WPI to Receive $2 Million for Medical Defense Technology
WASHINGTON, Sept. 29 – The Worcester Polytechnic Institute’s Center for Untethered Healthcare could receive $2 million as part of this year’s defense spending bill.
The legislation was approved by the Senate appropriations committee Wednesday morning and is currently being debated on the Senate floor. The bill, which is expected to pass, would provide $440.2 billion in new spending for the Department of Defense.
Massachusetts organizations specializing in defense, health, security, naval and other military technologies would receive $145 million.
The Untethered Healthcare Center at WPI would use the $2 million for sensor and communications technologies that support health care for soldiers on the battlefield.
“This is a very important step in completing the $10.5 million project,” said Dennis Berkey, WPI’s president. “I’m very proud of this project and I’m proud to know that Congress has supported us, knowing that this is important technology.”
The center’s project, known as “Real Time Troop Physiological Status Monitoring,” produces sensors and communication devices that allow health to be monitored at a distance.
For example, if a soldier is wounded on a mission, sensors on his or her body would send a wireless signal to a command post or hospital, according to W. Grant McGimpsey, a chemistry professor at WPI. This signal would allow medical professionals to monitor the soldier’s pulse, core body temperature, vital signs, blood oxygenation and position. In turn, preparations for the soldier’s healthcare could be made long before he or she is given medical care.
“We have the ability to identify a soldier’s condition and give it to doctors and first responders,” McGimpsey said.
Sens. Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.) and John Kerry (D-Mass.) were instrumental in including the school in legislation and Rep. James McGovern (D- Mass.) helped moved the bill forward in the House last May, a school spokesman said.
“This bill is a tribute to the excellent defense work done in Massachusetts and demonstrates Congress’ strong support for our efforts,” Mr. Kennedy said in a press release.
The $2 million for the school is part of $29.5 million that has been earmarked exclusively for defense medical technologies in Massachusetts. Other organizations receiving money for defense medical technologies include: the Center for Integration of Medicine and Innovative Technology, Boston ($7.5 million); Biopure, Cambridge ($4 million); Schepens Eye Research Institute, Boston ($4 million) and Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston ($12 million).
Other Massachusetts organizations expected to receive money through this bill include: Boston University ($9 million for security technology); American Superconductor, Westborough ($8 million for naval technology); General Electric ($10 million for military technology); Raytheon, Andover ($10 million for military technology) and Malden Mills, Lawrence ($14 million for military technology).
