Nanotechnology Applications for Combat Casualty Care

This state-of-the-art report focuses on advances in combat casualty care (CCC) treatments, tools, and techniques enabled by the application of nanotechnology. Recent research and development at the nanoscale have yielded innovations in hemorrhage control and fluid resuscitation, wound management and infection, bone regeneration and engineering, neurotrauma and pain control, and advanced medical monitoring and diagnostics. For each of these areas, we review current trends in applied and translational research, commercially available products (including those funded by the U.S. Department of Defense [DoD]), existing research gaps, and technical- and policy-related implementation challenges. Overall, we detail the ways in which nanotechnology is generating significant improvements to DoD’s CCC capabilities and helping the military’s medical mission anticipate and prepare for the future battlefield while continuing to improve casualty outcomes.