Intravenous
Intravenous (IV) capability includes vascular access devices, blood and fluid administration systems, infusion pumps, and catheter technologies engineered for fast, reliable intravascular therapy. Military IV solutions must perform under shock, hemorrhage, contamination, prolonged-field-care, and delayed-evacuation scenarios.
Technical Challenges
Obtaining rapid vascular access in hypovolemic, vasoconstricted, or polytrauma patients
Preventing catheter-related bloodstream infections and biofilm formation in contaminated environments
Maintaining safe transfusion and infusion (temperature control, air/particulate protection) during prolonged transport
Reliable drug dosing and infusion control with variable power, shock, and limited monitoring
Emerging Opportunities
Compact, rugged IV and transfusion systems designed for far-forward and prolonged-field care
Integrated infection-resistant catheters and coatings optimized for battlefield pathogens and biofilms
Closed-loop infusion platforms that operate with intermittent connectivity and limited vital-sign inputs
Validated, fieldable blood-warming and low-volume transfusion sets that minimize hemolysis and waste
Current and Emerging Technologies in Intravenous
Rapid vascular access devices
Needleless and mechanical peripheral IV catheters, ultrasound-guided IV systems, and user-friendly intraosseous devices provide immediate access in hypovolemia or crush/blast injuries where peripheral veins are not usable.
Compact blood and fluid delivery
Portable rapid-infusion systems, low-profile transfusion sets, and rugged blood warmers support massive transfusion protocols and damage-control resuscitation in austere or prolonged-care settings.
Infection-resistant catheters and coatings
Antimicrobial surfaces, anti-biofilm chemistries, and novel materials reduce catheter-related infections and extend safe dwell times in contaminated environments where sterile technique is challenged.
Smart and closed-loop infusion systems
Battery-efficient pumps, safety-enabled smart pumps, and automated titration algorithms that integrate with limited physiologic sensors to maintain hemodynamic targets in remote care.
Diagnostics-integrated IV platforms
Point-of-care sensors for hemoglobin, coagulation, and hemolysis integrated with infusion controls enable adaptive transfusion decisions and reduce unnecessary blood use during prolonged casualty care.
Importance to Military Medicine
Foundational for hemorrhage and shock management
Rapid vascular access and reliable transfusion are primary determinants of survival after trauma and exsanguination.
Enables prolonged and distributed care
Field-capable IV systems permit sustained resuscitation and pharmacy support when evacuation is delayed or resources are limited.
Reduces infection and complication risk in austere settings
Robust catheter materials and infection-mitigation technologies preserve force health and decrease evacuation burden from sepsis and device-related complications.
Preserves readiness and return-to-duty
Reliable IV care reduces mortality and shortens recovery timelines, directly supporting force readiness and mission continuity.
Alignment with the MTEC Mission
Accelerates transition of battlefield-ready IV technologies from labs to fielded capability, consistent with MTEC’s DoD-focused mission.
Supports MTEC portfolios in combat casualty care, prolonged/distributed care, and regenerative medicine through integrated resuscitation solutions.
Enables dual-use outcomes that benefit civilian trauma systems, EMS, and disaster response—aligning with MTEC’s emphasis on civilian impact.
Fosters collaboration across industry, academia, and DoD labs to accelerate prototype testing, clinical validation, and regulatory pathways.
Dual-Use (Military + Civilian) Applications
Civilian trauma centers and EMS benefit from rugged IV systems for mass-casualty and rural responses.
Disaster and humanitarian medicine require portable transfusion and infusion solutions that originated from military needs.
Rural and austere civilian hospitals adopt infection-resistant catheters and simplified infusion pumps to extend care capacity.
Commercialization of compact blood-warming and diagnostic-integrated IV platforms improves standard-of-care transfusion safety.
Explore MTEC Members with Intravenous Capabilities
MTEC members—industry innovators, academic researchers, clinical trial networks, and DoD laboratories—bring complementary expertise in materials science, device engineering, and military clinical practice.
Collective strengths include rapid prototyping, access to relevant animal and human models, regulatory strategy support, and field validation in austere environments.
Explore MTEC member profiles to identify partners capable of advancing IV technologies from concept through clinical validation and DoD adoption.
117 Members with Intravenous capabilities.
The University of Texas System is a leading public university system in the United States, dedicated to improving lives through education, health care, and research. With over 256,000 students enrolled across 14 institutions, the UT System is committed to providing affordable access to higher education and producing a skilled workforce to drive Texas's economy.
Georgia Southern University is a vibrant institution with over 26,100 students across three campuses in Statesboro, Savannah, and Hinesville. The university offers 132 degree programs at the associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate levels, emphasizing student success, community impact, and research excellence. With a commitment to inclusivity and engagement, Georgia Southern fosters a supportive environment for diverse learners, including military-affiliated and adult students. The university is dedicated to transforming lives through education and community engagement, aligning its programs with regional needs. Additionally, Georgia Southern provides accelerated pathways for students to fast-track their master's degrees, enhancing educational opportunities. The university also emphasizes career readiness and public impact research, preparing students for successful careers and contributing to community development.
