User:Medevac6/Telemedicine and Advanced Technology Research Center

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Telemedicine and Advanced Technology Research Center (TATRC) new article content ...

Overview
During any biomedical literature search for innovations in telemedicine or other medical advanced technologies, one of the primary results will be multiple references to the U.S. Army’s Telemedicine & Advanced Technology Research Center (TATRC). This little-known (except to those in the Medical Research Business) organization is one of the world’s leaders in the development and deployment of advanced medical technology.

TATRC is a subordinate organization of the U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command. Its primary mission is to support and foster research on health informatics, telemedicine/mobile-Health (m-Health), medical training systems, and computational biology, and it additionally promotes and manages science and biomedical engineering in other key portfolios. TATRC’s tasks include exploring science and biomedical engineering ahead of planned programs in the United States Department of Defense (DOD), in order to create new options and embrace the advantages of new technology. TATRC is also responsible for promoting and managing national and international extramural research in other key areas, notably medical robotics (including both ground and air vehicles), human performance enhancement technologies, medicine in austere environments, brain and behavior neurosciences, and tissue engineering technologies. TATRC also enhances the process of moving laboratory findings to solutions for current military problems, and bridging the “valleys of death” in medical device development by enabling the transition from scientific discovery through development of solutions to problems with the implementation and fielding of products.

Through an extensive network of partners and consultants, TATRC explores management models for innovation and technology transfer, and supports core medical research program augmentation opportunities provided by special types of funding such as Congressional Special Interest (CSI), Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program, Joint Incentive Funds (JIF), and through leveraging other federal partner programs. The focus is generally at both ends of the research spectrum, from supporting high-risk innovative basic research to placing those innovations into the hands of the Warfighter (i.e., transition to military applications and institutionalization of research products and findings), while looking toward wider civilian utility. The majority of this work is not done in-house, but through an extensive network of partners (military, government, educational institutions, and commercial entities).

A Brief History of TATRC
The need for a TATRC-like organization was recognized by the military as early as 1990, when the Army and Air Force medical departments wanted to jointly develop, procure, and deploy a filmless medical diagnostic imaging system (MDIS), at a time when such a system did not exist. On 1 November 1991, Lieutenant Colonel Fred Goeringer was assigned as the MDIS project officer, and by 1993 under his leadership the Navy had also joined this effort and a formal organization, the Medical Advanced Technology Management Office (MATMO) was established. MATMO, as it was referred to, became better known as the DOD “Telemedicine Test Bed” after the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Health Affairs) designated the Army as Executive Agent for telemedicine in 1994.

During the mid 1990s a broad array of advanced and developing technologies were used to meet military medicine requirements including biomedical science, a secure global positioning system, wireless networking, data compression, and adaptable tactical and mobile networks. In March of 1996, COL Gary Gilbert, PhD, US Army Medical Service Corps succeeded COL Goeringer as Director. In 1997, Col Jeffrey Roller, MD, US Air Force Medical Corps was assigned to serve as Clinical Director and subsequently succeeded COL Gilbert who became the MRMC Deputy for IM/IT until his retirement in June 1998. In 1998, MATMO was re-organized and renamed the Telemedicine and Advanced Technology Research Center (TATRC). Colonel Roller continued as Director until his retirement in October 2006, at which time Colonel Karl Friedl Ph.D., US Army Medical Service Corps, assumed the directorship.

Since its inception, TATRC has played a prominent role in developing advanced technologies in areas such as: health informatics; medical imaging; mobile computing and remote monitoring; and simulation and training. TATRC also played an important role in championing organizations such as The American Telemedicine Association (ATA) during its early years, and has continued to be an important thought leader in areas such as the use of virtual reality tools, biomaterials and hospital-of-the-future concepts. The use of advanced technologies to support deployed forces has been a common theme as far back as 1993, when LTC Ronald Poropatich, MD, with dual appointments at Walter Reed Army Medical Center and MATMO deployed to Somalia during Operation Restore Hope.

