devices with COTS or fielded analytical detection
  devices to complete the CBIS system.
• Phase II of the ACTD will focus on obtaining
  some limited real-time data upon sensing a CW
  agent (providing a signal as a result of sensing
  of CW agents or Toxic Industrial Chemicals -
  TICs). BW agent collection and detection
  technologies identified during Phase I will be
  used to develop a passive BW agent collection and
  analysis system.
• ---FMP ACTD Management Plan

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Overall Timeline
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Phase I Goals/Progress

• Use of COTS technology for chemical agent
  sampling system
• Market survey completed (July 99)
• Draft Phase I performance objectives developed
  (July 99)
• Initial COTS systems identified (Dec 99)
• Laboratory validation of system
• Initial (validation) Lab Test Plan developed (Jan
  00, outside review by Steve Lawhorne, ECBC)
• Purchased COTS systems for testing (Jan 00)
• Testing validated system for nerve (GD) and
  blister (HD) at IDLH (30 min) and TWA (8 hr)
  levels (March 00)
• Sample retention testing underway
• Follow on lab testing currently being planned for
  May 00 start

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Phase I Goals/Progress (cont.)

• Draft CONOPS based on system specifications
• COTS system specifications sent to Operational
  Manager (Dec 99)
• Initial Draft Completed (18 February 2000)
• CONOPS refined during WALEX 1 (29-30 March 2000)
• Continued technology improvements to reduce size,
  weight, and analysis time
• Commercial product improvements being
  investigated through continuous industry contact
  (Dec 99 - current)
• Funding improved analyzer (Thermo Electron
  Research)
• Sampler collects vapors onto multi-layered
  sorbents. Sample is then placed into the reader,
  thermally desorbed, and subsequently analyzed by
  flash GC/MS
• Contract started April 00, prototype planned for
  March 01

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Phase I Lab Testing Results
Bottomline Tested 3 commercial samplers
Against nerve and blister agent challenges at
two concentrations Two of the samplers successful
(collects and holds a quantifiable sample)
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Phase II Goals/Progress

• Will integrate passive collection technology with
  state-of-the-art miniaturized detection
  technology
• Draft Phase II performance objectives developed
  (July 99)
• Review of DOE and DARPA efforts (July 99 -
  present) - None sufficiently mature for CBIS
  timeline
• Three Broad Area Announcements posted (two from
  TSWG, one from MARCORSYSCOM) (1st and 2nd quarter
  FY99)
• Down-selection of submissions completed using
  Blue Ribbon Scientific Panels (March, May,
  November 1999)
• Seven Technologies currently funded

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Phase II Goals/Progress

• Equipment capable of collecting and analyzing
  chemical contaminants in near real time
• Three technologies propose to achieve this
• Currently only electroactive polymers has
  significant data to show real time sampling and
  analysis
• Selected TIC data from lab testing
• Simulant data from lab testing
• Currently live agent testing underway at ECBC
• Provide warning of exposure threat to needed
  personnel
• Two methods proposed colorimetric and electronic
  signal
• Electronic signal could alarm warfighter and/or
  command and control elements or simply provide
  data

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Phase II Goals/Progress

• Collection and analysis of biological
  contaminants
• Four technologies deal directly with biological
  sampling and analysis, while one additional plans
  to do so in future
• Two assay based analyses (passive and active
  collection)
• One aerogel based (thermal desorption and GC/MS)
• One pyrolysis desorption and flash GC/MS (passive
  sampler)
• Light based technology plans to adapt to bio in
  future
• Draft CONOPS based on system specifications
• As technologies prove out corresponding CONOPS
  based on their specifications will be developed
  and tested

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Optical Scanner(Penn State)

• Handheld flashlight sized laser scanner
  (non-contact optical sensor) containing visible,
  UV and near IR light sources, irradiates the
  surface to be analyzed and sends signal to
  spectral analyzer PC in vehicle or command center
• Contains GPS receiver and environmental sensors
• Involves modification of COTS products
• User points scanner at surface to be analyzed
  (material, bodily fluids or atmosphere)
• 24 month, three-phased effort

