Pentagon Seeking Burn Scar Prevention Tech
Site: Army.mil
The Defense Department wants biomedical technology that can stop burn scar formation in the event of deep tissue injuries, Nextgov reports.
According to a small business solicitation notice, nearly 450,000 burn injuries require medical attention in the U.S. each year.
Burn injuries are the cause of five to 10 percent of combat casualties that do not return to duty within 72 hours, the notice said.
The Pentagon said it wants medical methods that would prevent skin contractures, which occur when skin tightens, causing connective tissue to be replaced with inelastic fibrous tissue.
Such injuries can inhibit mobility of muscles, cause nerve damage and harm tendons as well.
Approved solicitors will conduct research necessary to get the Food and Drug Administration’s approval and bring the solution to market.
The Army is also conducting research into methods for diagnosing and treating traumatic brain injuries on the battlefield.