The U.S. Army Medical Materiel Agency (USAMMA) has selected and begun fielding a new Medical Vital Signs Simulator (MVSS) for testing, calibrating and repairing medical equipment such as vital signs monitors and pulse oximeters. The MVSS performs the functions of three instruments, providing a lighter load of gear for biomedical equipment specialists in the field.

The MVSS is a commercially made device that is cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

"The MVSS is another great example of how Army Medicine works with industry to select, procure, and modify the best medical technology and products to meet the needs of our Warfighters," said Tyler Bennett, Ph.D., Deputy to the Commander for Acquisition, USAMMA.

Feedback from the battlefield was an essential part of the decision to go with the new, multi-purpose device, according to USAMMA equipment specialist Dennis Rumple. Biomedical equipment specialists described issues with their gear being too bulky and heavy for some helicopter transports. The MVSS fits into a small carry-on bag and weighs less than 5 lbs., compared to the previous devices that weighed a combined total of more than 20 lbs.

The MVSS (LIN M05038) will eventually phase out the Analyzer Noninvasive Blood Pressure (LIN A27104); the Simulator Medical Functions (LIN S56720); and the Simulator Pulse Oximetry (LIN S57953).

"Maintaining the status quo vital signs simulator for the testing, calibration, and repair of medical equipment was not recommended because two of the existing three devices were non-procurable at this stage as the company is no longer manufacturing these items," said Rumple.

Rumple said another reason why biomedical equipment specialists needed the new gear was to be able to adequately test, calibrate and repair more advanced medical equipment.

"We had to think about future capability needs," explained Rumple. "As our medical equipment is getting more technologically sophisticated, we need more advanced testing and calibration equipment to ensure everything is working properly."

USAMMA's fielding depots will test and certify each MVSS on an annual basis.

USAMMA is a subordinate agency of the U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command, which is the Army's main medical materiel developer. USAMMA's mission is to develop, tailor, deliver, and sustain medical materiel capabilities and data in order to build and enable health readiness.