Title: Emergency trauma board
Funder: Department of Health and Social Care

Abstract: Sciencetobusiness Ltd propose to develop a new emergency trauma board which is light-weight, conformable to patient size, suitable for easy deployment by one person and allows warming of the patient. The proposed new system will involve the use of a new low cost composite polymer material with a low Tg (glass transition temperature) such that above 60 degrees C the thin polymer sheet quickly becomes flexible and pliable allowing it to be conformed to fit around and hold the patient. The material to be used is a polymer/wood-chip composite available in a range of thicknesses (1, 2, 4mm) which will be cut to shape with cut out handles / strap attachment points. The emergency trauma board will also include a series of parallel heating channels. As a first step the heating channel closest to the patient s size would be warmed to allow the board to conform to the patient. The board will rapidly cool and set to the correct shape allowing the patient to be immobilised when moved or transported. If required all heating channels can be gently warmed to either 30, 37 or 43 degrees C to keep the patient comfortable. The proposed solution will be developed to be compatible with various medical requirements: 1. For the product to be compatible with x-rays or MRI scanners the heating channels will use either warm air pumped through channels or screen printed conductive carbon epoxy heaters. During development both approaches will be trialled. 2. The surface in contact with the patient will be a metalized Polyester (PET) foil &ldquo;blizzard blanket&rdquo; material. This material will be laminated onto the polymer composite to provide a smooth surface resistant to blood, water and penetration of impurities. The metalized PET will also provide some heat reflection / insulation to the patient. 3. Although the board can be readily conformed to the patient, it will be supplied flat allowing for easy storage on an ambulance or helicopter. 4. The warming will be provided via low voltage electrical heating or pumped warm air. The heater control will use a switchable 12V supply or mains electrical supply allowing use by ambulances, rapid response vehicles, helicopters, or at accident scenes at sporting venues and battle/disaster relief sites. The proposed system will be a Class 1 non-sterile single use medical device with a small electrical heater controller being subject to the requirements if ISO60601 (Electrical Safety for Medical Devices).

Lay abstract: Sciencetobusiness Ltd propose to develop a new emergency trauma board which is light-weight, conformable to patient size, suitable for easy deployment by one person and allows warming of the patient. The proposed new system will involve the use of a new low cost composite polymer material with a low Tg (glass transition temperature) such that above 60 degrees C the thin polymer sheet quickly becomes flexible and pliable allowing it to be conformed to fit around and hold the patient. The material to be used is a polymer/wood-chip composite available in a range of thicknesses (1, 2, 4mm) which will be cut to shape with cut out handles / strap attachment points. The emergency trauma board will also include a series of parallel heating channels. As a first step the heating channel closest to the patient s size would be warmed to allow the board to conform to the patient. The board will rapidly cool and set to the correct shape allowing the patient to be immobilised when moved or transported. If required all heating channels can be gently warmed to either 30, 37 or 43 degrees C to keep the patient comfortable. The proposed solution will be developed to be compatible with various medical requirements: 1. For the product to be compatible with x-rays or MRI scanners the heating channels will use either warm air pumped through channels or screen printed conductive carbon epoxy heaters. During development both approaches will be trialled. 2. The surface in contact with the patient will be a metalized Polyester (PET) foil &ldquo;blizzard blanket&rdquo; material. This material will be laminated onto the polymer composite to provide a smooth surface resistant to blood, water and penetration of impurities. The metalized PET will also provide some heat reflection / insulation to the patient. 3. Although the board can be readily conformed to the patient, it will be supplied flat allowing for easy storage on an ambulance or helicopter. 4. The warming will be provided via low voltage electrical heating or pumped warm air. The heater control will use a switchable 12V supply or mains electrical supply allowing use by ambulances, rapid response vehicles, helicopters, or at accident scenes at sporting venues and battle/disaster relief sites. The proposed system will be a Class 1 non-sterile single use medical device with a small electrical heater controller being subject to the requirements if ISO60601 (Electrical Safety for Medical Devices).

Research activity codes: 5.3 MEDICAL DEVICES
Health categories: INJURIES AND ACCIDENTS