Device company building handheld scanner to detect brain bleeds using infrared technology

NEWPORT NEWS, Va - Traumatic brain injury has taken center stage as a health concern for both the military and sports professionals.

Last week, Hillier Ignite, a fledgling philanthropic organization based in Virginia Beach, awarded its first Lifesaving Innovation Award to InfraScan Inc., a medical device company that focuses on developing hand-held diagnostic devices for head injury and stroke assessment based on near infrared technology.

Founder Luke Hillier made the award at the Warrior Expo, a trade event sponsored by his company ADS Inc., at the Virginia Beach Convention Center.

Citing his grandmother's experience with a bad fall, Hillier noted the importance of early detection and treatment of a brain bleed. "Right now traumatic brain injury, TBI, is a pressing problem," he said.

His new venture, Hillier Ignite, is committed to supporting entrepreneurial effort and innovation while supporting active duty military and veterans. "This could save the lives of our military and it also has civilian applications," he added.

The Infrascanner Model 2000 is a portable device that screens for intracranial bleeding to determine whether patients need a CT scan and immediate attention. It can be powered by disposable AA batteries. The improved model, based on an earlier prototype, was developed using specifications from the U.S. Marine Corps and it has been field-tested in Afghanistan.

Contract negotiations are under way for its use in the military, said Baruch Ben Dor, president and CEO of InfraScan, who declined to reveal its cost. "It's really saving lives and getting patients the best treatment as fast as possible. Time lost is brain loss," he said.

The palm-size device has been FDA-approved for use in emergency rooms to determine proper prioritization of patient treatment and for those sensitive to CT radiation. It has also been approved for use in intensive care units for bedside monitoring of post-neurosurgery patients.

... and public input

The Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services is seeking public input from those with brain injury and their families and caregivers in order to provide better services.

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Device company building handheld scanner to detect brain bleeds using infrared technology