Every second counts in critical moments when someone stops breathing. Yet, the lifesaving tools available in places like football fields, restaurants and even military battlefields are often rudimentary.
Local 12 News reported that this could soon change, thanks to a groundbreaking innovation from researchers and clinicians at the University of Cincinnati.
The urgency of RVS's mission becomes clear when you consider the stakes.
In 2023, during the first quarter of the Jan. 2 football game in Cincinnati, Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin, a 24 year old, tackled Bengals receiver Tee Higgins, taking him to the ground. Hamlin stood up after the tackle and took two steps but then collapsed to the turf and immediately went into cardiac arrest. McMullan was on the field and began administering CPR using a bag valve mask. Hamlin's heartbeat was revived on the field and he was immediately taken to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center.
The delicate nature of human lungs adds to the complexity of dealing with them. Delivering too much air can result in air entering the stomach instead of the lungs, or worse, it could cause a lung to rupture - a potentially fatal outcome, as the lungs are a delicate, complicated living tissue.
Beyond civilian use, RVS's potential has drawn interest from the U.S. military, particularly the Air Force, given the University of Cincinnati's longstanding connections in trauma research.
"You can imagine how the military isn't going to carry a transport ventilator onto the battlefield," Benoit remarks. The Spiritus device's portability and efficiency make it an attractive option for military medics.
Additionally, RVS is in discussions with the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), a federal agency under the Department of Health and Human Services focused on disaster preparedness and response. The device's potential to save lives in emergency situations, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, whether in civilian or military contexts, has garnered significant attention.
As RVS continues to refine its device and prepares for the final push to market, its vision is clear: to make advanced resuscitation tools as standard as fire extinguishers or first-aid kits. Whether in schools, sporting events or everyday settings, the availability of a simple, effective and affordable device like Spiritus could be the difference between life and death.
For now, the RVS team is focused on ensuring that its device meets the rigorous standards required for FDA approval and securing the support needed to bring the innovation to the world. If successful, RVS's technology could revolutionize emergency care, offering a lifeline to millions when they need it most.
Featured image at top: Justin Benoit, Liz Bonis and Jason McMullan. Photo/Diana Lara
