Per Reidar Ørke and Øyvind Tjølsen of Excitus, showing their prototype life-saving tool.

Using technology to help paramedics save lives

24.04.2017

Stavanger-based Excitus are developing a potentially life-saving tool for clearing the respiratory system of cardiac arrest victims. A science partnership with University of Stavanger could provide the final piece of the puzzle.

On Friday April 21, Excitus presented the prototype at a seminar hosted by Norway Pumps & Pipes, the platform for technology transfer from petroleum engineering to medicine and other areas.

When someone’s heart stops, every second counts. In many cases, vomit clogs up the victim’s airways, making the situation even more acute.

That is why paramedics are equipped with suction devices, designed to remove liquids from the patient’s mouth and throat and as such improve the effectiveness of CPR.

Better tool

These devices are, however, far from optimal. According to Per Reidar Ørke of Excitus, the suction machine used in Norwegian ambulances is clunky to operate. Also, the pump takes time to build up vacuum before you can start using it, and afterwards someone has to spend about 90 minutes cleaning the equipment.

– That is why it is among the least favourite devices used by paramedics. Sometimes it is not used, and sometimes the first car to arrive at the scene is not even equipped with it.

The solution, then, seems clear: Provide health personnel with a better tool. Based on feedback from paramedics themselves, Excitus has developed a 3D-printed prototype based on R&D that has so far resulted in seven patent applications.

Field suction unit

Named the Excitus field suction unit, this electric drill-like device is made to satisfy the following criteria:

- One-hand operation
- Ready immediately (no pressure build-up)
- Precise vacuum control
- Single use, disposable pump and canister
- Battery operated
- No more expensive than today’s equipment

One hurdle left

The development team has solved many of these problems along the way, but one major hurdle remains: The functional risk of storing liquids inside a pumping device, which will be moved around and held in all sorts of angles.

How can you make sure that vomit does not run back out of the pump, or ends up in the machinery of the pump itself?

– We have identified two main paths: Mechanical and Chemical absorption. Mechanical solution could be traps, filters, or valves. Examples of chemical absorption include crystals, polymers or geo-mechanical solutions that could turn the liquid into a solid state when it enters the canister, says Ørke.

Science solution?

– In short, we need to find a way to demobilise liquids in a chamber. We are hoping scientists at University of Stavanger could help us find that solution, he says.

The first contact has been made, and a brainstorming between the Excitus development team and UiS researchers will be scheduled as soon as possible.

Text and photo: Leiv Gunnar Lie

Norway Pumps & Pipes in Teknisk Ukeblad
>Read more

Tidewave receives 1 million NOK from the Research Council of Norway
>Read more

Using technology to help paramedics save lives
>Read more

Norway Pumps & Pipes: VR can help elderly patients
>Read more

Visualization solutions from the oil industry can be used in our new hospital
>Read more

Norway Pumps & Pipes at InOILvation - Mulighetsterminalen in Stavanger
>Read more

Lifecycle visualization solution for the new hospital in Stavanger
>Read more

Better health in a virtual world – A feasibility study for the use of Virtual Reality amongst elderly people with dementia and chronic disease
>Read more

Demobilization of liquids in a chamber included in medical suction units for clearing the respiratory system
>Read more

Health technology product for avoiding bedsores
>Read more

Tools from oil and medicine can save lives
>Read more

Norway Pumps & Pipes at the conference ''Pumps & Pipes 10'' in Houston
>Read more

New Norway Pumps & Pipes projects
>Read more

Improved interpretation of MRI data
>Read more

Mathematical models from the oil industry can improve cancer treatment
>Read more

Apply for funding from Norway Pumps & Pipes
>Read more

Nordic Edge 2016
>Read more

From increased oil recovery to increased heart recovery
>Read more

Norway Pumps & Pipes Lunch Seminar Series
>Read more

Norway Pumps & Pipes supports the development of life-saving technology
>Read more

Bent Høie, the Norwegian Minister of Health and Care Services, visits Norway Pumps & Pipes
>Read more

Yet another project funded by Norway Pumps & Pipes
>Read more

Many applications for funding from Norway Pumps & Pipes
>Read more

Invitation to Norway Pumps & Pipes Seminar - Computer Tomography of the heart
>Read more

A letter from Houston: Pumps & Pipes
>Read more

Norway Pumps & Pipes in Teknisk Ukeblad
>Read more