Suction Capability for Emergencies: Portable Technology for Responders (SCEPTRE)

Background: Airway compromise is the second leading cause of potentially survivable battlefield deaths. When assessing a casualty, combat medics have a few precious seconds to assess the oral cavity to determine if the airway is blocked. Once unblocked via suction, the medic must maintain a clear airway to assure passage of air and access for additional intervention. In better equipped settings such as hospitals, providers use powerful, wall-powered suction to clear obstructions and determine damage. However, the available “portable” battery powered systems are not powerful enough to remove thick vomit or blood. Our initial marketing surveys show available products are not adequate in power and function. Furthermore, many medical settings require suction for other lifesaving indications such as chest tubes or wound VACs. We have previously developed high-powered portable suction units for use by combat medics and propose to expand this design to encompass a broader capability that addresses the needs of AF end-users including damage control surgery, en-route care, and prolonged field care. Our objective is to create a pocket-sized, portable, and versatile powered suction device to address these needs. Objective:  EmergenceMed’s Suction Capability for Emergencies: Portable Technology for Responders (SCEPTRE) is a robust, portable, and scalable solution for emergency medical services, ambulatory services, health care workers (HCWs) and health systems who require stronger, lighter, and more versatile suction solutions from the point of injury and pre-hospital care to in-patient hospitalizations. This device will be an ultra-portable pocket-sized suction device that can replace existing defense suction needs in many applications for both military and civilian settings. Our objective is to complete a feasibility study ahead of prototype concept validation in rapid schedule for the SCEPTRE. Specific Aims:  Aim 1: Business Case: Assess the market demand, competition, economic viability, and customer needs for a pocket-sized suction unit intended for Air Force medical or emergency use. Aim 2: Regulatory and Compliance Review: Identify and assess the regulatory and compliance requirements for bringing a pocket-sized suction unit to market. Aim 3: Low-Fidelity Prototype: Design and develop a low-fidelity prototype per customer specifications Deliverables: Funding for this effort will be used to conduct a market feasibility study, assess regulatory pathways, identify end-user specifications, and build a low-fidelity prototype for SCEPTRE version in Air Force and joint simulated medical environments for committed end users. The deliverables will include finalizing with the Air Force customer/end-user requirements and prototype design; fabricating and validating prototypes on a benchtop setting; providing Air Force customer/end users hands-on comparative assessment and confirming requirements are met in preparation for Phase 2.