Wrap your mind around this: Devices detect TBI

KUWAIT CITY, Kuwait – Soldiers with 452nd Combat Support Hospital presented traumatic brain injuries detection devices during the Kuwaiti Grand Rounds (KGR) at Kuwait North Military Medical Complex. During KGR, held the last Thursday of every month, both military and civilian medical providers of Kuwait and the United States military come together to present medical lectures, have discussions, and perform demonstrations of equipment.

Sgt. Erin Yankey, an Army Reserve licensed practical nurse, presented the BrainScope One, an FDA-cleared medical device that uses EEG signals to determine whether the patient likely has a brain bleed and/or concussion.

“The BrainScope One is a new device that performs an EEG, and goes through a series of cognitive testing to help determine if a patient needs further neural imaging,” said Yankey, a registered nurse .

This tool would be particular helpful in a combat environment because it’s small enough to take and it assists medical teams determine the urgency of the needs of a patient who may have suffered a brain injury, said Yankey.

“In a forward environment, when you don’t have a CT readily available, this device could tell doctors whether their patient could be monitored for a longer period of time or if they need to evacuate them out for imaging sooner.”

Spc. Anne Veiman, a combat medic and a civilian registered nurse, presented the InfraScanner Model 2000 handheld device, which gives providers a positive or negative report for concussions and other brain bleeding diagnosis.

The emergency room officer-in-charge for the 452nd, and subject matter expert on both devices, Capt. Rodney Noe, said the device could be critical for a forward surgical team.

“In a deployment setting, it helps because it concerns the fighting strength. If a Soldier was on patrol and an IED went off and they were within the (blast) pressure wave, which can cause concussive injury or bleeding, the provider could use the scanner to evaluate and quickly determine if the Soldier needs further care or if they can be kept in the fight,” he said.

The device is still being tested for wide military use.

“This device is still currently in the testing phase in the military. It’s fielded to the Marine Corps and Battalion Aid Stations,” Veiman said.

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Wrap your mind around this: Devices detect TBI

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