1. Seema Biswas, Orit Braun Benyamin, Guy Gino, Leon Jakoel
Innovating low cost and low resource solutions for medical and surgical care is austere environments
Seema Biswas, Orit Braun Benyamin, Guy Gino, Leon Jakoel
Introduction
Medical innovation is rapidly advancing the technology for the diagnosis and treatment of disease. Disparities in healthcare resourcing and infrastructure, however, leave disease in middle and low income countries undiagnosed and untreated. Up to 90% of all surgical procedures performed in the world are performed in high income countries.
The objective of this presentation is to focus efforts on the provision of low cost and low resource technology for use in austere environments where supporting infrastructure may be absent and essential medical care must be delivered safely and effectively without access to an electricity or water supply.
Methods
Over the last 18 months an engineering college and surgical facility have joined forces to research and innovate low cost and low resource solutions to medical and surgical problems encountered on humanitarian assistance field missions.
Brainstorming sessions take place in the hospital operating theatre, the biomechanical engineering laboratory, and in global health workshops. Problems tackled have included the provision of operating lights, intensive care beds, diathermy cautery of bleeding vessels and vacuum assisted wound dressings.
Results
In the biomechanical engineering laboratory low cost innovative solutions have been designed. Some of these have been produced using 3-D printers and some built from alternatives to current models in use that require a mains high-voltage electricity supply. These models are being tested and evaluated by the joint engineering and medical team and are ready for demonstration. The models are light, portable and independent of a mains electricity supply. Safety and utility features are integral to their design.
Conclusions
There is a need to focus on technology that advances medical and surgical care in low and middle income countries. Simple designs that are easily produced, maintained and repaired are crucial. Only by working together can physicians and engineers work towards global health solutions.