$10M awarded by DoD to make portable brain ultrasound battlefield-ready

The U.S. Army has hired a brain-health company to develop and supply a portable ultrasound system for assessing traumatic brain injuries on or near the field of combat.

The 18-month contract calls for Los Angeles-based Neural Analytics to receive $10 million to customize its Lucid transcranial Doppler device.

The system will operate as a single, portable unit that needs minimal maintenance and is easy to use without advanced training, according to the company.

The order was placed by the Army’s Medical Research and Materiel Command, which is headquartered in Fort Detrick, Md.

Columbus, Ohio-based Battelle will augment the project with technical input and engineering expertise aimed at “enabling ruggedization and miniaturization suitable to meet military requirements,” Neural Analytics says in a news release.

“We believe our technology will be the first of its kind targeted for a military environment,” Leo Petrossian, PhD., the company’s CEO, says in prepared remarks.

After completing the present project, Neural Analytics plans to commercialize the technology for civilian use while continuing its work as a Department of Defense supplier.

Dave Pearson

Dave P. has worked in journalism, marketing and public relations for more than 30 years, frequently concentrating on hospitals, healthcare technology and Catholic communications. He has also specialized in fundraising communications, ghostwriting for CEOs of local, national and global charities, nonprofits and foundations.

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