DoD Describes Novel Medical Applications of Military R&D

The Feb 07 issue of Defense Tech Briefs describes 3 high tech spinoffs of military R&D to medical diagnostics and treatment.

The first innovation out of the US Army Aeromedical Lab uses a portable ultrasound transducer to create a noise-immune stethoscope. A 2.3MHz ultrasound signal is transmitted into the patient's body and reflects off the moving tissues. The reflection is then demodulated into the audible range to create sounds that are sent to earbuds. Because the ultrasound signals are well outside the typical acoustic background, such a device can be used in high-noise environments, such as an evacuation helicopter where levels up to 120dB are possible.

The second application, developed by Celsion Canada, uses Adaptive Phased Array radar technology to focus heating microwaves for the treatment of breast cancer. Localized heating is believed to accelerate tumor cell death when combined with chemotherapy. The phased array allows the microwaves to be focused at points deep in the body without harming surrounding tissues.

Finally, NVE Corporation has developled nano-scale electron spin sensors that are used to tune pacemakers from outside the body. These sensors allow communications with the device using magnetic fields, enhancing the sensitivity and reliability compared to the reed switches that they are designed to replace.