Portable High Resolution C-scan Ultrasound Camera for Diagnosis of Bone Fractures and Soft Tissue Injury

In this project, Imperium Inc. proposes to develop a non-invasive, non-ionization, portable, high-resolution ultrasound imaging device. This C-scan device can be made to investigate undisplaced fractures of the facial bones and extremities and the potential contamination of soft tissue wounds with foreign matter. Injury with pain and tenderness without fracture could often be treated locally while a facial fracture would require evacuation. Foreign matter in superficial wounds needs to be identified and removed. Conventional B-mode ultrasound is difficult for the novice to interpret and is incapable of finding fine bone fractures due to the inherent “slice” nature of the scan. X-ray facilities are often limited in forward combat environments. In addition, x-ray is not sensitive to low Z objects such as aluminum, glass, or plastic foreign objects inside the body. A small, lightweight portable ultrasound system for the identification of undisplaced fractures and foreign matter in soft tissue wounds would aid in the decision for or against medical evacuation.