Medical Development

The Medical Development program within the Navy focuses on advancing biomedical equipment and techniques to improve medical care for combat casualties. This initiative aims to reduce morbidity, ensure personnel are medically qualified for duty, and facilitate the evacuation of casualties to fixed medical facilities for definitive care. The program emphasizes military requirements, with efforts justified by military payoff and cost benefits. There is significant potential for dual-use technology transfer and collaboration with biotechnology firms and industries.

A key component of this program is the Medical/Dental Equipment Development project. This project seeks to develop expeditionary medical systems and equipment to save warfighter lives. It involves evaluating physiological monitoring sensor systems in military environments, developing neurocognitive tools, and testing autonomous aerial technology for logistics of critical medical supplies. Additionally, it includes initiatives like Human Performance Optimization to enhance warfighter capabilities in distributed maritime environments.

The Expeditionary Medical Family of Systems project is another critical aspect, focusing on increasing the agility and scalability of medical services. This involves developmental testing and evaluation of systems such as Certified Diagnostic Mobile Laboratories and Expeditionary Resuscitative Surgical Systems. The goal is to support Naval Expeditionary Health Services' operational capabilities, particularly in distributed maritime operations.

Congressional Adds within the Medical Development program have supported specific research areas such as military dental research and mitigating circadian misalignment. These efforts include craniofacial injury surveillance, combat dentistry, and research on circadian rhythm adjustments. These projects aim to address unique challenges faced by military personnel, enhancing their readiness and resilience in various operational environments.