A proposed research plan for the coming year has been detailed in the March 24, 2014 proposal entitled, "Noninvasive Self-Contained Helmet Intracranial Fluid Monitor." Device iteration and development of a prototype helmet will demonstrate feasibility of a device configuration compatible with use in the International Space Station (ISS). Earth-based clinical validation of the prototype will be performed in association with the Baylor College of Medicine.

VIPS exploits the changes in electrical properties of tissue as a result of small changes in fluids. These changes in electrical properties can be detected by measuring the frequency response of the phase angle between a transmitter and receiver antenna as depicted below. The phase angle is a measure of the speed of propagation of the waves through the tissue, which is a function of frequency, impedance and dielectric constant. By taking a baseline reading, we can compare subsequent readings to detect changes to fluids in the brain. Since the bone and protein remain essentially constant, the changes we see are solely the result of fluid changes, such as bleeding and edema.

The Cerebrotech device consists of at least one transmitter and one receiver antenna placed to measure the fluids in the brain. Low-power electromagnetic waves at multiple frequencies are transmitted through the brain and the phase shift between the transmitter and receiver are measured. Because the different fluids in the brain cause different phase shifts at different frequencies, VIPS can differentiate between the fluid compartments. For example, we can see edema forming, movement of CSF, increases and decreases in intracranial blood volume.

VIPS technology uses magnetic induction to detect small changes in the fluid volume of the brain. Patients wear it like a headband without requiring electrical contact with the skin. The monitor can be worn continuously to detect brain fluid changes from baseline, aiding the physician in detection of increasing brain edema or bleeding, as well as providing objective feedback for medical management and medication dosing.

The product will address a market of millions of patients worldwide, for an addressable market size of several billion dollars annually. The initial target application is patients in hospitals after stroke, traumatic brain injury or other conditions which put them at risk for secondary brain injury as the result of bleeding or edema. This application alone addresses the needs of 3.3 million patients worldwide.

[Ed. Note: Added to Task Book 7/9/2014, when received information about the task.]