Between 1993 and 1996 tertiary care telemedicine was supported from the Walter Reed Telemedicine Directorate and was deployed for military medical missions in 12 countries. TATRC has been exploring and implementing telemedicine and other advanced medical technology solutions for over 15 years. By exploring new developments, TATRC strives to improve health care for the United States Armed Forces, their families and the civlian sector.

Currently, TATRC manages more than $400 million of research money annually, primarily through congressional special interest funding, and has expanded from its original office at Fort Detrick, Maryland, to a more global presence with offices in Georgia, California, Hawaii and Europe. Equally important has been TATRC’s partnership with numerous universities, commercial enterprises, and other federal agencies, supporting approximately 500 ongoing research projects. TATRC’s vision, as an important extension of its legacy, encompasses the creation of opportunities for technology transfer to the public sector as well as to the battlefield.

Mission
This organisation performs medical reconnaissance and special operations to address critical gaps which are underrepresented in DoD medical research programs to identify new scientific and technological developments which may be of use to the military medical services. It then develops research partnerships with leading experts in those areas, and works collaboratively with them to turn the basic research into applied research and products. It manages contract funding and ensures that contractual obligations of the investigators are fulfilled.

TATRC funds and manages many MRMC-funded and Congressionally-funded research programs through a system of similar or related research projects grouped into what are referred to as “portfolios”, each managed by a Portfolio Manager, who is a Subject Matter Expert in the scientific field under consideration. Portfolios are realigned as necessary, but as of this writing include ongoing efforts in:


 * Acoustic Trauma
 * Advanced Prosthetics
 * BioMonitoring Technologies
 * Blood Products & Safety
 * Computational Biology
 * Health Information Technologies
 * Human Performance & Optimization
 * Infectious Disease
 * International Health
 * Medical Imaging Technologies
 * Medical Logistics
 * Medical Plasma Uses
 * Medical Robotics
 * Nano Medicine
 * Neuroscience & Neurotrauma
 * Proteomics / Genomics
 * Psychiatric/Psychological Health
 * Regenerative Medicine
 * Resilience & Reintegration
 * Simulation & Training Technologies
 * Trauma, and
 * Vision

TATRC is able to support medical research of interest through multiple Research Funding Programs

Broad Agency Announcement-- The USAMRMC Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) 11-1 is the major source of funds under the direct control of TATRC. Essentially, this is an open "Request for Proposals", and is intended to solicit research ideas that will work towards providing solutions to medical problems of importance to the American warfighter at home and abroad. The Announcement provides a general description of USAMRMC’s research programs, including specific areas of interest, general information, evaluation and selection criteria, and proposal preparation instructions. The BAA is continuously open, and accepts proposals on a rolling basis. Pre-proposals may be submitted and will be evaluated at any time throughout the year.*

AMEDD Advanced Medical Technology Initiative (AAMTI)--This program is designed to assist US Army Medical Department (AMEDD) personnel demonstrate the use of (rather than develop) advanced technology in their specific fields. To apply for funding the Primary Investigator must be a member of the AMEDD community. Contact TATRC for more information.

SBIR/STTR-- Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) are highly competitive programs designed to allow small businesses to harness their innovative talents, with the incentive to profit from commercialization. By including qualified small businesses in the nation's R&D arena, high-tech innovation is stimulated and the United States gains entrepreneurial spirit as it meets its specific research and development needs. The SBIR program is aimed at small companies exclusively, while the STTR program funds small companies collaborating with not-for-profit research institutions. Eligible companies submit proposals against a specific topic, which is prepared by a DoD subject-matter expert. Both SBIR and STTR follow a three-phase process. Phase I is the startup phase, with awards up to $100,000. Phase II awards up to $750,000 as researchers expand on Phase I results and explore commercialization potential. Phase III moves from the laboratory to the marketplace; no SBIR/STTR funds support this phase.

