Project Invincible by McLaren Applied Technologies is a fully wearable composite shield designed to protect bodies after surgery. Via McLaren:
Introducing Project Invincible, the latest innovative personalised healthcare solution made from materials that will be used in next season’s Formula 1 car.
McLaren Applied Technologies, the advanced technology, innovation, and design company has revealed the latest addition to its portfolio of personalised healthcare solutions.The Invincible shield is in response to a challenge from a single client to design a device to help protect vital organs after surgery.
The fully wearable composite shield does the job of the rib cage – protecting vital organs including the heart and the lungs, with the garment providing further protection from unexpected low energy impact.
The multi-material shield features high-failure strain Dyneema fibres (as used in body armour) for damage containment, and a highly-toughened resin system with woven fabrics for impact resistance. The shield borrows F1 technology including Zylon fibres, used by all F1 teams on their cars for protection against side penetration. If that wasn’t enough, stiff carbon fibres ensure flexural rigidity and load carrying capability.
McLaren’s Chief Medical Officer Dr Adam Hill said: “From digital therapeutics, to tailored human performance programmes and bespoke medical devices, our aim is to innovate health care solutions that can be tailored for individual patients.
“The common thread in all of our projects is data. We use data to build a digital picture of how a patient is performing or recovering, and then create solutions, or in the case of the Project Invincible, devices, to aid our users.”
Not quite at the level of space marines yet, but nearly there!