Technology for Genitourinary Tissue Repair

Advancements in body armor combined with better combat casualty care have greatly increased the survival rate of soldiers suffering battlefield trauma injuries. The increased survivability, however, has resulted in an increase of wounded warriors being sent home with severe injuries that ultimately reduce their quality of life post-treatment, especially those with severe damage to genitourinary tissues and organs. The catastrophic damage caused to the genitourinary (GU) system by these injuries extends well beyond physical impairment, drastically affecting the quality of life for wounded warriors. Often times, side effects include incontinence, sexual side effects, fertility, loss of reproductive capabilities, and hormonal problems, all of which can lead to psychological disorders that effect not only the wounded warrior, but also their families. New treatment methods are needed to preserve the function of the genitourinary system whenever possible. Towards these ends, TDA Research, Inc. has developed a novel perfusion system for the salvage and repair of trauma injured genitourinary tissue. It combines a novel perfusate which can oxygenate tissue without having to use blood (which has supply and type matching problems) and a portable, ruggedized, automated perfusion machine. This system will increase the preservation time for genitourinary tissue, enabling advanced treatments or transplant capabilities.