SurgiBox, a startup supported by MIT D-Lab, has created a portable surgical kit designed to establish sterile operating environments in low-resource settings. This innovative system, which fits in a backpack and can be quickly set up, was successfully tested during a humanitarian mission to Ukraine. It includes a bubble with armholes, an airflow control and filtration module, and a battery, enabling safe surgeries where traditional sterile rooms are unavailable. The motivation behind SurgiBox originated in 2009, when founder Debbie Teodorescu envisioned a solution for the challenges of conducting safe surgeries in resource-limited areas, drawing inspiration from glove boxes used in laboratories.
SurgiBox has made multiple donations to Ukraine, where their portable systems have been used effectively in various medical procedures, including childbirth and emergency surgeries. The startup is increasing production and preparing for European Union medical device certification, focusing on expanding access to safe surgical care. The team believes SurgiBox could reduce healthcare costs, providing flexibility and allowing surgeries to occur at patient bedsides or even in ambulances, offering a promising alternative to conventional operating room setups.