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Electroactive Polymers(PSI)

• Plastics, doped with chemicals to make them
  electrically conductive, which irreversibly
  change their resistance in a predictable manner
  when exposed to specific chemicals.
• An array of these sensors permits qualitative and
  quantitative identification of specific CW agents
  and TICs in a portable battery operated badge
• Testing underway.
• Demonstrated capability on VX, GD and HD
• Testing with live agents planned for week of
  4/17/00
• Prototype testing planned for summer
• 24 month effort - integrating two successful SBIRs

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Immobilized Enzymes (Walter Reed)

• Uses bound enzymes that react with
  organophosphates in a reaction that produces
  fluoresent or luminescent substances, or a visual
  color change
• Tested against organophosphate insecticides and
  nerve agent Soman (positive responses but not
  conclusive)
• Tested against varying pH, temperature
  fluctuation, exposure to water, and interferents
  (gasoline and diesel fumes) with positive results
• Multiple enzymes have been immobilized on single
  sensor
• Follow-on live agent testing anticipated within
  the next few months
• Technology addresses chemical agents that contain
  phosphorus with the potential to be applied to
  other chemical agents in the future

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Enzyme Assay System(A.D. Little)

• Enzyme based passive collector badge
• Enzymatic assay allows 1 minute color indication
  (alarm) of organophosphates (5 minute ICt5)
• Additional analysis in laboratory allows
  detection of anthrax through an immunoassay
• Experimental advancements
• Began preliminary experimental testing to
  determine feasibility of leading technical
  approaches
• Initiated preliminary binding studies on
  competitive inhibitors to acetylcholinesterase
• Examined methods to develop stabilized
  acetylcholinesterase films for the biosensor
• Identified a target system anticipated to provide
  substantial sensitivity for the detector
• Projected completion date is June 28, 2001

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UCP Modified Immunoassay(SRI)

• Handheld, battery operated sampler unit with
  integral bio-aerosol collection system, deposits
  sample onto several test strips
• Analyzer unit (not carried by user) uses light to
  detect UCP labeled antibodies in a lateral flow
  immunoassay
• As currently configured, only detects and
  identifies biological materials
• Will offer easy readout of many assays, speed,
  relatively inexpensive unit and operational
  costs, low consumables and long shelf life
• Prototype within 8 months of project start

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Chemical/Biological Aerosol Sampling System
(Veridian)

• Uses aerogel based coating suitable for filter
  paper-based collection and sampling of chemical
  and biological agents
• Have developed a prototype miniature
  environmental air sampler
• Part of previously work funded by DARPA
• Provides large volume air sampling, multiple
  particle size discrimination, and sample
  preparation for assay.
• 24 month effort

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ThermoElectron Research

• A combination of GC/MS and reduced sulfur
  detection technology will allow recognition of
  live chemical and biological agents
  simultaneously
• Two Phases - only funded Phase 1 so far
• Development and enhancement of an ambient sampler
  capable of collecting all biological/chemical
  agents
• Development of two fieldable prototype systems
• Status
• Techniques exist for high speed chromatographic
  detection of explosives (May be applicable)
• New technique used to study food spoilage may
  apply to biological agent detection
• Goals
• Weight 80lbs
• Power lt100 watts
• Visual, audio alarm output (computer linked)

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Funding Profile
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FMP ACTD Website Access (www.fmpactd.com)

• Team member login
• username XXXXXX (name from your email address,
  ex. msmith_at_osd.mil)
• password changeme (can be changed in staff
  section of site)
• Sections
• Staff listing of contact information for others
  working on the project and allows editing and
  updating of your user information
• Group Calendar shows current events for project
  and allows event addition and editing
• Communicate has newsgroup and chat capabilities
  to allow online communication and interaction
• Documents repository of up to date program
  files, documents, briefs, graphics, and progress
  reports which can be downloaded and new documents
  uploaded
• Assistance Chris McKay [phone] or
  mckayc_at_battelle.org

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