Coming soon!
Archive for the ‘Medical’ Category
Sneak Peek – Gen 7 CAT by North American Rescue
Friday, October 30th, 2015XTRACT 2 Evacuation Litter Recommended By National Tactical Officers Association (NTOA) Members
Thursday, October 22nd, 2015We first mentioned the XTRACT 2 during last year’s SOMA. Since then, we’ve run across it at a couple of trade shows including DSEI in London. In fact, the British Army recently adopted the device.
Westerville, Ohio (2015/10/22) – A rapid casualty extraction device that has been adopted by agencies all over the world has now been tested and recommended by the members of the National Tactical Officers Association.
“We are very excited and proud to have the NTOA members award the XTRACT 2 4.5 stars out of 5 and recommend it for use by their officers all across the country” says Kingfisher Medical’s Vice President Bob Otter. The Xtract 2 allows operators to rapidly package a casualty and remove them from harm’s way. “For such a strong device to be so lightweight and easy to carry into an operational area makes it truly unique and without a doubt, will help these agencies save more lives” continues Otter. “If you look at other devices that were first adopted by the military and then recognized as invaluable tools for civilian response agencies, this device falls right into that same category, battlefield tested and now available for use on the street”.
The XTRACT 2 weighs less than 3 pounds and is smaller than a football but is rated to over 600lbs and can be used as a drag or carry stretcher. It is made of Duraelite fabric and uses a bungee system to cocoon the patient safely into the device. “if you have a tourniquet applied to an extremity or a wound packed with hemostatic gauze, it is necessary to pay attention to how you move those victims. If you have applied a life-saving intervention, the worst thing that can happen is you lose that progress you gained by jarring it loose during evacuation” says Otter. The XTRACT 2, even though it takes only seconds to package a patient in, secures them and protects their injuries throughout transport.
NTOA Officers said this about the device:
“If you are looking for a lightweight stretcher for multipurpose use, then this would need to be put at the top of the list” – NTOA Evaluator in North Carolina
“What I found was a very well made, versatile product that WORKED from point of injury to the LZ” – NTOA Evaluator in Massachusetts
The XTRACT 2 is currently being used by law enforcement and EMS agencies throughout the world and has been named the frontline stretcher for the British Army.
Marshall confirms capabilities in providing military vehicle stretcher systems
Sunday, September 13th, 2015Media Release
Date: 10th September 2015
Casualty handling on the battlefield is critical to maintaining moral. To achieve this not only is excellent training needed but also a high quality ambulance fit out. Marshall Aerospace and Defence Group has developed a range of stretcher systems to be fitted into armoured ambulances and will be discussing these during DSEI 2015 on stand S3-310.
The systems have been developed based on the proven experience of supplying stretcher solutions for a range of armoured ambulances in service across Europe and over 800 stretcher systems for the ubiquitous Land Rover Ambulance which has been in service around the world for over 40 years with the British and other Armies.
“The skills of our engineering teams in developing these stretcher systems demonstrate that not only that Marshall is able to work closely with the end user and our partners but also has the innovate skills to deliver a quality, long lasting solution which is fit for purpose,” said Steve Fitz-Gerald, Chief Executive of Marshall Aerospace and Defence Group.
“Whenever nations are either upgrading their vehicle fleets or purchasing new ones there are opportunities for us to integrate the medical equipment into the clinical white space as well as provide stretcher systems using our proven vehicle engineering skills,” he added.
The stretcher systems are designed to maximise the working space in each type of vehicle for the medical attendant to monitor and treat the casualty, whether on a stretcher or seated.
The loading systems are engineered to minimise the effort and time of loading the stretcher by the combat medics into the vehicle so reducing the risk to themselves, the casualty and the vehicle.
Military Hardware – SAVE Tourniquet
Wednesday, September 9th, 2015Utilizing a Boa closure, the SAVE tourniquet is definitely a different take on windlass-free designs.
