By Dan Kennedy,PMO Medical Devices

FORT DETRICK, Md. — TheArmy Medical Research andMateriel Command has initiatedsteps to evaluate a new bioelec-tric bandage

Small silver and zinc dotsembedded into cloth createmicro-currents in the presenceof moisture. This may create ananti-microbial environment andprovide pain reduction.

The use of silver on burns hasa long history of preventinginfections. The combination ofsilver, zinc and moisture is pur-

ported to create pain-reducingantimicrobial micro-currents.According to literature from themanufacturer, the results of thisbandage dressing include fasterhealing, greater pain control,reduced incidence of infectionand decreased scarring.

The Food and DrugAdministration has cleared thedevice for antimicrobial woundcare, which is the primary rea-son for the Army’s genuineinterest in the product. Thebandage is currently being usedon hard-to-heal wounds, withmultiple research studies under-way. Anecdotal results are

promising, especially withregard to pain control. In somecases, wound pain is reported tobe reduced dramatically.

The nature of the cloth con-forms well to multiple sur-faces of the body. Bacterial,viral and fungal infections areanticipated to be impacted bythe antimicrobial properties ofthe bandage dressing, whichhas tremendous potential forSoldier use.

Studies are underway withRanger units. Recently, at aRanger road march, a consider-able number of Soldiersobtained blisters and were treat-

ed with the bandage.The resultswere notable, as many Soldiersreported dramatic pain reliefand the ability to quickly returnto the march.

The novel technology of thisbandage is that it purportedlycreates a healing bioelectricalpathway over the entire woundsurface, enhancing the body’snatural healing environment.As a broad-spectrum antimi-crobial flexible dressing withelectrically active currentsproviding pain control, thedevice could have huge poten-tial for the Army if testing sci-entific testing bears out anec-dotal claims.

Bio-med research offers new, improved bandage

6A the Cannoneer, February 9, 2012

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Story, photoby Marie Berberea

According to Gen. DouglasMacArthur: “Whoever said the pen ismightier than the sword obviouslynever encountered automaticweapons.”

Lawton’s Great Plains TechnologyCenter has been training Fort SillSoldiers on how to make sure thoseweapons are ready since 1995.

Formerly Great Plains Vo-Tech, thetechnology center had a contract withIII Corps that requested a modificationof contract to include unit armor.

While that maintenance doesinclude a pen and paperwork, theeight-day course teaches Soldiers armsroom operations to include organiza-tional maintenance procedures, physi-cal security measures, administrativeprocedures and military publications,forms and records.

“When they finish they’re trained toa level where they can maintain andprovide that service to that unit as theunit armorer,” said Clarence Fortney,Great Plains Technology Center deputysuperintendent

The class also goes over how to per-form routine maintenance on the M-2

machine gun, M-203, M-16, M-249, M-9, M-G SAW and the MK-19.

“What we’re going to offer is not justthe theory, but also the hands on andthat’s where we think we excel beingable to provide the knowledge but alsothe hands on that reinforces that learn-ing,”said Fortney.

“If something gets tore up and theygo down to where a Soldier doesn’thave an individually assigned weapon,then that unit is ineffective,” saidMaster Sgt. Jeramy Dearmon, 31st AirDefense Artillery. “So that guy’s focusis to make sure that entire weaponsroom is straight.”

The additional duty is not one to betaken lightly. Being able to account forthe unit’s weapons is a major responsi-bility and the technology center hiredformer service members to emphasizethat point.

“We found some individuals whowere retired military that had thatexpertise from their time in the serviceand they were looking for part-timework,” said John Noel, Adult CareerDevelopment director.

“From the standpoint of administra-tor with the school, anytime we cankeep the training local it keeps the dol-lars local and that has in effect direct

economic development to the commu-nity. It pays people locally, it keeps thatmoney local,”said Fortney.

The tech center has also ensuredSoldiers deploying have specializedknowledge that will help them be self-sustaining in the field.

“We would prepare Soldiers going toIraq particularly if they needed to serv-ice air conditioning systems on vehi-cles because you have to have trainingon reclaiming that refrigerant,” saidFortney.“You can’t just let it go into theatmosphere so we would do a shortcourse to teach the Soldiers how toproperly check and then reclaim thatfreon.”

They also teach an electrical meas-urements training class in support ofthe Air Defense Artillery WarrantOfficer Basic Course.

Noel said with the current militarybudget crunch, the classes are evenmore of an asset as the instructorscome to Fort Sill, and Soldiers do nothave to travel for training.

Fortney added there are tuition assis-tance programs through goarmy.ed foractive-duty Soldiers, as well as tuitionassistance through MyCAA, orMilitary Spouses Career AdvancementAccount program, for military spouses.

Tech center teaches armory operationspen>sword<automatic weapons

Sgt. David Letellier, 3rd Battalion, 2nd Air Defense Artillery,and Spc. Brandon Tucker, 4th Battalion, 3rd Air DefenseArtillery, work on their maintenance skills Feb. 6 during unitarmor training through Great Plains Technology Center.

A new bioelectric bandage is being exam-ined by the Army to see if it speeds up heal-ing, provides greater pain control, reducesinfection risk and decreases scarring.