Aspen Medical and NIRSense support Ukrainian defence medics. 18/02/2026 Aspen Medical has collaborated with US-based medical technology company NIRSense to support frontline trauma care for the Armed Forces of Ukraine, through the donation of advanced portable tissue oximetry monitoring systems. Twelve prototype NIRSense tissue oximetry monitoring kits have been donated to the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine for use in Role 1 and Role 2 casualty care facilities. The systems are designed to help military medical teams assess tissue perfusion and oxygenation in real time for personnel with extremity injuries, including those treated with tourniquets. In high-tempo battlefield environments, early identification of compromised blood flow can be critical. Objective data on tissue oxygenation is being used to support informed clinical decision-making, including timing of intervention, tourniquet management, and evacuation priorities. This capability goes beyond traditional vital signs and pulse oximetry, providing clinicians with tissue perfusion insight at the point of care. The NIRSense systems are compact, ruggedised and suited to austere operational settings. Developed originally to support US warfighters, the technology has been shaped through collaboration with US defence agencies, and research programs focused on physiological monitoring in extreme conditions. Aspen Medical has supported Ukraine's defence and health sectors since 2022, delivering medical training, capability uplift and equipment to strengthen combat casualty care. For this initiative, Aspen Medical coordinated engagement with Ukrainian authorities, managed logistics, translated all protocols and user guides into Ukrainian and undertook training on the devices. Aspen Medical will also oversee secure data handling to support ongoing analysis and refinement of the technology. The donation forms part of a structured evaluation approved by the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine. Insights gathered will inform future trauma care practices and contribute to greater interoperability across allied military medical systems. Ethan Bond, President of Aspen Medical USA, said the initiative reflects Aspen Medical's continued commitment to practical, outcomes-focused support. "Ukrainian military medical teams are operating under extraordinary pressure. This partnership is about delivering capability that is relevant, usable and effective in real-world combat conditions." Casey Boutwell, Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of NIRSense, said the collaboration demonstrates the value of industry and medical providers working together. "Providing forward-deployed clinicians with better physiological data supports earlier intervention and better outcomes for injured personnel." The NIRSense systems are investigational medical devices in the United States and are being used under an approved research protocol.

Aspen Medical recognised at NATO Innovation Challenge. Aspen Medical has been recognised at the 2025 NATO Innovation Challenge in London, selected as one of only 10 finalists from 175 international entries. The challenge, which focused on delivering medical care in transparent and contested battlespaces, brought together defence and technology leaders from around the world. Aspen Medical's entry, RAVIS - Remote-Actuated Vacuum Immobilisation and Warming Stretcher - was awarded a certificate for the "Excellence and relevance of [the] innovative proposition advancing medical care in a transparent and contested battlespace." RAVIS was developed to respond directly to emerging challenges in frontline casualty evacuation, particularly in drone-contested environments such as Ukraine. The system combines independently controlled vacuum zones with active warming and remote management, delivering safer, faster stabilisation for wounded personnel during extended evacuations. It is designed for compatibility with unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs), while remaining interoperable with traditional medevac workflows. President of Aspen Medical in the USA, Ethan Bond, said: "We were honoured to be shortlisted amongst some incredible technology on show in London. We are excited to connect with the NATO innovation team in Virginia and to further develop the RAVIS concept and to get it into the hands of those saving lives on the front lines in Ukraine, which is of course, the ultimate purpose of all of this." RAVIS was submitted by a multidisciplinary team including battlefield clinicians from Ukraine, academic partners from the University of Pittsburgh, and Aspen Medical's USA division. The team looks forward to discussions with NATO's Allied Command Transformation to explore next-phase trials and field deployment.

WearOptimo, a Brisbane-based health tech company, has secured $8 million in new funding from investors, including NRL star Adam MacDougall and Aspen Medical. Combined with $10 million in grant funding, the company aims to advance its AI-enhanced wearable hydration monitors from proof of concept to initial sales by the end of 2026.