Project Description:

Our prototype is a portable, lightweight, and collapsible blood cooler to be used by Special Operations combat medics in the field for emergency blood transfusions. The device, known as Dracula’s Mini-Fridge (DMF), is a <5 lb case capable of storing 1-2 500 mL blood bags for up to 24 hours at a time at the required temperature range of 2-8 °C. The current standard is a 22 lb case that holds 4-6 blood bags but can be carried by only one medic of the six-member team. Even after it is emptied, the medic still has to use one hand to carry it back at its full size while also helping injured patients. With our design, we free up that hand and allow the team of 6 combat medics to carry more blood as a unit. Putting the DMF alongside their rucksack will allow both hands to be free and by reducing the number of blood bags in each case, it decreases the weight that medics have to carry. The inflatable design allows the users to deflate and store the case in a more space efficient manner once the blood is used. This device is relevant to the 39000 Combat Medics that are tasked to save the life of those injured in combat, of which 780 are Special Ops. With an estimated price of $1500 based on predicate devices, this gives us a total available market of $58.5 million, of which $1.17 million is serviceable for our user base. With our device special operation combat medics will be less encumbered, making them able to traverse the fields easier and reach the point of injury faster, saving more lives and getting our soldiers home.