You can also check out this video taken by my friend Thumpy at Marine South of the SAVE tourniquet.
shop.militaryhardware.us/SAVE-Tourniquet
More On Counterfeit Tourniquets From CTOMS
Tuesday, September 8th, 2015CTOMS conducted three tests in which they self-applied two counterfeit Combat Application Tourniquet (E-CAT or Element CAT) and one real C-A-T to a healthy thigh. Continuous Doppler ultrasound was conducted to assess the distal pulse. Tourniquets were tightened until failure or it was too painful to continue to tighten.
While this video is two years old, it demonstrates how dangerous counterfeit tourniquets are. The bottom line is, buy your tourniquets from approved sources. The buck you save, may cost a life.
ATS Tactical Gear – Mini IFAK System
Sunday, September 6th, 2015
ATS’ Mini IFAK System is a two-piece kit, designed to be mounted on a duty belt. It consists of an outer pouch, and an inner tray. The pouch is constructed of 500D Cordura fabric, with a fold-over, Velcro-closed adjustable belt loop. The inner tray is a custom, smaller version of the ATS Medical Insert. A red nylon loop at the top of the insert makes it easy to remove from the pouch. The tray has two elastic loops for organizing medical supplies, and is stiffened with HDPE for rigidity, making it easy to deploy on the ground next to a casualty.
The Mini IFAK System is available in Black, and is covered by ATS’ lifetime warranty.
ITS Tactical Updates Medical Lineup
Friday, August 28th, 2015ITS Tactical has updated their EDC Kit to now include a full-sized SOFTT-W Tourniquet while still retaining the small form factor that fits in your back pocket.
Contents:
• QuikCLot Combat Gauze LE (Features X-Ray Detectable Strip)
• SOFTT-W Tourniquet
• Nitrile Gloves (Pair)
• Contents List w/ CoTCCC Care Under Fire Instructions
• Your choice of Coyote Brown or Black Sleeve (Made in USA)
Newly redesigned to contain a full-size tourniquet, the EDC Trauma Kit is the original vacuum-sealed pocket trauma kit and the smallest, full-featured pocket kit on the market. Perfect for your back pocket to provide the ability to carry lifesaving equipment with you wherever you go.
The EDC Trauma Kit is literally the size of an average wallet, can be stuffed in a back pocket and only weighs 6 ounces with the included pouch. The lightweight nylon sleeve protects your EDC Kit against damage and potential puncturing of the vacuum seal while being carried in your pocket or bag. Their nylon sleeves are also printed to denote medical equipment.
Each kit is hand assembled and vacuum sealed at the ITS HQ in Texas using nearly all US-made components (Nitrile Gloves are the only overseas item.)
Expiration dates vary depending on individual components, but ITS strives to provide at least a five-year shelf life for the first to expire item.
How One Woman Turned Her Field Medical Equipment Manufacturing Business on Its Head
Friday, August 21st, 2015When your family has been in the business of making field hospital beds for more than 60 years with designs that are still in use today, what do you do for an encore? You make an even better bed that adheres to the same standards of quality for which that the corporation has become known. That’s exactly what Christine Brenner did, and her attention to detail and dedication to her customers shine through in every aspect of her corporation’s products.
In 2011, Christine came into the family business spotlight as the owner and CEO after the passing of her husband Sidney Brenner. Ever since she took the reins of the 60-plus year-old company, she has continued to uphold Brenner Metal Products Corp’s reputation for quality while refining and redefining the corporation’s offerings and products to better suit customers’ requirements. But as Brenner will tell you, it has not been smooth sailing and she has done her fair share of kicking and screaming to get the corporation where it is today.
While the corporation makes more than adjustable field hospital beds, this product has certainly become the feature item as a testament to the exacting attention to detail and specifications that brought mainstream production of the bed back to Brenner. Brenner Metal Products Corp. was the original manufacturer for the Department of Defense (DOD) beds in the 1960s. While their original design has definitely stood the test of time, new requirements prompted U.S. Army Medical Material Agency (USAMMA) leaders to revamp the original design.
The request for a new design came out in 2012, during Christine’s transition to the president and CEO seat. The bid went unanswered and USAMMA officials, unable to find a design that met their specifications, settled on an unmodified bed. The contract went into limbo.
