Research Team Works to Decrease Anesthesia During Surgery

A team of researchers at The University of Arizona College of Medicine-Tucson and Dignity Health St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center-Phoenix has developed a method for treating anesthesia-induced hypothermia, a decrease in body temperature that occurs under anesthesia during surgery.

To protect the intellectual property and license it to the researchers’ startup, Catalina Pharma, the research team worked with Tech Launch Arizona, an office of The University of Arizona that commercializes inventions stemming from university research.

The team has generated robust data to demonstrate that several TRPV-1 antagonists (substances that interfere with or inhibit the physiological action of another) can reverse anesthesia-induced hypothermia in rodent models. Members plan to in-license a TRPV-1 antagonist to enter into clinical trials to test it as a treatment for anesthesia-induced hypothermia.

Small Satellite Propulsion System Unveiled

Chandler-based PacSci EMC has released the Modular Architecture Propulsion System (MAPS) for the small satellite market to cut the time and cost of integrating the propulsion system with the satellite and launch vehicle.

MAPS is a solid, clean-burning propellant collection of rocket motors that lowers the time from fabrication and testing to integration on the launch vehicle by up to 78 percent. The solid propellant thrusters provide precise and predictable performance from satellite deployment to decommissioning.

Using a solid propellant rather than liquid eliminates the need for valves, fittings, welds, filters, heaters, or complex thrusters. This method trims assembly time and cost, and greatly improves system reliability. Solid propellant also does not contaminate optics or solar panels, and does not require warmup time.

Watch the video here.