Aspen Medical and NIRSense support Ukrainian defence medics

Aspen Medical has collaborated with US-based medical technology company NIRSense to support frontline trauma care for the Armed Forces of Ukraine, through the donation of advanced portable tissue oximetry monitoring systems. Twelve prototype NIRSense tissue oximetry monitoring kits have been donated to the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine for use in Role 1 and Role 2 casualty care facilities. The systems are designed to help military medical teams assess tissue perfusion and oxygenation in real time for personnel with extremity injuries, including those treated with tourniquets. In high-tempo battlefield environments, early identification of compromised blood flow can be critical. Objective data on tissue oxygenation is being used to support informed clinical decision-making, including timing of intervention, tourniquet management, and evacuation priorities. This capability goes beyond traditional vital signs and pulse oximetry, providing clinicians with tissue perfusion insight at the point of care. The NIRSense systems are compact, ruggedised and suited to austere operational settings. Developed originally to support US warfighters, the technology has been shaped through collaboration with US defence agencies, and research programs focused on physiological monitoring in extreme conditions. Aspen Medical has supported Ukraine’s defence and health sectors since 2022, delivering medical training, capability uplift and equipment to strengthen combat casualty care. For this initiative, Aspen Medical coordinated engagement with Ukrainian authorities, managed logistics, translated all protocols and user guides into Ukrainian and undertook training on the devices. Aspen Medical will also oversee secure data handling to support ongoing analysis and refinement of the technology. The donation forms part of a structured evaluation approved by the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine. Insights gathered will inform future trauma care practices and contribute to greater interoperability across allied military medical systems. Ethan Bond, President of Aspen Medical USA, said the initiative reflects Aspen Medical’s continued commitment to practical, outcomes-focused support. “Ukrainian military medical teams are operating under extraordinary pressure. This partnership is about delivering capability that is relevant, usable and effective in real-world combat conditions.” Casey Boutwell, Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of NIRSense, said the collaboration demonstrates the value of industry and medical providers working together. “Providing forward-deployed clinicians with better physiological data supports earlier intervention and better outcomes for injured personnel.” The NIRSense systems are investigational medical devices in the United States and are being used under an approved research protocol. For Editorial Inquiries Contact: Editor Kym Bergmann at [email protected] For Advertising Inquiries Contact: Group Sales Director Simon Hadfield at [email protected]