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Siriraj Stroke Center, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital & Faculty of Engineering, Mahidol university with Siemens Healthineers and RMA Automotive
Unveil MSU-8 Mobile Stroke Unit with Latest Teleconsultation and Cutting-Edge CT Brain Imaging to Reduce Disability and Mortality Rates
Speaker
Associate Professor Yongchai Nilanont, President of Siriraj Stroke Center, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University
Background on Acute Stroke and Its Significance
- Stroke remains a leading cause of death and disability in Thailand and the Asia-Pacific region. In 2023, Thailand recorded 349,126 stroke cases, with a 10% mortality rate and 60% disability rate. (Ref: Public Health Statistics Report 2023, Ministry of Public Health, Thailand)
- Timely diagnosis and treatment within the golden window of 4 hours and 30 minutes are key factors in reducing paralysis, disability, and death from stroke. In 2018, the Siriraj Stroke Center at the Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital implemented the Mobile Stroke Unit, Stroke One Stop (MSU-SOS) project, developing a mobile stroke treatment vehicle integrated with a teleconsultation system for acute stroke management. This innovation enables patients to access timely diagnosis and treatment while reducing disability rates and mortality.
- The mobile stroke unit consists of an ambulance equipped with teleconsultation capabilities, a mobile brain CT scanner, and a medical response team. The unit can perform head scans during patienttransport, allowing hospital-based medical teams to make immediate treatment decisions and administer thrombolytic therapy. Additionally, the unit can perform contrast imaging on board to assess cerebral vasculature, ensuring patients are ready for immediate intervention upon hospital arrival.
Development of Siriraj Stroke Center, Mobile Stroke Unit Initiatives
- To ensure timely access to stroke treatment, the Siriraj Stroke Center, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, in collaboration with Faculty of Engineering, Mahidol University and various network partners from both the public and private sectors, launched the Mobile Stroke Unit, Stroke One Stop (MSUS-SOS) project in 2018.
- Mobile Stroke Unit integrates a mobile ambulance equipped with a dedicated Brain CT scanner along with a medical team specialized in acute stroke care which enable to perform head scans at a designated location for timely diagnosis. Integrated into the teleconsultation system allows hospital-based specialists to make immediate decisions on thrombolytic therapy. Additionally, contrast media can be administered onboard for vascular assessment, ensuring accurate preliminary diagnosis and treatment. This innovation significantly reduces disability and mortality rates associated with acute strokes.
Teleconsultation System and Vehicle Stability Enhancements
- The development of a stable teleconsultation system and an efficient, high-capacity ambulance represents a significant challenge and is crucial in developing the Mobile Stroke Unit (MSU). This is essential for data connectivity and maximizing medical operational efficiency.
- Elevating the standard of acute stroke care on the Mobile Stroke Unit (MSU) to achieve optimal quality and efficiency is paramount. This enhancement enables the MSU operational team and hospital medical staff to seamlessly and rapidly transmit patient information, diagnostic results, and pre-hospital treatment assessments.
Speaker
Associate Professor Yongchai Nilanont, President of Siriraj Stroke Center, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University
Launch of MSU-8: A Collaborative Milestone
- The Siriraj Stroke Center recognizes that acute stroke diagnosis and treatment on Mobile Stroke Units (MSU) can achieve higher efficiency and reduce patient disability and mortality rates through rapid workflow management systems, high-quality and precise medical imaging technology, stable vehicles, and reliable teleconsultation systems.
- The Siriraj Stroke Center, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, and Faculty of Engineering, Mahidol University have collaborated with Siemens Healthineers, a leader in medical imaging technology, and RMA Automotive Co., Ltd., a regional expert in mobile stroke unit manufacturing, to research and develop the “MSU-8” Mobile Stroke Unit. This project builds upon continuous research efforts and aims to
- Elevate acute stroke diagnosis and treatment standards for patients in Thailand
- Achieving “A Life without Stroke”
- Serve as a development model for other hospitals’ Mobile Stroke Units across the Asia-Pacific region
Speaker
Mr. Chris Poray, Managing Director, Siemens Healthineers Thailand.
Driving Innovation in Pre-Hospital Stroke Care
- Siemens Healthineers, a global leader in medical technology with over 120 years of expertise in medical imaging technology development for hospitals and medical centers worldwide, has recognized the critical urgency of acute stroke management. The company has collaborated with the Siriraj Stroke Center, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Faculty of Engineering at Mahidol University, and RMA Automotive to research and develop the latest Mobile Stroke Unit (MSU-8). The MSU-8 features a specialized CT scanner designed specifically for mobile stroke units, incorporating advanced technology that delivers high-quality and precise imaging equivalent to hospital diagnostic standards. Through connecting the CT scanner with the MSU-8 network, it enables real-time information sharing and guideline-based workflows to optimize patient care. This technology serves as a key component in enhancing the success rate of diagnosis and treatment for acute stroke patients.
