Dialysis Like Therapeutics (DLT) | Apply Online

Dialysis Like Therapeutics (DLT) (DARPA BAA 11-30) - FAQs

1) What is the Dialysis Like Therapeutics (DLT) opportunity?

Dialysis Like Therapeutics (DLT) is a DARPA funding opportunity released under Broad Agency Announcement DARPA BAA 11-30. It sought research proposals to develop a portable, device-based therapeutic approach for managing sepsis by actively monitoring and rebalancing the bloodstream, rather than relying only on conventional drug treatments.

2) Which government agency and office ran this program?

The program was run by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) through DARPA's Microsystems Technology Office (MTO).

3) What problem was DLT trying to solve?

DLT targeted sepsis, described as a life-threatening systemic blood infection and inflammatory syndrome that can rapidly lead to organ failure and death. DARPA framed it as a major battlefield and critical care problem.

4) What was the core technical vision behind DLT?

The central idea was to move beyond drug-only approaches by creating a compact, portable system that can actively manage the bloodstream itself. DARPA described the desired end capability as controlling relevant components across the entire blood volume on clinically meaningful time scales, implying rapid, whole-blood intervention.

5) What kinds of capabilities was the proposed device expected to have?

Based on the description, the envisioned platform combines diagnostics, therapeutic blood processing, and automated control into one integrated system. It would measure relevant blood and physiological signals, process blood to remove or modulate harmful components while preserving beneficial ones, and adjust operation using predictive, closed-loop control.

6) What did DARPA mean by "clinically meaningful time scales" and "entire blood volume"?

In this context, DARPA signaled interest in rapid, whole-blood intervention rather than slow, partial, or highly localized treatment. The idea was to affect the blood system broadly and quickly enough to matter during fast-changing sepsis progression.

7) What technical areas did DARPA emphasize as necessary breakthroughs?

DLT emphasized several tightly connected areas: (1) advanced sensing, (2) sophisticated fluid handling, (3) separation and selective removal or modulation of blood components, and (4) mathematical descriptions and control strategies for predictive, closed-loop operation.

8) What types of sensing were relevant to DLT?

DARPA highlighted advanced sensing to detect and track markers and physiological signals relevant to sepsis, potentially including pathogens, toxins, inflammatory mediators, immune factors, and other circulating components that can change rapidly as the patient deteriorates or responds to treatment.

9) What did the program mean by "fluid handling"?

Fluid handling referred to the ability to move, meter, and route complex biological fluids (blood) reliably, potentially under challenging operational conditions. This suggests robust, controlled handling of blood and related fluids as part of an integrated device.

10) What did DARPA mean by "separation and selective removal or modulation" of blood components?

The description implies approaches analogous to, but more capable than, dialysis or hemofiltration: extracting harmful elements, preserving beneficial ones, and potentially adding or adjusting therapeutic factors without destabilizing the patient.

11) Was this program specifically about dialysis machines?

The program used dialysis as an analogy ("dialysis-like") but emphasized more advanced capabilities than conventional dialysis or hemofiltration, including selective removal/modulation of components and integration with sensing and closed-loop control.

12) What is meant by "predictive, closed-loop operation" in DLT?

Predictive, closed-loop operation refers to using real-time measurements as inputs to mathematical models and control algorithms that decide how the device should adjust its actions. The goal is to maintain or restore stability in a rapidly evolving disease state.

13) What was the intended operational setting for the DLT technology?

DARPA emphasized a field-deployable, portable, clinically useful platform. The portability focus suggests use beyond large hospital intensive care units, including forward operating environments or transport scenarios with severe time-to-treatment and logistical constraints.

14) Who was expected to benefit from the technology if successful?

The opportunity stated an expectation that such a device could save the lives of thousands of military patients each year, indicating strong relevance to military medicine and battlefield/operational care.

15) What type of funding opportunity was DLT?

DLT was a discretionary federal funding opportunity issued under the DARPA Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) mechanism (Funding Opportunity Number: DARPA BAA 11-30; Title: Dialysis Like Therapeutics).

16) What research category or assistance listing applied to this opportunity?

The listing identified CFDA 12.910, Research and Technology Development, and described the supported activities as science and technology and other research and development.

17) What funding instruments were allowed under this opportunity?

The opportunity allowed multiple funding instruments, including cooperative agreements, grants, other procurement contracts, and similar arrangements.

18) Were minimum or maximum award amounts specified?

No. The source data showed an award floor of 0 and an award ceiling of 0, which typically indicates funding levels would be determined based on the quality and scope of proposed efforts and negotiations, rather than a fixed published range.

19) Was cost sharing or matching required?

No. Cost sharing or matching was not required.

20) Who was eligible to apply?

Eligibility was listed as unrestricted, meaning any type of entity could apply, subject to any additional eligibility clarifications in the full announcement.

21) What were the key dates for this opportunity?

The posting date was February 8, 2011. A Proposers Day was held February 23, 2011 in Arlington, Virginia. The full proposal due date was April 1, 2011. The opportunity later moved to archive status, with an archive date of October 3, 2011.

22) What was the Proposers Day and where was it held?

The Proposers Day was a DARPA event to brief potential proposers and encourage teaming. For DLT, it was held February 23, 2011 in Arlington, Virginia.

23) Where were applicants directed to look for additional information?

The announcement directed applicants to the Microsystems Technology Office (MTO) solicitations page for additional information.

24) Who was the contact person for access issues related to the announcement?

The provided contact for access issues was Dr. Timothy Broderick, DARPA Program Manager and BAA Coordinator.

25) Is this opportunity still open?

No. The opportunity moved into archive status, with an archive date of October 3, 2011.