INTRODUCTIONIn 1996, the Ballistic Missile Defense Organization (BMDO) and theNational <strong>Technology</strong> Transfer Center/Washington Operations (NTTC/WO)published a special report entitled BMDO <strong>Technology</strong> Applications inBiomedicine. With an emphasis on <strong>biomedical</strong> and biotechnical areas, thisreport detailed more than 60 technology stories that sprang from BMDOsupport through the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program,the Small Business <strong>Technology</strong> Transfer(STTR) program, the Innovative Science andIn this report we highlight<strong>Technology</strong> (IS&T) program, and the<strong>Technology</strong> Applications (TA) program.advances in <strong>biomedical</strong>This year, we are again highlighting<strong>applications</strong> of BMDO advances in <strong>biomedical</strong> <strong>applications</strong> ofBMDO technology, covering 32 stories intechnology.image processing, optical biopsy, laser treatments,in<strong>for</strong>mation storage and networks,and biological analyses, among other topics.The SBIR and STTR programs are administered by BMDO and other governmentagencies to support and develop cutting-edge <strong>technologies</strong> andlead them to the American marketplace. SBIR concentrates on fundingproof-of-concept and prototype product development in small business settings,and STTR fosters cooperation between nonprofit research institutionsand businesses. The IS&T program is designed to quickly galvanize highrisktechnology through targeted research and development. In addition,IS&T seeks to shorten the interval between concept and application. TheTA program promotes commercialization of advanced <strong>technologies</strong> andcross-fertilization of ideas between government agencies. Through technologyreview meetings with small businesses, outreach publications, and aproactive stance in disseminating in<strong>for</strong>mation about new commercializationef<strong>for</strong>ts, the TA program nurtures the seedlings of technology transfer.4With decreasing government spending and continuous pressure to reducethe national deficit, all government agencies are aware of the need to makeevery dollar count. BMDO has operated from its inception with an eye todual use, and in 1994 it began to pursue a relationship with the Departmentof Health and Human Services to transfer BMDO-funded <strong>technologies</strong> tothe area of breast cancer detection and prevention. BMDO has also joinedthe Federal Multi-Agency Consortium on Imaging Technologies to ImproveWomen’s Health, a concerted government ef<strong>for</strong>t to develop advanced imaging<strong>technologies</strong> <strong>for</strong> improved screening, earlier diagnosis, and better treatmentof breast cancer. The consortium includes representatives from theCentral Intelligence Agency, the U.S. Army, the Defense Advanced ResearchProjects Agency, the National Aeronautics and Space and Administration,the National Cancer Institute, and the National Science Foundation, toIntroductionBMDO Technologies <strong>for</strong> Biomedical Applications
name just a sampling. This group is headed by the office of the AssistantSurgeon General and Deputy Assistant Secretary <strong>for</strong> Health (Women’sHealth). The consortium’s technology transfer subcommittee put out arequest to 297 Federal agencies and laboratories to submit potential <strong>technologies</strong>that could advance digital mammography, magnetic resonanceimaging, ultrasound, nuclear medicine, computer-aided diagnosis, 3-Dvisualization, and image storage and transmission. Of 82 technologyresponses, the subcommittee chose 14 <strong>for</strong> funding consideration; of these,6 were BMDO submissions. These <strong>technologies</strong> were large-<strong>for</strong>mat digitalsensors, avalanche photodiodes, acousto-optic tunable filters, active vibrationisolation systems, uncooled infrared cameras, and polarization imagingand fluorescent spectroscopy devices. BMDO continues its cooperationwith the consortium through meetings and technology development.5BMDO Technologies <strong>for</strong> Biomedical ApplicationsIntroduction
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