KGMU doctors develop portable device to detect internal bleeding in trauma patients

Lucknow: Doctors at King George's Medical University (KGMU), Lucknow, have developed a portable, screen-free device that can quickly detect internal bleeding in trauma patients, enabling emergency teams to identify life-threatening injuries during the crucial 'golden hour' after an accident. The inventors have filed a patent for the innovation, while final approval is awaited.

The handheld device has been developed by the KGMU's Chief Medical Superintendent and Trauma Surgeon, Prof Prem Raj Singh along with the university's Medical Superintendent, Prof Amiya Agarwal. It is designed to detect abnormal fluid, including internal bleeding, in the abdomen, a condition that is often difficult to identify immediately after road accidents or other traumatic injuries.

Unlike conventional ultrasound machines, the device does not require a display screen or a trained radiologist to operate. It can be operated by ambulance staff, paramedics and emergency responders with minimal training, making it suitable for ambulances, district hospitals and rural healthcare centres where advanced imaging facilities may not be available.

To use this device, the probe is placed over the patient's abdomen, where it analyses the presence of fluid and alerts the user if abnormal fluid, such as blood, is detected. It can operate on both battery and electricity, allowing it to be used even in resource-limited settings.

Explaining the need for the device, the developers noted that while external bleeding can often be controlled with first aid, internal bleeding frequently remains unnoticed until the patient's condition worsens.

The team estimates that 30-35% of trauma patients suffer from internal bleeding, many of whom require urgent specialised treatment. The device can also be used repeatedly to monitor whether bleeding is increasing over time, helping clinicians decide if a patient requires immediate transfer to a higher centre.

“Many trauma patients suffer internal blood loss that is not immediately visible. Early detection can help healthcare workers decide whether a patient requires urgent transfer to a specialised trauma centre,” Prof Singh said, reports ET HealthWorld.

The doctors said the portable device is intended to support emergency care in ambulances, district hospitals and rural healthcare centres, where access to advanced imaging facilities is often limited. The patent application for the innovation has already been published, while final approval is awaited.