The Problem This Solution Solves
Military service members are deployed to locations where inadvertent and unprotected exposure to toxic environments is possible. As the risk of accidental or adversarial exposure grows, it becomes increasingly important to monitor the health and readiness of the individuals in a proactive manner to facilitate effective triage and medical management of exposed individuals. Capabilities that enable a rapid recognition of exposure will facilitate improved short term risk management and reduced chances of long term physiological impact (e.g. cancer). The DoD seeks a commercial solution that measures biomarkers/signatures with minimal disruption to anticipate an individual’s exposure to hazardous chemicals prior to over symptomology.
The Solution
PercuSense delivered the ChemWatch solution, which is a low-burden capability that monitors for exposure to opioids, organophosphates, and/or mustard agents for at least 72 hours without calibration or reagents. The system includes a first-of-its-kind multi-analyte sensor in the form of a modified continuous glucose monitor. The platform also includes a sensor assembly with microelectronics that transmit data via Bluebooth to a mobile device application (ATAK compatible), as well as an applicator to insert and secure the sensor to the skin.
The current system demonstrates accurate detection of desired outcomes. In lab experimentation in animal models, PercuSense’s system successfully captured exposure to mustard gas, organophosphate, and opioid simulants and chemical agents. In a first-in-humans feasibility study, PercuSense successfully demonstrated the safety and functionality of their multi-analyte sensing solution across a 4-day protocol that include eating and exercise challenges. The system successfully passed biotoxicity, biocompatibility, and sterilization tests. The solution also successfully underwent FDA presubmission review wherein it qualified for either a screening pathway or a diagnostic pathway.