About 15% of combat injuries sustained during conventional land warfare involve thorax wounds. Many intrathoracic wounds cause pneumothorax (PTX). PTX is clinically defined as a collection of gas or air in the pleural space, the space that surrounds the lung. This loss of pleural integrity causes the lung to collapse, significantly impacting respiration. A relatively simple procedure of chest tube placement can correct PTX. First responders are trained to perform a chest tube placement procedure. However, PTX is difficult to diagnose on the battlefield. A non-invasive diagnostic tool available to first responders for detecting pneumothorax in the presence of high ambient noise would improve casualty treatment on the battlefield and during transport. This proposal will result in development of a handheld device for diagnosis of PTX based on percussion and auscultation. The device will be low cost and provide automated diagnostic information with an easy to understand display. Our data indicate that this device is feasible and that the development of a commercialized handheld PTX detector is possible within 1 to 2 years. Our company has considerable experience in clinical studies of lung sounds, including Pneumothorax. We also have established capabilities for developing medical devices and securing FDA approval.
Keywords: Pneumothorax, Medical, Device, Percussion, Lung, Sounds
