AFOSR Is Playing a Pivotal Role in Advancing Medical Diagnostics Technology

The Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR) is playing a pivotal role in advancing medical diagnostics technology. Professor Jason Heikenfeld from the University of Cincinnati’s Novel Device Lab is working to repurpose blood glucose monitors, originally designed for diabetes patients, to provide the Department of Defense (DoD) with diagnostics capabilities in the field previously only available in medical clinics. The project is made possible through the portfolio of AFOSR Program Officer Dr. Patrick Bradshaw, and a partnership with the USAF 711th Human Performance Wing.

This project began ten years ago by monitoring sweat to extrapolate health metrics. It eventually became clear that the techniques of diabetes monitors, which utilize the body’s interstitial fluid, would be a more effective strategy. Interstitial fluid surrounds and bathes the cells of tissues in the body. It fills the spaces between cells and is present in the spaces of tissues. It is essential for the exchange of nutrients, gases, and waste products between cells and the bloodstream. When monitoring changes in individuals’ interstitial fluid, this can give doctors and researchers key information about the body’s health. Since 2012 Heikenfield has received $4 million from AFOSR and the USAF.

“The Air Force has led the charge to understand continuous monitoring beyond glucose for many years, even ahead of government agencies,” said Prof. Heikenfeld. “Industry is just starting to get involved in this area of research, but much of the progress made so far has been thanks for Air Force seed funding from sources like AFOSR.”

In 2021, Heikenfeld co-founded and is currently Chief Technology Officer at startup Kilele Health. The company is focused on developing a commercial application monitoring for potential heart failure. This allows them to develop a viable commercial product first so that it can then be more easily transferred to a military application. The company has received nearly $3 million in non-diluted funds from organizations like the National Science Foundation SBIR program and industry partners seeking data of what is possible beyond glucose.

AFOSR’s funding of Heikenfeld’s work has resulted in dozens of new patents and has funded 15 doctoral and post-doctoral students. Two of the students were eventually hired by AFRL, and one is a contractor for the Air Force Research Laboratory. In addition to his current partners, Prof. Heikenfeld is in search of additional DoD partners with pressing needs in continuous monitoring.

The interviews contributing to this article were conducted by the BRICC PIA team.