Novel Device for Wound Irrigation and Debridement

"A significant number of bone and tissue combat injuries require surgical debridement, usually accompanied by irrigation with sterile water with simultaneous suction. While this approach to removal of devitalized tissue has been quite successful, adebrided wound often becomes infected due to insufficient irrigation (volume) or direct contact with pathogens via the irrigation water or surgical materials. This problem is further complicated in battlefield scenarios where supply and casualty carelogistics and availability of sterile water are insufficient for adequate care.To overcome these obstacles faced by far-forward and rear support units, Lynntech will develop a rugged, lightweight debridement irrigation and suction device incorporating two electrochemical technologies in tandem. This new device will allow for thein-line sterilization of any external source of potable water while providing a small amount of short-lived, safe, residual disinfectant to deter infectious microorganisms. In Phase I, Lynntech will design, fabricate, and test the irrigation water system,focusing on durability, weight, source water effect on sterilization, energy (battery) requirements, integration of subsystems, and sterilization efficiency against pathogenic and biofilm-forming bacteria. Phase II will focus on construction, testing anddelivery of wound irrigation/suction device to be further tested in vivo for proof of performance and safety. Manufa