Microprobe for Brain Tissue Osmolality Measurements

描述(由申请人提供)： 维持细胞内和细胞外环境之间渗透力的微妙平衡对生命至关重要，就像维持生命过程的跨膜电位一样。能够持续监测组织渗透压的微探头的开发将为治疗头部损伤患者的医生提供必要的在线信息，了解疾病的进展、疾病的严重性以及治疗程序在改善这一过程中的有效性。这在指导必要的治疗干预方面将是非常宝贵的。露娜创新和一组研究人员提议开发一种直径不超过1毫米的微探针设备，该设备将能够连续测量脑组织渗透压。第一阶段计划将重点放在微探针的开发和体外测试上。在第二阶段计划期间，露娜团队将开始在动物模型中测试该探测器。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Maintenance of the delicate balance of the osmotic forces between the intracellular and the extracellular milieu is as essential to life as is the maintenance of the transmembrane potential to the process of life. The development of a microprobe capable of continuous monitoring of tissue osmolality will provide the physician treating a patient with head injury the necessary online information of the progression of the disease, the severity of the disease, and the effectiveness of therapeutic procedures in ameliorating the process. This will be invaluable in guiding the therapeutic interventions that are necessary. Luna Innovations and a team of researchers propose to develop a microprobe device, no more than 1 mm in diameter, that will enable the continuous measurement of brain tissue osmolality. The Phase I program will focus on the development and in vitro testing of the microprobe. During the Phase II program, the Luna team will begin testing of the probe in animal models.