Date: Apr 15, 2013 Source: MDA (
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Energid Technologies, Inc. (Cambridge, MA), is making new inroads commercializing its robotics-control software—this time aiding emergency-room physicians.
The company has developed software that, when paired with a Cyton™ robotic, serves as a tool for clearing a neck-trauma patient's airway and inserting a tube for breathing (intubation). The machine-based, precision approach to intubation—overseen by a human operator—allows a patient to maintain oxygen flow, but without suffering damage to the vocal cords or other organs.
A medical worker can learn to use the robotic system with very little training, since a big part of the work is done by Actin™, a C++ software package developed by Energid for this biomedical technology. The medical practitioner needs only to align the robotic arm at the opening of a patient's mouth and let the automated airway intubation process begin. The technology has been tested at several U.S. hospitals, and Energid continues to move forward with plans to commercialize the robotic intubation system.
MDA originally funded Energid through a 2005 SBIR Phase II contract to develop a 3-D modeling system that could support missile defense needs. Almost immediately after finishing the project, Energid focused on commercialization, developing and demonstrating new robotics technologies from aircraft bridges to surgical training aids.
Energid specializes in software development for robotics and machine-vision tools in the aerospace, biomedical, and petrochemical arenas. The company also develops robotic hardware and tools that can be augmented by proprietary specialized software.
