The US Army Medical Research and Materiel Command (USAMRMC) is conducting market research on technology solutions for reducing the need for fasciotomies in trauma victims at risk for the development of extremity compartment syndrome.
Compartment syndrome (CS) is a condition in which intramuscular pressure becomes sufficiently elevated to reduce myoneural blood flow to the point of causing tissue ischemia. CS frequently occurs following trauma, ischemia or reperfusion injury, and prolonged tourniquet use in the extremity.
If untreated, CS causes permanent muscle and nerve injury, rhabdomyolysis and possible renal failure, and even death. Conditions in battlefield trauma facilities can make the diagnosis of CS difficult and can result in undiagnosed CS. The condition can also develop during air transport to medical treatment facilities.
Concerns for catastrophic outcomes due to delaying treatment or failing to diagnose CS have lead to a Department of Defense policy involving the liberal use of fasciotomies in at risk patients. However, fasciotomy is associated with a number of morbidities involving long-term consequences, including chronic venous insufficiency and limb swelling, deep vein thrombosis, tethering of overlying skin, surgical site infections, and pruritis.
USAMRMC invites companies to respond with information about commercially available products, or products in development, that meet or can be readily modified to reduce the need for fasciotomy in patients at-risk for development of CS.
Further details are available under Solicitation Number: MRMC-RFI-2013. The response deadline is May 28, 2013.
