Date: Jan 15, 2010 Source: ARMY SBIR Success Stories (
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With assistance from the SBIR Program, Advanced Circulatory Systems, Inc. (ACSI) is developing a product called the ResQvent. The ResQvent is an electronic, portable, reusable device that delivers ACSI's novel Intrathoracic Pressure Regulation (IPR) therapy and positive pressure ventilation.
Non-invasive IPR therapy creates a vacuum inside the chest cavity that doubles blood flow to the brain and heart. This increased circulation increases blood pressure and lowers intracranial pressure in patients with elevated intracranial pressures (head trauma), in patients in shock from blood loss or sepsis, and in patients in cardiac arrest.
IPR therapy extends the "golden hour" of survival for traumatic brain injury (TBI) and severe hypotension victims in hostile or difficult to access locations. TBI and severe hypotension have high morbidity and mortality rates when medical care is not immediately available; ResQvent extends the window for Soldiers or injured civilians to receive medical attention.
The ResQvent and its underlying IPR technology are vital to the Department of Defense because it allows for non-invasive, nonÂsurgical treatment for TBI and hemorrhagic shock patients at the point of injury and provides continued resuscitative care throughout the entire evacuation process.
The ResQvent also has an integrated positive pressure ventilator and vacuum source used to control the vacuum in the chest. The device is small, lightweight, battery-powered, and portable for military use in the theater of operations and in other emergency settings.
Phase III Impacts
ACSI has already commercialized two other products that deliver IPR therapy, the ResQPOD and ResQGARD, with sales to the military totaling over $1.2M to date. The ResQPOD received an American Heart Association Class IIa recommendation — higher than any drug used in the treatment of adult patients in cardiac arrest.
ACSI's impedance threshold device technology was inducted into the Space Foundation Hall of Fame in 2008. ACSI was recently selected to receive $600K from the U.S. Army SBIR Commercialization Pilot Program to complete development of the ResQvent and begin field integration.
