"Ultrasound to treat war wounds"

[Enzo]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/5106598.stm

This is a few years off but I like the concept and the technology, while challenging, may prove to be viable. Give it a look.

Any thoughts?

 

[JANES]

The concept has been worked on for a few years now.  The company is hoping to have a finished product in 2009 I believe was their proposed date...ish.

The device basically finds and cautorizes the internally bleeding vessel with a beam, so no surgical cutting required.  The problem is vessels travel in bundles with nerves, and the nerve gets fried too.  Vessels can repair themselves, a or surgeons can repair them.  Unfortunately when a nerve is cooked it in not repairable.

Lets hope the technology get better.

This should probably be in the medical forum.

 

[Enzo]

This should probably be in the medical forum.

I was on the fence, thought that as this was news on the BBC site I'd start here. If the mods move, no worries.

As for the proposed unit, they didn't get into any specifics: cost per unit, size, battery life, etc. Any idea as to such?

 

[JANES]

Here are the companies and orgs invloved.  I dont think that the project is that far advanced to predict the data that you're inquiring about.  If you have a keen interest in it check out these sites.

http://www.therus.com/

http://www.acoustxcorp.com/index.html

http://www.darpa.mil/SPO/Programs/DBAC.htm

 

[Enzo]

I always have a keen interest in anything that can either keep me in one piece or put me back together.  ;D

Thanks for the links, I'll look at them after I reply.

 

[sdimock]

Speaking as a biomed, I wouldn't hold my breath on this, I worked on a similar type of project (from a physics point of view ) in the mid 90's and some of the issues as I recall are, crystals ability to have sufficient output power (break down and separate from cover and backing), acoustic contact (any air or contaminates will interfere with US beam travel) , and if you have a flexible cuff for the wounded area you have focus issues (imaging and power output).

I'm not saying it's impossible but there are some major hurdles to overcome.