Lumine Trauma Foundation

Our Plan

The Lumine Trauma Foundation aims to equip Ukrainian surgeons with Fluorescence Guided Debridement (FGD) technology, a portable, USB-powered device that enhances precision in debridement surgeries. These surgeries are vital for preventing infection and amputation in up to 75% of injured civilians and soldiers in Ukraine with extremity fractures. By supporting the deployment of FGD devices to Ukraine’s front lines, donors will help improve patient outcomes by enabling surgeons to more effectively identify and remove dead tissue, reducing risks of infection, non-union, and amputation. The Foundation's plan includes:

01 Deployment

Building and sending portable, rugged, battery-powered imaging systems to partner hospitals in Dnipro and Kharkiv following FDA 510(k) clearance.

02 Training

Virtual training sessions on using FGD and interacting with the user interface for surgeon-driven design changes.

03 Collaboration

Working with surgeons in Eastern Ukraine, the Ukrainian State Health Department, and local IRB.

04 Follow-Up

Patients are imaged before and after debridement, tracking outcomes like infection and amputation rates.

05 Report Findings

Publishing data in academic journals and sharing progress with contributors.

06 Feedback

Ukrainian surgeons provide feedback as a collaborative team to improve and adjust the technology.

Dnipro Hospital - Main site for first deployment

Kharkiv Regional Hospital - Secondary site

Kyiv - Training hub

The Tech

Fluorescence Guided Debridement

Fluorescence Guided Debridement (FGD) is a surgical method that uses a special dye, given through an IV, to help surgeons see better during debridement. A light shines on the surgical area, showing how the dye moves through bone and tissue, helping surgeons spot and remove dead tissue more accurately. This can lower the chance of infection and improve healing for patients.

Our technology, developed at Dartmouth through academic and small business funding, is designed specifically for the front lines of Ukraine. It is appropriately designed technology for this critical use case.

Portable Design

Rugged, battery-powered device that can be powered by USB for use in challenging environments.

Imaging System

Indicates the risk of bone and tissue infection, guiding surgeons during debridement.

User Interface

Surgeon-friendly interface for real-time feedback and design improvements.

Patient Study Results

Our algorithm takes fluorescence video and converts it to an actionable debridement plan. Move the slider below to view.

FGD has the potential to decrease infection by up to 50% in certain patients undergoing debridement. In a clinical trial of 110 patients (NCT04403204), a large amount of retained low-perfusion tissue was associated with a 29% recurrence rate after 6 months compared with 12% when a small amount was retained. Information obtained with this device will be used by the surgeon to make better informed debridement decisions, to optimize the amount of debrided tissue.

Our Team

Our team comprises experts from diverse fields united by a shared mission to support orthopaedic trauma patients and surgeons in Ukraine through cutting-edge fluorescence-guided debridement technology.

Jonathan Thomas Elliott

President / Chairman

Scientist and Inventor. Assistant Professor of Orthopaedics. Directs NIH and DOD projects, focusing on intraoperative imaging and photodynamic therapy.

Katherine Mirica

Secretary

Associate Professor of Chemistry. Directs a federally funded research lab, focusing on environmental science and microelectronics.

Christina Martin

Treasurer

Nurse Practitioner in Infectious Disease. Experience in Global Medicine with MSF.

Victoria Somoff

Vice President

Associate Professor in Slavic and Eastern European Studies. Teaches Ukrainian Language and Literature.

Advisory Board

The advisory board consists of American and Ukranian surgeons, practitioners, researchers, and members of the communities we serve, who are retained for advice and guidance in all aspects of the project.

Make a Donation Today

Join us in our efforts to reduce infection and improve patient wellbeing. Your support will directly fund cutting-edge research and device deployment in Ukraine.

Donate via Venmo

Mail a Check:

Lumine Trauma Foundation
PO Box 265
Meriden, NH 03770

Join our mailing list for updates on our progress by contacting us at [email protected].

Lumine Trauma Foundation is a registered 501(c)(3) charitable organization (33-1880615)

Support Ukraine's Orthopaedic Trauma Surgeons