Key developments for defence medical technology

on Dec 09 tagged by admin

Two key developments for defence medical technology were being celebrated this week.

Research centre for blast injuries launched

The Royal British Legion and Imperial College London have launched a new centre for research into blast injuries. The centre will be based at Imperial College London, whose staff will take the lead on the research, while The Royal British Legion has contributed £5 million towards establishing the centre.

The centre is dedicated to research which will further the understanding of blast injuries and develop better protective equipment, provide more effective treatments and result in improved recovery times for patients.

Key projects will include the design and development of an intelligent combat boot which absorbs and deflects the impact of a roadside bomb, and also the development of a testing procedure which will aid early diagnosis of Blast Lung.

Life-saving oxygen generator wins award

An MOD defence technology project has taken first prize at the Engineer Technology and Innovation Awards 2011.

The lightweight oxygen generator was designed by Cambridge Design Partnership in collaboration with the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory’s Centre for Defence Enterprise.

The idea behind the generator is to make it easier for frontline personnel to administer oxygen to a casualty, ultimately saving lives on the front line. The micro diesel engine which powers the generator is far lighter than the battery currently in use on oxygen generators, making it more easily portable and suitable for use by frontline medics, as well as in emergency rescue operations and in civilian ambulances.

The device was developed through Centre for Defence Enterprise, an MOD initiative which enables academics and private companies to develop outstanding innovative solutions for the MOD.