NeuroLogica Corp., a subsidiary of Samsung Electronics, has announced the first installation of its SmartMSU with OmniTom Elite – a specialised ambulance that is equipped with a small computed tomography (CT) scanner for head imaging – in the Asia-Pacific region. It was installed in Thailand at the Siriraj Stroke Center, Siriraj Hospital in Bangkok, Thailand under the Mobile Stroke Unit-Stroke One Stop (MSU-SOS) project.

According to the World Stroke Organization, 1 in 4 people will have a stroke in their lifetime. To aid in the early detection of strokes, the mobile stroke unit with diagnostic CT imaging capabilities allows emergency medical technicians (EMTs) on board to quickly assess whether a patient is having a stroke caused by a blood clot or hemorrhage. If it’s determined to be caused by a blood clot, the clot-buster tPA (tissue plasminogen activator) can be administered immediately.

Assoc. Prof. Yongchai Nilanont, M.D., Director of Siriraj Stroke Center, Siriraj Hospital, stating the importance of the Mobile Stroke Unit, MSU-SOS 2023 innovation, said “Treatment of cerebrovascular disease is a race against time, as it kills a large number of people worldwide and can cause paralysis in others. The main factor for reducing disability and death is a treatment 'time standard' within 270 minutes. If symptoms are reported and diagnosed earlier, the chances of recovery or survival increase. That is why the Mobile Stroke Unit, MSU-SOS 2023, is a powerful tool for medical personnel. The previous MSU has treated 1,070 patients and has saved many lives.”