proposed technical approach: new effort pain inhibition is mediated by chemical flux rhythms within...

Proposed Technical Approach: New effort

Pain inhibition is mediated by chemical flux rhythms within nociception neural pathways such as the myelinated A-Delta (acute – sharp and piercing) and unmyelinated C-Polymodal (chronic – burning and throbbing) fibers.

Task 1 – Detail the ability to stop or reduce the propagation of action potentials along pain pathways facilitated by the release of interneuron enkephalins (Met and Leu). These, 5 amino-acid long chains, bind to Mu and Delta receptors and hyperpolarize the post-synaptic nerve cell limiting nociception in the brain.

Task 2 - The Somato-Sensory Evoked Potential (SSEP) waveform dynamics of individual interneurons in the Periaqueductal Gray Matter (PAG) both neospinalthalamic (sharp pain, localized) and paleospinalthalamic (dull pain) path will be recorded.

Task 3 - Analysis of analgesic Met and Leu enkephalin pentapeptide ligand release for characteristic signatures. Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) and Compressed Spectral Array (CSA) analysis of Intra and Extra-cranial cortical signals will provide insight into cell cluster depolarization and wave characteristics (frequency, amplitude, duration, and harmonics) by which a suitable EM wave can be experimentally designed.

Task 4 - Create waveforms which mimic the naturally occurring depolarization characteristics of specific neural activity. Pulse/ deliver EM to the appropriate mediating pathways within the spinal cord and inhibit the sensation of pain after injury.

Operational Capability to be Provided:

- Elimination or Reduction of neural Pain sensations before reaching higher cortical processing centers in the brain.

While pharmacological intervention is effective in this area, our approach seeks to bypass a number of acute side effects such as sedation and respiratory or cardiac irregularities, which may exacerbate the limitations of an injured warfighter in the military theatre.

- Model nerve cells ability to be entrained or coupled to the rhythmic pulses of an external stimulus of electro-magnetic (EM) origin.

- Demonstrate interaction of EM waves with cellular membranes are of a nonlinear nature (solitons) providing for small amounts of energy appropriately delivered to produce significant changes within the cell body. Many possibilities for external manipulation of surface proteins which regulate chemical pumps and cellular firing patterns.

BAA Number: 02-Q-4655

Mission Area: Direct Action

Requirement Number: R-310 / ATL-310-MINDTEL-009-QC

Proposal Title: Electro-Pulsed Pain Inhibition

MINDTEL, LLC. 11/01/2001

(Left Image) – Rough Design for an Electro-

Pulsed Electrode Array.

(Right Image) Spinal Pad: Delivers Electro-Pulses to each of the 64

dorsal-spinal Interneurons

Rough Order of Magnitude Cost and Schedule:

Task 1 period of performance is 4 months, Tasks 2 - 4 begin after completion of Task 1 for a period of 8 months.

* Total performance period is 12 months

Task 1 ROM cost of $250,000

Task 2 - 4 ROM cost of $1,000,000

* Total cost is $1,250,000

Deliverables:

1. Electro-Pulsing Spinal Pad. 64 channel capable to ensure maximum directed focal stimulation.

2. Stimulus generator. 64 discrete (frequency, amplitude, duration, waveform, harmonics, variable)

3. Data deliverables: monthly status report, final report, test plans, test reports, specifications, computer program end items, user’s manual, drawings, transition plan.

Corporate Information:

MindTel, LLC., Bill Rojas, Ph.D. - P.O. BOX 8995 - Rancho Santa Fe, CA. 92067, (858) 759-8808 - email: [email protected]

Electro-Pulsed Pain Inhibition

Operational Capability to be Provided: - Provide a stereoscopic video and binaural audio interactive Common Operational Environment (COE).

- Model Human A/V system using two micro cameras and microphones on a head mounted display.

- Collect and transmit signals to a Portable Module Unit (PMU). 3-D video is time base corrected (TBC), multiplexed and overlayed with vital data and transmitted back to the wearer in the field in real time.

- Allows two persons in remote locations to share Point of View (POV) information and expedite assistance in the form of hand gestures, text or video and interact within a Common Operational Environment(COE).

- Infrared (IR) and Face Recognition (FR) adaptable.

Prototype presented at: Operation Strong Angel - RIMPAC 2000 Reviewed by: NAVY 3rd Fleet * DARPA * ECU Tel-Med * SPAWAR * NASA


Mission Area: Protracted Operations in Remote Locations


Proposal Title: EVA System – Experiential Video and Audio



Task 1 period of performance is 4 months, Tasks 2 - 4 begin after completion of Task 1 for a period of 8 months.



Task 2 – 4 ROM cost of $1,000,000


Deliverables:

1. Integrated and miniaturized HMD-C (3D camera and audio).

2. Wearable microwave transmission and reception system (2 mile radius).

3. Portable Module Unit (PMU) with (TBC, field-lock), field interlaced multiplexing, and chroma key overlay. Micro Transmitters. IR, FR.



MindTel, LLC., Bill Rojas, Ph.D. – P.O. BOX 8995 - Rancho Santa Fe, CA. 92067, (858) 759-8808 - email: [email protected]


Task 1 - Integrate Head Mounted Display - Cameras and Microphones – Glasses style miniaturized and covert - stereoscopic video and binaural audio capabilities.

