Fact Sheets

State-of-the-Art Technology and Equipment
 
Overview
Throughout its history, the Army Medical Department has continuously worked to provide programs and initiatives that improve the health of Soldiers, medical care during deployments and  on the battlefield, and the training and tools that  health care professionals  need to accomplish their mission. These efforts have resulted in a world-class health care system.
 
One example of the Army's state-of-the-art technology is the new Center for the Intrepid at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas. The Intrepid Center is a world-class physical rehabilitation facility focused on medical and rehabilitative care of wounded Soldiers and veterans injured in service. This premier facility incorporates the best technology and techniques from around the world to help Soldiers regain the use of injured limbs.
 
Structure
The four-story, 60,000-square-foot facility includes both clinical and research space, a gait lab to analyze movement, a computer assisted rehabilitation environment, pool, indoor running track, a two-story climbing wall, and a prosthetic fabrication lab.
 
Military Performance Lab
The Military Performance Lab is used to analyze human motion, with particular emphasis on amputee gait. The information collected in the military performance lab is ultimately used to help physicians, physical therapists, and prosthetists adjust their treatment plans and improve patient function.
 
Computer Assisted Rehabilitation Environment (CAREN)
The Computer Assisted Rehabilitation Environment (CAREN) is a 21-foot dome with a 300-degree screen upon which a variety of "virtual realities" may be displayed. This simulator is the first of its kind and holds much promise for the rehabilitation of the patients. The CAREN is central to the research mission of the center.
 
Gait Lab
Within the Gait Lab, therapists and doctors use more than 24 infrared cameras to track the position of reflective markers placed on a patient's body to analyze their movement as they walk. Joint angles are calculated and analyzed while force plates in the floor, parallel bars and treadmill measure ground reaction forces in three directions. Using these factors, the torque that muscles or prosthetic components are producing can be determined. In addition, electromyography (EMG) is used to assess the electrical activity that is given off during muscular contraction to detect both the timing and intensity of muscular contractions. The result of these measurements enables clinicians to provide customized treatment to the patient based on their unique physical requirements.
 
Occupational Therapy
Occupational therapy focuses on restoring health and function following injury or illness. Treatment activities are designed so that patients can successfully perform occupational tasks and activities of daily living like bathing, dressing, shopping, cooking, writing, performing household chores and other coordinated movements needed to function independently on a day-to-day basis.
 
Activities of Daily Living (ADL) Apartment
The ADL apartment provides patients with a real-world environment in which to practice everyday skills. Occupational therapists use this apartment to treat and evaluate patients to ensure that they are both physically and mentally capable of safely performing specific activities of daily living. The apartment contains:
 

• A computer workstation equipped with state-of-the-art voice recognition software, compact keyboards and a height adjustable desktop.
• A fully equipped kitchen and bathroom.
• A comfortable living room.

 
Firearms Training Simulator (FATS)
This state-of-the-art system simulates the firing of different weapons in a host of settings. Using the system, patients practice different firing techniques and may qualify with weapons systems common to the military.
 
Physical Therapy
Ongoing physical therapy is critical to helping wounded Soldiers regain their strength and range of motion. Physical therapists at the Center for the Intrepid provide evaluation, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation for patients who have sustained trauma or illness. For amputee patients, the PT team utilizes multiple interventions focusing on patients' abilities and interests. In order to accomplish "total rehabilitation," the PT team provides:
 

• Amputation awareness and residual limb care while still an inpatient.
• Wheelchair mobility and crutch training.
• Pre-prosthetic training working on dynamic balance, proprioception and endurance.
• Residual limb care, fit awareness and gait training on a variety of surfaces.
• An adaptive sports program including a multi-phased running program, swimming, snow skiing, water skiing, track and field, basketball, volleyball, fencing, archery, shooting, golf, kayaking and scuba diving.

 
Specialized Equipment
The third floor of the Center is home to a high-tech treadwall, which is a 21-foot climbing tower with auto-belay that promotes strengthening, agility and aerobic conditioning.
 
In the natatorium, there is a six-lane pool for pre-running activities, kayaking, water basketball and volleyball, and general swimming. The Flowrider ®, a unique machine that jet propels a water stream over a stretched canvas, is used to improve balance, coordination, strength, motivation and confidence by allowing patients to safely practice bodyboarding and surfing.
 
Prosthetics
The prosthetists and technicians in the Center utilize a team approach to provide state-of-the-art on-site fabrication of artificial limbs. Standard production methods are augmented by:
 

• Computer assisted technology for design, milling, and production of prosthetic devices.
• Wireless technology for remote adjustment of upper and lower extremity prostheses.
• Design and fabrication of unique specialty limbs for sports and other activities.
• High-tech materials lab to create prosthetic devices made of acrylic resins, carbon fiber composites and titanium.

 
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