Diagnostics
The dual-use potential of military medical innovation
The military environment has long served as an accelerator for healthcare innovation, particularly in areas requiring rapid diagnosis. Mark Gostock provides an insight into the latest military-to-civilian technology, which could accurately rule out sepsis cases. It is hoped that this new diagnostic tool could help to reduce unnecessary hospital stays.
Many hospitals in the UK are struggling to make space for patients in need of urgent medical care. Coupled with an increasing and ageing UK population, the issue of hospital overcrowding and lack of resources is only set to worsen. Underscored by the looming threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) as well as budget constraints and workforce shortages, the NHS is at a crucial point where innovation is needed to ensure the safety of the future of healthcare in the UK. Traditional pathways for medical innovation, while valuable, may not adequately address the pace and scale of current healthcare challenges. Leveraging dual-use technologies from defence research is an emerging approach to MedTech development that presents new opportunities for addressing critical challenges in acute care delivery.
A catalyst for healthcare innovation The military environment has long served as an accelerator for healthcare innovation, particularly in areas requiring rapid diagnosis
and intervention such as trauma care and emergency response. This unique environment demands solutions that are not only highly accurate but also able to be rapidly deployed under extreme, resource-constrained conditions – characteristics increasingly valuable in modern healthcare settings. For example, the EpiPen has its roots in military
technology. In the 1970s, engineer Sheldon Kaplan developed an auto-injector called the CombiPen for US soldiers to self-administer nerve agent antidotes. Recognising its potential for civilian use, Kaplan adapted the technology to deliver epinephrine, a hormone crucial for treating anaphylaxis. In 1987, the US Food and Drug Administration approved the EpiPen, revolutionising emergency allergy treatment. The concealed needle design and ease of use made it accessible to millions worldwide. Likewise, the Global Positioning System (GPS)
emerged from Cold War-era military innovation, designed to provide accurate, real-time positioning for military operations worldwide. GPS was eventually made available for civilian
use, and has since become integral to daily life, powering everything from smartphone apps to vehicle navigation systems. Other innovations with military origins
include haemostatic dressings that rapidly control severe bleeding and damage-control resuscitation protocols that have transformed emergency medicine. These technologies, developed initially for battlefield medicine, align with critical clinical priorities: rapid diagnostics, point-of-care testing, and early intervention protocols. This ‘dual use’ approach to medical innovation offers promising solutions for enhancing both patient care and operational efficiency in acute care settings. The UK Ministry of Defence continues this
tradition of innovation through significant investment in medical research and development – approximately £2.05 billion annually.1
While not all military technology is
applicable to general healthcare systems, the ability to recognise the dual uses for technologies has the potential to transform the way in which the NHS innovates and responds to rising pressures.
Transferring technology from battlefield to bedside The translation of military medical innovations to civilian healthcare requires navigation of three critical areas: clinical validation, regulatory compliance, and workflow integration. Each presents unique challenges in the acute care setting.
Military medical technologies require
extensive civilian trials across diverse patient populations and healthcare settings, far beyond their original defence purposes. Studies must demonstrate not only clinical efficacy but also real-world effectiveness, with robust evidence of improved patient outcomes compared to current standard of care. Medical innovations in the UK must also
navigate a complex regulatory landscape including MHRA approval, CE marking, and
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