The healthcare arm of the Dutch electronics giant, Philips, just recently signed a non-exclusive license with the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory to use the Battlefield Assisted Trauma Distribution Kit or BATDOK, a remote patient monitoring application that runs of on mobile devices such as a smartphone or a tablet computer.

The BATDOK is part of the Battlefield Air Targeting Man-Aided Knowledge or BATMAN the technology program of the U.S. Air Force that focuses on dismounted Airmen.  With the BATDOK, PJs or the Pararescue will be able to treat and monitor multiple patients at the same time. Previously, it was mainly more of a one to one.

In checking a patient, wireless sensors are placed and these will send vitals to the mobile device and the PJ will be able to act on the information that is shown on the screen. Since it is a mobile application it can be used in remote areas and thus can be a valuable tool for civilian use such as areas hit by calamities.

The license agreement was finalized last July 10  according to Techlink, the group that works with marketing inventions from the Department of Defense Labs  and help in putting together licensing agreements with the private sector to put these inventions for commercial/civilian use. The financial terms were not revealed and will allow Philips to pursue product development using BATDOK and be able to offer the technology solution to government and civilian customers.

“By combining exceptional mobility, user experience, and reliability, Philips will use Batdok to improve patient monitoring. This all-in-one mobile solution will enhance care delivery by bringing critical data to decision makers.” said Kirk Hendler, Philips’ vice-president of business development for government solutions.

Photo: BATDOK used in mass casualty training (Source: 711th Human Performance Wing, Human Effectiveness Directorate)

“We’re confident Philips will deliver products with multiple levels of benefit,” said Dr. Jim Kearns, technology transfer and domestic alliances manager for the 711th Human Performance Wings. “The Wing has brilliant people doing cutting-edge research. Collaboration with businesses, case in point, enhances their work and gets it to the warfighter.”

Will the commercial version of the BATDOK from Philips have its own use in airsoft? Perhaps, depending on the airsoft event such as grueling milsim events that take place in the outdoors. A trained marshal or medic on the BATDOK can monitor any injured player in case of an accident while waiting for emergency services. But for the civilian sector, a tool will soon be available for better patient monitoring especially in remote locations.

Top photo: BATDOK worn on the wrist (Source: 711th Human Performance Wing, Human Effectiveness Directorate)