Task 2 - Integrate Microwave Transmitters and Receivers: Spread Spectrum – Battery Pack Unit, Durability – System Transmission Security and Scrambling.

Task 3 - Assemble Portable Module Unit - TBC, Multiplexer, Chroma Key, Internet 2, Satellite Uplink, Common Operational Environment(COE).

Task 4 - Adapt Infrared (IR) and Face Recognition (FR) software.


Our method monitors brainwaves (EEG) with electrodes (10-20 system) on two human subjects inside of a Faraday Cage.

Subject 1 - is the Emitter and interrogated by a 3rd person.

Subject 2 - is the Receiver or Human Electrode and is sensory deprived with a blindfold and silent head-phones so as not to elicit a personal response to the stimulus questions.

3rd person interrogates Subject 1 with a predetermined series of words designed to elicit novel or familiar evoked potentials.

Subject 2 is monitored for a synchronous resonant EEG response of p300 or n400.

Task 1 – We will document brainwave interactions (- 1 ft).

Task 2 - Investigate interactive brainwave distances (1 to 10 ft).

Task 3 – Achieve capabilities to distinguish specific individuals within a crowd. Target “painting” - with a pulsed laser light (TBD), establishes pre-selected carrier (Hz.) signature for that individual.

Operational Capability to be Provided:

- Gather EEG information from persons in close physical proximity. - Covert terrorist detection during interrogation from a distance. - Detect electrical voltages from the scalp and analyze for novel (p300) and familiar (n400) responses of 2nd person.

Efficacy of Brain Fingerprinting:

Studies at a US intelligence agency demonstrated that (Farwell, 2001) Brain Fingerprinting could accurately and reliably detect individuals possessing information regarding mock crimes and real-life activities, including a small number of actual major crimes. The ability to gain insight into the mental activities of a suspected individual can be achieved with EEG monitoring equipment and analysis software. Our method does not require the full cooperation of the target. Covert Method:

- Extend the reception capabilities of the electrodes (S/N) by utilizing the natural ability of the human body to monitor another human while in close proximity.


Mission Area: Terrorist Behavior and Actions Predictions Technology


Proposal Title: The Human Electrode – Covert Distant Brainwave Monitoring



Task 1 period of performance is 4 months, Tasks 2 and 3 begin after completion of Task 1 for a period of 8 months.



Task 2 + 3 ROM cost of $1,000,000


Deliverables:

1. EEG monitoring equipment and analysis software.




The Human Electrode – Covert Distant Brainwave Monitoring


Our approach uses the genetic transfer abilities of electroporation to transfect macrophages with the DNA recombinant plasmids to counteract Anthrax toxins. Short electro-magnetic pulses (Electroporation) are able to produce small pores in the membranes of human macrophage cells. This provides a method for producing life-saving polypeptides within 24 hours of treatment.

Anthrax Bacterium releases 3 toxin components:

PA – Protective Antigen {PA63), cleaved (PA20)

EF – Edema Factor + LF – Lethal Factor

Anthrax Antagonist P1 dodecapeptide amino acid sequence: HTSTYWWLDGAP

The P1 dodecapeptide (HTSTYWWLDGAP) was synthesized and found to disrupt the binding of radiolabeled LFN to PA63 on Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells. (Mourez et al, 2001)

Task 1 – Create DNA Plasmid with ligated P1 Gene (x copies).

Task 2 – Design ex vivo macrophage electroporation protocol.

Task 3 – In vitro, in vivo and ex vivo testing.


Mission Area: Expedient Biological Agent Battlefield Neutralization


Proposal Title: Post-Exposure Anthrax Neutralization – Macrophage Electroporation


(Left Image) Blue stained macrophage and red blood cells.

Tiny purple platelets are also visible.

(Right Image) Schematic effects of electroporation on

macrophage membrane surface showing how gene product enters cell.


Task 1 period of performance is 4 months, Tasks 2 and 3 begin after completion of Task 1 for a period of 8 months.



Task 2 + 3 ROM cost of $1,000,000


Deliverables:

1. Electro-Pulse Generator: Electroporator

2. Macrophage Transfection Protocol

3. Anthrax Toxin Antagonist Gene Product – P1 ligated to plasmid




Post-Exposure Anthrax Neutralization – Macrophage ElectroporationOperational Capability to be Provided:

- Develop procedures to disrupt Anthrax toxin assembly on macrophage cell membrane with 24 hours of treatment.

- Model Anthrax infection. Protective Antigen (PA) = pre-pore at the cell surface. Two enzymes = Edema Factor (EF) and Lethal Factor (LF), bind to the pre-pore and are internalized. Once in the endosome, the PA component transforms into a pore, EF and LF reach the cytoplasm. Completed toxin enters cells, destroys key enzymes and kills macrophages.

Anthrax inhalation (@10,000 spores) = massive internal bleeding and shock. Lethal effects are cytokines, released by dying macrophages reduce clotting abilities. Antibiotics alone are useless within 1-6 days after symptoms appear, even if all the bacteria are killed, as many toxins have already been released.

- Block combined toxic effects of the 3 components: bind a small fragment of a designed P1 polypeptide (12 amino-acids long) onto the PA toxin. This polypeptide neutralizes the ability of the complex to form a pore and subsequent infection. This approach with a strict regimen of antibiotics and proper blood pH adjustment can be an effective treatment protocol.

proposed technical approach: new effort pain inhibition is mediated by chemical flux rhythms within...

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