Advanced Surgical Suite for Trauma Casualties
 
 
    The U.S. Army and the Marines Corps wanted to develop a small, mobile, lightweight, self-contained medical facility to bring resuscitative surgery to severely wounded casualties on the battlefields. To enable the facility to be airlifted by helicopter, airlifted in a V-22 Osprey, or towed behind a HumVee, the unit needed to fit in a box 5 ft x 5 ft x 10 ft and weigh less than 4000 lbs. 

    To build the prototype for this innovative "hospital in a box," the Army and the Marines came to the Y-12 National Security Complex. Drawing on technical resources throughout the Oak Ridge Complex, the project team took on the challenge of developing an Advanced Surgical Suite for Trauma Casualties (ASSTC) that could be set up in less than 30 minutes, yet include a complete operating suite in a climate-controlled tent capable of providing some protection from chemical and biological agents.
 
In developing the prototype, Oak Ridge drew on its extensive expertise in: 
  • Precision manufacturing
  • Concurrent engineering
  • Ergonomic design and testing
  • Composite materials
  • Rapid prototyping
Ten months after the presentation of the concept, Oak Ridge delivered a fully functional prototype to the Army and the Marines—on time and within budget. The ASSTC prototype exceeded expectations and included a patented hinge designed specifically for the project. ASSTC is also being developed for civilian applications, including emergency response and disaster relief. 
 
 
 
In recognition of Y-12's diverse, integrated capabilities and its commitment  
to succeeding with high-risk projects, the U.S. Congress in 1997 designated Y-12   
as a National Prototype Center.  

For information, phone 1-800-356-4USA or visit our web site: http://orcmt.oakridge.org/npc.html