Page 39 - COM Outlook - Spring 2013
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COM Outlook . Spring 2013
NSU-COM Training Leads to Invention
of Scrotal Rehabilitation Device
Since starting my urology residency
at San Antonio Military Medical
Center (SAMMC—formerly known
as Brooke Army Medical Center)
in Texas, I’ve been shocked by the
number of wounded soldiers return-
ing from Afghanistan with genitouri-
nary trauma caused by improvised
explosive devices. Many of the sol-
diers arrive at SAMMC from over-
seas with single or double lower-extremity amputations
and open abdominal/groin wounds. In addition to treating
renal, ureteral, and vesicular trauma, my urology service
is kept very busy caring for the scrotal and penile wounds
that so often affect our soldiers. In fact, it is not uncommon
for a wounded soldier to arrive at SAMMC with a scrotum
swollen roughly to the size of a melon.
These wounded soldiers are often 18 to 21 years old,
some married just before their deployment, and their fertil-
ity and sexual func-
tion are central to
their recovery and
morale. In caring for
these patients, I was
challenged by the
lack of technology
available for scrotal
wound care because progress in this domain stopped long
ago at the bag of frozen peas. In 2012, I started to brain-
storm about inventing a new device to improve scrotal
wound care. In my
free time
outside an 80-plus-hour work
week, I began to read the existing medical literature on this
topic and learn about the medical-device industry, intellec-
tual property, and medical-trial design.
A year later, I now have a pending patent in over 100
countries for the AeroLift® device and have formed a part-
nership with the University of Texas San Antonio to build
my first prototypes. My orthopedic colleagues at SAMMC
refer to the device as a “scrotal orthotic,” and I think the
term is very descriptive. The AeroLift® device elevates,
cools, and dries the injured swollen scrotum. I’m seeking
investor support to continue developing this device and
possess great hope that within two years, I will have a fin-
ished product to be able to offer our wounded soldiers who
deserve much more than a towel and an ice bag to treat
their genitourinary injuries.
I went to an osteopathic medical school because I
wanted to balance the science and the art of medicine. I
also wanted to keep my creativity alive in my surgical
practice, and I felt that NSU-COM would nurture that
goal. Clearly, I chose wisely when I selected NSU-COM
for my medical education. Every time I sit down to work
on this project, I am using science, creativity, my medical
education, my sense of caring for the whole patient, and
the strong work ethic that was fostered at NSU-COM.
Taking this device from a sketch on a napkin to a patent-
ed prototype has allowed me to meld my creative entre-
preneurial talents into a grueling military surgical train-
ing program. The greatest measure of success I believe is
whether or not I can do all of the above while maintaining
confidence as a caring husband and a father to two beau-
tiful children. It is very much an osteopathic principle to
balance all of these commitments, and I feel lucky to have
had such strong training in this area.
If you have questions about the device or are interested
in funding the next phase of development, please contact
Dr. Stringer at
By Matt Stringer, D.O., class of 2010 alumnus, United States Air Force
Alumni Viewpoint
New device offers comfort to soldiers suffering from genitourinary trauma
Dr. Stringer, circa 2006.
Featured is the pillow-soft cap hovering to reveal the cool pack that
delivers cold therapy to the tender scrotum. The aeration tubes in the base
of the device allow cool air to circulate under and around the scrotum.