The Department of Defense (DoD) participates in both SBIR and STTR programs. TATRC currently contributes SBIR topics to the solicitations released by the Army and The Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD). For STTR, TATRC only contributes topics for the Army program. Solicitations are released only at specific times during the year. Check SBIR web sites (below) frequently for the most current solicitation information. For more information, visit the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) website at http://www.sbaonline.sba.gov/index.html For more information specifically on the DoD SBIR/STTR program, go to http://www.acq.osd.mil/osbp/sbir/overview/index.htm

Since 2006, TATRC has been responsible for over $1.3 Billion in research funding, representing four cycles of annual appropriations (FY06-FY09). Half of the distinct congressional special interest line items over these four years have been represented in a half dozen key topic areas, with trauma/surgical care and health information technologies topping the list.

Note: Here will be inserted the two graphs from pages 6 and 7 of the 2009 TATRC Annual Report (I cannot upload them at this time without posting them on Wikipedia, and since this draft is not yet approved, I have not uploaded them.)Italic text

Satellite Offices
TATRC West: The TATRC West Satellite Office, located in Marina del Rey, California, is an extension of the TATRC headquarters office. It plays a key role in research program oversight, and is tasked with managing more than 60 projects, mostly congressionally directed, representing an investment of more than $240 million. TATRC West augments the broader mission of TATRC not only by strengthening ties with its existing research partners in the western half of the country, but also by building new collaborative relationships in the region that can help advance medical technology in support of the Warfighter. To encourage both scientific synergy and translational research, TATRC West is constantly working to establish links with other military organizations, government agencies, academia, and industry. In addition, TATRC West is building relationships with the investment community in order to promote the view of TATRC as a pipeline for emerging technologies, with the ultimate goal of a product-oriented approach to medical research. Because of its location in Southern California, TATRC West is uniquely positioned to leverage such resources that as yet remain largely untapped by the DoD medical community.

TATRC South: The TATRC South Field Office, located on Fort Gordon in Augusta, Georgia, provides a unique capability for the TATRC headquarters office. In addition to providing research program oversight, it plays a key role in fielding projects and new medical technology research initiatives with the local and regional operational assets of the US Army, and the Army Medical Department (AMEDD). TATRC South compliments the overall TATRC mission by providing an active link to numerous medical treatment facilities and healthcare providers in order to more effectively field new medical technologies to improve the delivery of healthcare to the Warfighter. TATRC South has partnered with the Research and Development division of the US Army Signal Command by continuing development of communication solutions to support the US Army Medical Command’s operational mission requirements on the battlefield. Additionally, TATRC South has established a consortium with the other medical and research facilities in the Augusta area, home to two VA hospitals and five major medical centers, to promote the alignment of government agencies, academic institutions and industry partners to engineer collaborative health care solutions.

TATRC HUI : The Pacific Telehealth & Technology Hui facilitates interdisciplinary research partnerships and collaborations to enable the sharing of resources and knowledge and advance the development of emerging technologies and improve the health care of beneficiaries in the Pacific Region. Toward this goal, the Hui aims to:


 * * Support the creation of a seamless integrated comprehensive healthcare system that conforms to a uniform standard of              high quality care
 * * Remote the transfer of technology between US Government and other public and private sector agencies by building alliances to facilitate the sharing of resources and knowledge

TATRC Europe: The TATRC Europe Office is not a formally-recognized satellite, but functions as one in many ways. It is located in Everberg, Belgium, in close proximity to the Brussels locations of both NATO and the European Commission. It is a small one-person office which has the primary mission of providing liaison to various NATO bodies and agencies. TATRC Europe augments the overall mission of TATRC by providing expertise and support for the actual integration of TATRC products and concepts into NATO operational doctrine, and in providing support for both military and civilian research within the NATO community. Additionally, this office maintains a liaison with the medical office concerned with the European Commission's Framework Programs of research, both to encourage increases in US/EC collaboration, and to maintain cognizance of the ongoing research and results arising from various EU programs. Our person there maintains a technical watch on medical research results and capabilities, with the ultimate goal of developing research partnerships with European organizations which can contribute to the TATRC/MRMC goals. Contacts are maintained and constantly being developed with other European research bodies and agencies, to ensure that we are aware of the newest developments in European medical research. To this end, coordination is maintained with various unclassified open-source US foreign science and technology watch organizations.