It wasn’t until 2013, after dwindling DOD requests and a noticeable shift in the way government agencies made purchases, Brenner began asking questions about new procurement methods before finally being directed to a “DOD Vendor Day.” It was there, she met USAMMA officials who informed her of the previous request in 2012 and the existing necessity for a modified bed that could meet all specifications. As Brenner stated, “I needed to find a place where I could fit back in. It felt good to finally find an audience because it gave me an opportunity to make Brenner Metal the corporation it needed to be. This was my time to define the business.”
Brenner asked for a shot at the contract and was given consideration for the bid based on the corporation’s past performance and a long-standing tradition of excellence with regard to the existing field hospital bed design. There was no doubt in her mind that her team could match the desired specifications, stating that this redesign was more than just a “square-filler” project but rather would be the result of thoughtful design. This was her opportunity to prove that Brenner Metal Products Corp. could once again deliver the types of products that would hit every mark and stand the test of time.
“When we received the request, my team and I were determined to give them [USAMMA] exactly what they were looking for,” said Brenner. “I can do it. I gave myself three months to give them everything they wanted. In the end, it was exactly what they needed. I went beyond what they had asked for and they didn’t change a thing.”
The team at Brenner was shooting for perfection, but that can only be achieved by asking copious questions, lots of trial and error and unwavering attention to detail, all the way down to what type of clip to use when securing the bed for transport and the length of the bedrails. There was obviously a deliberate hand in the creation of this product. Laughing, Brenner states that she will never be finished perfecting this bed. It’s the thing that keeps her up at night and she wouldn’t have it any other way.
“I was only given very general specs so I had to put this together in my own mind and think what would be best,” said Brenner. “But I knew, this would be the thing that redefined who we are as a company. After lots and lots queries and research, we made the bed what we thought it should be. I built it for the end-user. If anybody truly deserves the very best, our wounded warriors do.”
The field hospital folding bed is constructed of aluminum alloy and weighs only 70 lbs. It was modified for use by field medical personnel at fixed medical installations. Now, the bed consists of an outer frame with attached folding hinged legs and pad-type feet, modified to interchange with caster wheels at either end. The head can be raised to 65 degrees in order to support sitting or lowered for the Trendelenberg position, where the head is lowered and the feet are elevated. Accessories include a swivel tray, detachable side rails, adjustable feet pads, castor wheels, mattress pad, mesh under mount shelf and personal effects bag. The bed, along with all components easily fits into a nylon bag with Velcro buckles for easy transport, all proudly made in Wallington, N.J.
Improvements from the currently in-use field hospital bed are the adjustable side rails, a three-inch mattress pad for extended patient care, adjustable leg positions at one-inch increments, interchangeable six-inch castor wheels and a dual purpose swivel arm mayo tray, to name a few.
While this bed will undoubtedly see plenty of action in remote field hospitals around the world, its most noteworthy venue will be as one of the components of UN Level II hospitals currently being sourced by the U.S. State Department, through ADS, Inc. The latest request for these facilities was provided to Togo for support in Mali. The connection came as part of ADS’ kitted solution that provides fully DOD and FDA qualified UN Level II medical centers for use in designated areas of conflict. More than 45 partners joined with ADS, Inc., the Virginia Beach-based solutions provider and force multiplier to develop a one-stop medical solution for the U.S. State Department. The entire facility can be transported anywhere in the world via six, 20-foot shipping containers. Brenner’s portable, folding field hospital bed is an important part of that solution.
What’s the next step for Brenner’s team? After partnering with ADS, she began fielding orders from U.S. Marine Corps medical teams, as well as continuing to fulfill orders for adjustable field hospital beds to USAMMA and the DOD. Brenner views the ADS partnership as the game-changer when it comes to taking her business to the next level. “I’m really excited to work with ADS because our partnership put my product out there at different level. I have domestic and international exposure now. It’s really going to take me to the next level.”
Brenner also plans on revisiting and reengineering other medical field equipment, breathing new life into the tried and true designs of the business. Her take on this, “I am excited for the opportunity to modify and create products that will satisfy my customers and brand Brenner Metal Products as a leader in supplying medical field equipment for the next generation.”
Thanks to ADS for this cool story about Brenner Metal Products Corp.