FiteBac Technology/FiteBac Pharma's K21 uniquely targets the underlying disease state, given that most diseases involve microbial-associated inflammation and mitochondrial dysfunction. FiteBac Technology innovations stem from the work of numerous international academic research scientists. FiteBac Pharma K21 is the blockbuster antimicrobial small molecule designed to modulate biological, immunological, and metabolic systems for treating a wide range of infectious and inflammatory diseases. This patented drug substance has demonstrated the ability to safely eliminate bacterial, fungal, and viral infections, enhance innate immunity, induce mitophagy while improving mitochondrial and cellular metabolism, accelerate wound healing, and even promote the development of zebrafish and chickens, leading to increased adult mass. Rigorous research from Dr. Bhupesh Prusty's laboratory and Dr Christopher Rongo's laboratory is focused on various aspects of mitochondrial remodeling and reprograming, as well as mitochondrial-to-nuclear signaling with K21.
Maverick Labs is a U.S.-based biotechnology and materials science company specializing in advanced protein design, synthetic biology, and microbial engineering. The company operates through three tightly integrated subsidiaries—Maverick Metals, Maverick Energy, and the Maverick Bio-Gene Therapy Translational Unit—each of which applies a shared technological foundation to tackle critical challenges across national defense, energy independence, and strategic material access. Together, they develop scalable, field-ready solutions that reinforce the United States’ industrial resilience and military readiness through biotechnology-driven innovation.
The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) is dedicated to the advancement of knowledge through research, teaching, and community engagement. As a premier public research university, UTSA embraces multicultural traditions and serves as a catalyst for socioeconomic development, providing access to educational excellence and preparing citizen leaders for the global environment.
Auburn University Research & Economic Development is dedicated to advancing research and economic growth through a collaborative effort among its various colleges and departments. The organization focuses on fostering innovation, supporting faculty and student research, and facilitating partnerships with industry and government to address societal challenges and enhance the quality of life. Recent initiatives include the launch of the Team Science Series to promote interdisciplinary collaboration and the development of the Gulf Coast Engineering Research Station to address coastal environmental challenges.
The Institute for Integrative & Innovative Research (I3R) at the University of Arkansas is dedicated to pioneering solutions to complex societal challenges through convergence research. With a mission to advance research excellence and stimulate economic development, I3R focuses on deploying innovations at scale through collaboration across various sectors, including academia, industry, and government.
UTMB is dedicated to supporting research, education, and scholarly endeavors, with a focus on creating the future of healthcare through innovative research and community engagement.
Action Medical Technologies is a pharmaceutical and medical device company focused on developing innovative solutions that integrate medications with advanced devices and injector systems to improve patient outcomes, particularly in austere prehospital environments.
The University of Queensland (UQ) is one of Australia's leading research and teaching institutions, dedicated to transforming lives through education and research. UQ aims to create a better future by equipping students with the skills and knowledge necessary for their chosen careers, while also addressing some of the world's most complex challenges through innovative research.
The University of Chicago is a prestigious urban research university committed to rigorous inquiry and intellectual freedom. Founded in 1890, it has produced numerous Nobel laureates and is known for its transformative education and groundbreaking research across various fields. The university fosters an inclusive and diverse learning environment, encouraging participation from all community members.
Memsel is a biotechnology research and development company dedicated to enhancing health and combatting infections through advanced phage therapies and targeted delivery systems. The company aims to transform healthcare solutions across human, animal, and plant domains, addressing critical health challenges and antibiotic resistance.
Boston University is a major research institution committed to leading breakthroughs across various disciplines. The Office of Research supports and advances research excellence, fostering collaboration among researchers, industry partners, and government leaders to address significant societal challenges.
Baylor University is a preeminent Christian research university committed to addressing the world's most meaningful challenges through top-tier research and scholarship. Recognized as an R1 research institution, Baylor focuses on infusing its distinct Christian mission into its research initiatives, fostering a commitment to excellence and innovation.
VerimedRx is a medical device startup focused on transforming medication preparation and delivery through automated compounding with IV workflow software. The company aims to enhance the safety and efficiency of medication preparation in pharmacies by developing a small, easy-to-implement automated compounding device. This innovation addresses the challenges of manual IV compounding, which can lead to inaccuracies and scalability issues as patient infusions increase and regulatory demands grow. (Think "Keurig Machine for the Infusion Pharmacy")
Vivosang Inc is an investigational stage biotechnology company focused on developing pegylated human hemoglobin products to enhance oxygen delivery in medical applications, particularly in traumatic hemorrhagic injuries. Their lead product, VS-101, aims to provide targeted oxygen delivery to tissues in need, addressing significant medical needs in emergency and surgical settings.
Arizona State University
ASU Crosscutting Technologies to Enhance Military Medical Readiness and Resilience
Dr. Rachel Cassalia leads MTEC-supported efforts at ASU to shift military health from reactive care to proactive readiness through data-driven prevention.
University of Pittsburgh
Topical Metformin Lotion for Tendinopathy Prevention
University of Pittsburgh study shows topical metformin prevents overuse tendon injury. This work was sponsored through MTEC project 22-02-MPAI-014.
Theradaptive
Theradaptive’s RESTORE Trial Initiation for OsteoAdapt™ DE
Theradaptive launches RESTORE Phase I/II trial of OsteoAdapt™ DE for faster, precision bone healing in craniofacial injuries. MTEC-funded study targets improved recovery for military and civilian patients.
Altec
Autonomous Rehabilitation Device for Improved Recovery in Warfighters
The OSCIR platform—developed by Altec Inc in collaboration with the Naval Health Research Center—is bringing clinical-grade, real-time movement analysis to the front lines. Funded under MTEC-22-02-MPAI