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Advanced Capabilities Medical Suction Device

Award Information
Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Branch: N/A
Contract: NNX13CC77P
Agency Tracking Number: 124303
Amount: $125,000.00
Phase: Phase I
Program: SBIR
Solicitation Topic Code: H12.02
Solicitation Number: N/A
Timeline
Solicitation Year: 2012
Award Year: 2013
Award Start Date (Proposal Award Date): 2013-05-23
Award End Date (Contract End Date): 2013-11-23
Small Business Information
OR
Myrtle Creek, OR 97457-0102
United States
DUNS: 068766781
HUBZone Owned: No
Woman Owned: No
Socially and Economically Disadvantaged: No
Principal Investigator
 William Michalek
 President
 (541) 863-2654
 michalek@urcmail.net
Business Contact
 John Aker
Title: Business Official
Phone: (541) 863-2655
Email: aker@urcmail.net
Research Institution
 Stub
Abstract

A compact microgravity and hypogravity compatible vacuum device is proposed to provide medical suction and containment of extracted fluids. The proposed aspirator will draw up to 40 L/min of air and produce a nominal vacuum of 500-mm Hg, which is comparable to commercially available medical aspirators. The unit will also provide a means for separation and containment of up to 1000 mL of aspirated fluids. Waste material separation will be accomplished by a reticulated foam trap that will utilize hydrophilic adsorbent materials to sequester liquids within the reticulated foam structure. The aspirator assembly will also include a sub-micron filter to prevent aerosol from escaping to the spacecraft cabin. During the Phase I research, an efficient trap will be designed and tested using a commercial off the shelf (COTS) vacuum pump. Additional trap features will be investigated including collapsible walls to minimize storage space and chemical resistance to enable suction of corrosive and/or toxic materials. Phase II research will focus on improving overall ESM and incorporating features such as a trap fill level indicator, an emergency shutoff in case of liquid breakthrough, and an alarm indicating a blocked airway, which will improve microgravity performance.

* Information listed above is at the time of submission. *

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