STEREOTACTIC HEAVY-ION BRAGG PEAK RADIOSURGERY The program at Donner Pavilion has applied nuclear medicine research to the diagnosis and radiosurgical treatment of life-threatening intracranial vascular disorders that affect approximately one million Americans. Sterotactic heavy-ion Bragg peak radiosurgery, using narrow beams of heavy ions (helium), demonstrates superior biological and physical characteristics in brain over X-rays, gamma rays and protons, viz., improved dose distribution in the Bragg peak, sharp lateral and distal borders, and less multiple scattering and range straggling for the same residual range in CNS tissue. Examination of CNS tissue response and alteration of cerebral blood-flow dynamics related to heavy-ion Bragg peak radiosurgery is being undertaken using three-dimensional treatment planning and quantitative imaging utilizing cerebral angiography, computerized tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), cine-CT, xenon X-ray CT, and positron emission tomography (PET). Also under examination are the physical properties of narrow heavy-ion beams for improving methods of dose delivery and dose distribution and for establishing clinical RBE/LET and dose-response relationships for human CNS tissues. Based on the evaluation and treatment with stereotactically directed narrow beams of heavy ions of over 250 patients, with cerebral angiography and CT scanning, and with MRI radiosotope scanning of selected patients, plus extensive clinical and neuroradiological follow-up, it appears that heavy-ion radiosurgery obliterates intracranial arteriovenous malformations or protects against rebleeding with reduced morbidity and mortality. This technology is being transferred to the general medical community. DOE Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory SOL-GEL DERIVED BIOGLASS A bio-active material that has the capability of replacing or repairing human bone and soft tissue. SDI - research at the University of Florida in materials processing technology for rapid fabrication of optical devices has led to a spinoff material with the appropriate chemical properties that make it bio-compatable with human tissue. Extension of this technology is expected in a host of applications for new types of bio-compatable prostheses for bone segments, inner ear ossicle bone replacements, dental implants, and numerous surgical applications. DOD Strategic Defense Initiatives Organization HIGH SPEED, FAULT-TOLERANT COMPUTER APPLICATIONS IN MEDICINE High speed computer processors and programs of the SDI Gallium Arsenide Multiple Instructions Per Second (MIPS) program are being made available to the medicine community through the Mayo Clinic to enhance the study of model molecular structures essential in the derivation of new designer drugs. Computers used today in operating rooms may fail, with life-threatening and potentially fatal consequences. Applications of the SDI Gallium Arsenide Advanced On-board Signal Processor provides computing technology designed to degrade gracefully without total shutdown. Applications are being explored by the Mayo Clinic. DOD - Strategic Defense Initiatives Organization APPLICATIONS TO OPTHAMOLOGY AND EYE SURGERY SDI technology for Optical tracking of ballistic missiles and warheads has potential application for tracking the rapid random movements of the eye to enhance diabetes-related eye surgery with lasers. An integrated system of diagnostic lasers to measure aberrations in the cornea, an SDI developed, computer-based aberration differencing analysis program, and precisely controlled output to a thermal laser is being studied to plastically deform the cornea to allow a reshaping process (thermal kerotoplasty) that may drastically improve poor vision. This process is a dramatic technological extension of the currently used, but controversial radial kerotonomy process that originated in the Soviet Union. The application of diamond crystal coating processes, developed for the protection of optics and coating of electronic circuitry under SDI programs, are being evaluated for producing microminiature instruments for eye surgery. DOD Strategic Defense Initiatives Organization DIAMOND CRYSTAL COATING TECHNOLOGY Developed under the SDI Diamond Technology Initiative Program for the coating and protection of mirrors, electronics and other devices in space, this new process for depositing thin layers of diamond crystal on surfaces has numerous potential applications: 1) Protection of eyeglasses, windows, mirrored surfaces 2) Surface hardening of cutting, grinding, manufacturing tools and 3) Acoustical speaker applications - a technology spinoff that is 4) Manufacture of microminiature surgical instruments from micro DOD - Strategic Defense Initiatives Organization ARGONNE RESEARCHER TAKES TOXIC GAS DETECTOR TO MARKETPLACE THE TECHNOLOGY Argonne National Laboratory's portable toxic gas detector, called a "Chemical Parameter Spectrometer", or CPS-100, could help save the lives of thousands of workers involved with the handling of toxic gases. The unique device can identify the type and concentrations of about 12 hazardous gases instantly. Weighing only 15 pounds, the portable battery-powered instrument can be used almost anywhere, and uses inexpensive, rugged, low-power sensors to do a job that formerly required a laboratory full of expensive equipment. Its ability to quickly analyze toxic gases in the field makes it an important tool for workers in today's high-technology society. While current models of the instrument can identify 40 chemicals, new versions are expected to handle up to 100 chemicals. The sniffer was the winner of a prestigious IR-100 award in 1984 TECHNOLOGY RECIPIENTS One of the Argonne scientists, Dr. Joseph Stetter, has formed a company (Transducer Research Inc. --TRI) and has left the Laboratory to run the company. He has established an office and assembly shop, has received a contract from the Coast Guard Service to manufacture up to 50 instruments, and has prospects for orders from other sources. Part of TRI's research and development program is funded by SBIR grants. In the fall of 1987, Stetter signed an agreement with ARCH to manufacture and sell a toxic gas detector developed while he was an Argonne employee. Stetter, who was the principal developer of the detector, set up an office and laboratory in a business incubator at Moraine Valley Community College, near Argonne. The advantages offered by the incubator, combined with multiple Small Business Innovation Research grants, gave TRI the boost it needed to license the technology for manufacture and sale. SBIR grants have helped TRI by providing the intellectual spark for several new product lines, as well. USES AND BENEFITS The potential market for the toxic gas detector is very large; it is believed that every fire department will want one to enable its firefighters to rapidly analyze toxic gases in buildings, vehicles, etc. DOE - Argonne National Laboratory INDUSTRIAL RESEARCHERS BENEFIT FROM AMES MATERIALS PREPARATION CENTER THE TECHNOLOGY The Ames Laboratory-USDOE has developed unique capabilities, expertise and facilities for the preparation and Processing of new materials. Ultrapure metals, single crystals, special alloys, and composites, which are not available from any other laboratory or commercial supplier, are being provided (at full recovery of government costs) to the industrial sector. Refractory metals and alloys, the rare earth metals, the transition metals, magnetic materials, superconducting composites, and high-strength normal conducting alloys are examples of the types of materials in which the Ames Materials Preparation Center (MPC) specializes. TECHNOLOGY RECIPIENTS The Ames materials preparation technology and the new materials for which Ames has developed processes have been transferred to innumerable recipients. Over 150 formal orders for materials are processed each year by the MPC from government, university and industrial laboratories. Some examples of recent industrial recipients include: Anderson Physics Laboratory AT&T Bell Laboratories General Motors Research Laboratory GTE Laboratories Hughes Aircraft Magnequench Nucor Corporation Oxford Superconducting Company Thermoelectron Corporation Universal Energy Systems In addition to these industrial sector recipients, over 50 orders from U.S. universities were filled by the MPC during FY 1987; many of these institutions and companies have multiple interactions with the MPC. USES AND BENEFITS The materials and processes acquired from the MPC are used in a wide variety of research and product development programs. Respect for proprietary interests and information prevents any specific listing of these uses. It can be said, however, that the nature of these programs and of the companies involved are such as to ensure the enhancement of multiple technologies, the creation of new product lines, the growth and expansion of businesses, the generation of new jobs, and a positive economic impact. |