Features of SOMATOM On.site CT Scanner
- This research and development collaboration for the Mobile Stroke Unit (MSU) incorporates the SOMATOM On.site, our mobile CT scanner with advanced technology that delivers high quality and enables reliable brain CT imaging installed in the latest MSU-8 for acute stroke diagnosis and treatment. SOMATOM On.site mobile CT scanner, which ensures high-resolution non-contrast and contrast-enhanced CT imaging comparable to hospital-based systems. Designed for use in acute mobile settings, it empowers emergency teams with precise diagnostic capabilities. Key features include:
- SOMATOM On.site, 32-slice CT scanner capable of rapid head scanning in the mobile stroke unit, providing high-quality, sharp, and precise brain CT images, standard equivalent to hospital-based CT scanners for accurate diagnosis and targeted treatment.
- AI-Powered Interface: Simplifies operational workflow, enable operators to use the machine with confidence and reduce errors with GO Technology. Automated Image Processing: Features like Recon&GO provide automated 3D imaging and parameter adjustments for faster decision-making includes an automatic transfer the images to the PACS. This streamlines workflows and ensures images are ready for immediate diagnosis.
- Radiation Safety: A telescopic gantry design minimizes scatter radiation for both patients and nearby personnel, ensuring safety in pre-hospital environments. Furthermore, additional radiation shields at the front and back gantry opening help to contain scatter radiation within the bore and reduce scatter dose outside of the system.
Expanding Access to care across the Region
- The collaboration aims to develop CT scanners dedicated for use in mobile stroke units-an innovative solution addressing the urgent need for timely diagnosis and treatment of acute stroke patients. This collaboration provides an excellent opportunity for experts from both organizations to share knowledge and skills. The Siriraj Stroke Center offers valuable insights into practical applications and clinical requirements, while Siemens Healthineers brings advanced technology and innovation to optimize CT scanners for this purpose. This collaboration not only enhances the efficiency of stroke treatment but also drives significant advancements pre-hospital care of acute stroke management in Thailand and worldwide. It aligns with our mission to overcoming the most threatened disease and pioneering breakthroughs in healthcare. For everyone. Everywhere. Sustainably.
Speaker
Mr. Stanley Chan Wai Zhong, General Manager, Group Product Development, RMA Automotive
Expertise in Vehicle Manufacturing
RMA Automotive is a global leader in the automotive industry, specializing in fleet management, automotive manufacturing, and engineering consulting. With over 30 years of experience, RMA has earned a reputation as a trusted partner for automotive brands, equipment suppliers, and agencies. The company is also a renowned designer and manufacturer of ambulances, supporting various government and non-governmental organizations worldwide. RMA operates automotive manufacturing & modification plants in Thailand, Turkey, Dubai, South Africa and Australia, as well as vehicle assembly (re-manufacturing) in Myanmar, Cambodia and Australia.
Global Fleet Sales (GFS) provides fleet vehicles, heavy equipment, and agricultural vehicles to sectors such as aid & development, defense, and government, with options for base or modified vehicles and full logistics, aftersales support, and parts supply.
Ford Global Fleet Sales (FGFS), is Ford’s direct sales partner and provides comprehensive fleet solutions across 100+ markets, leveraging Ford’s full product lineup to serve private companies and humanitarian organizations worldwide.
Design Innovations for MSU-8 Model
The MSU-8 mobile stroke unit was developed through a collaboration between RMA Automotive, Mahidol University’s Faculty of Engineering, and Siriraj Hospital’s Faculty of Medicine. This partnership focused on designing a vehicle capable of supporting a heavy CT scanner, ensuring the structure and attachment points could withstand the weight and stresses involved. To achieve this, RMA used advanced engineering analysis, including Computer-Aided Engineering (CAE) and Finite Element Analysis (FEA), to simulate the forces acting on the vehicle under compression standards (FMVSS 220).
The design also adheres to international safety standards, including the BS EN 1789 standard for emergency medical vehicles, as well as local regulations from Thailand’s Emergency Medical Institute (EMS) and the Excise Department’s 2018 Royal Gazette announcement. The result is a high-performance mobile stroke unit that meets the rigorous requirements for patient care in emergency situations.
Through this project, RMA Automotive has further advanced its engineering capabilities and automotive technology, positioning itself as a leader in mobile medical solutions in Thailand and beyond.