Laser Emitting Diode for Stabilization of Cutaneous Battlefield Wounds for Air Evacuation and Transport
09.30.2009 - 11.14.2011

Wartime injuries present extreme problems in wound management and the modern battlefield places extraordinary adaptability demands on combat medical providers. Contemporary combat care research consistently cites blood loss from extremity wounds and inability to achieve adequate hemostasis as leading causes of preventable death on the modern battlefield. Uncontrolled hemorrhage is responsible for as much as 50% of combat deaths.

In order to address the need for additional measures to stop bleeding and stabilize wounds, the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) has received funding to develop a prototype handheld, self-contained, 1.94mm laser cautery tool. Laser energy can rapidly stabilize active bleeding sites to reduce the incidence of hypovolemia. The potential exists for the inclusion of such a device within the medical armamentarium in the field, during pre-hospital combat medicine care, air evacuation, and in other extraordinary environments.