Research Function

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Historical Milestones:

1984—Davis Hyperbaric Laboratory designated Lead Agent for DoD Hyperbaric Medicine Program

1992—USAF establishes Scientific Advisory Board to review Hyperbaric Medicine’s DoD mission

1995—Davis Hyperbaric Laboratory initiates Research Branch

1996—Establish Research Mission, Vision and Objectives  

 

Description and Objective:

At normal atmospheric pressure, oxygen is predominantly transported by hemoglobin at near-saturation capacity. At increased atmospheric pressure, a substantial quantity of oxygen is dissolved in blood plasma, thus increasing circulating oxygen capacity. The result is greater penetration of oxygen into tissues surrounding patent capillaries producing a larger tissue-oxygen gradient. This gradient is an integral part of the chemokinetics of tissue repair. The objective of our research is to increase the understanding regarding the interaction between elevated oxygen concentrations and increased ambient pressure (hyperbaric). We hypothesize that hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) will preserve the combatant's optimal mission capability by promoting improved recovery from pathology, such as those encountered from directed energy, crush, burn, penetrating trauma, allergic and xenobiotic reactions, decompression responses, etc. Understanding oxygen pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, when administered under increased ambient pressure, will enhance our ability to optimize dose response, reducing the magnitude of injury, and shortening the duration of recovery. Techniques employed in our basic research laboratory include cell/tissue culture, flow cytometry, confocal microscopy, polymerase chain reaction, histopathology and chromatographic and electrophoretic separation techniques.

 

Unique Capabilities:

Our unique research role is to advance the wartime readiness mission through addressing the Joint Health Service Support Plan: Vision 2010. We have established a World-Class Research Center with intra- and inter-government collaborative efforts, and have an executable investigation plan to explore military combat research needs. Furthermore, our research mission includes exploring new and promising technologies that lead to enhancing the administration, deployability and operation of HBO. Also, our research function is charged with coordinating and managing the global DoD hyperbaric research program.

 

Research Plan Elements:

Basic

Model for Tissue Repair
          Mono-cultures
          Co-cultures
          2D and 3D culture dynamics

Infectious Disease Processes
Immune Modulation
Non-Specific Cell Responses

Applied

Research–chamber loan program, collaborative agreements

Technology Development—portable chamber technologies; delivery enhancements

Recent Clinical Research Investigations

TITLE

Principal Investigator

Status

Skin grafts healing

James K. Wright, MD, FACS

Completed

Skin graft tensile strength and open wound healing

James K. Wright, MD, FACS

In Progress

Fracture tensile strength

James K. Wright, MD, FACS

In Progress

Acute blood loss

James K. Wright, MD, FACS

Approved, need $$

Compartment syndrome

James K. Wright, MD, FACS

Approved, need $$

Missile wounds

James K. Wright, MD, FACS

Pending Approval

Laser retinal injury

John E. Kalns, PhD

In Progress

Long bone fractures

James K. Wright, MD, FACS

In Progress

Chronic wounds

James K. Wright, MD, FACS

Pending Approval

Nerve laceration

 

Pending PI

Carpal tunnel syndrome

 

Pending PI

Laser facial burns

 

Being Written

Retinal laser treatment

 

Being Written

Radiation enteritis

 

Pending PI

Anthrax Infection John E. Kalns, PhD Approved, need $$
Diabetic Wound Healing John E. Kalns, PhD Approved, need $$

   

TECHNOLOGY ENHANCEMENTS

Alternate chamber materials
Oxygen delivery systems

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