SFC Fluidics, a company in Fayetteville, Arkansas, has recently been awarded $5 million in funds from a federal contract to produce a handheld device to diagnose traumatic brain injuries in minutes. Questions have arisen recently over the efficacy of current methods of identifying and diagnosing traumatic brain injuries in head injury and concussion victims. The federal government has acted to resolve the issue by dedicating such a large amount of money to the effort to better diagnose brain injuries.
The device works by conducting a fast analysis of a single drop of blood from a head injury victim. The analysis of the blood appears on a screen. The device monitors and analyzes the level of various biomarkers in the blood known to indicate brain injuries of varying severity. The readout displayed on the screen also rate the brain injury, if one has indeed occurred, from mild to severe.
The device promises to advance the scientific and medical understanding of the mechanisms involved in traumatic brain injuries, and how the brain responds just moments after enduring a serious injury, an Arkansas Business article reported. This data-gathering aspect of the new technology could lead to improvements in treatment protocols and more efficient responses to various types of brain injuries.
Clinical trials of SFC’s new handheld brain-injury diagnosis device are set to begin in the summer of 2013, the article reported. Pending FDA approval and further study, the device could be ready for the market in less than 5 years. The device holds much promise for everyone from combat troops in Afghanistan and Iraq to cheerleaders, football and hockey players, bicyclists and motorcyclists, and all other groups of people at increased risk of suffering a traumatic brain injury.
With a device that provides a conclusive diagnosis of traumatic brain injury, coaches, fellow soldiers, and athletic trainers will be able to focus on providing the necessary support for the people in their care rather than trying to guess whether or not a brain injury has occurred. That will mean a much greater chance of receiving efficient and effective treatment fast, when it matters the mostas soon as possible.
References:
Keys, Rob. (January 11, 2010) ‘SFC Fluidics Working On Mobile Brain Injury Device.’ Retrieved on January 11, 2010 from the Arkansas Business website:http://www.arkansasbusiness.com/article.aspx?aid=0.0.131662