Medical Device Being Marketed for Homeland Security Applications
11
2,007
Reported by Stew Magnuson and Breanne Wagner
A medical instrument commonly used to peer inside the human body is finding new applications in the homeland security and law enforcement worlds.
Customs and Border Protection recently purchased 78 endoscopes that were manufactured by Optim Incorporated of Sturbridge, Mass., to look inside gas tanks and other hard to reach spots where smugglers may hide contraband. CBP’s northern counterpart, Canada Border Services Agency, is also using the instruments.
The FreedomView 680 endoscope is a hand-held, portable device that combines a high intensity LED light source with a flexible, insertion shaft that can be fully immersed in water, gasoline and diesel fuel, according to the company. It can provide images inside car engines, gas tanks, jet engine turbines, piping and storage compartments like cargo holds.
The Department of Homeland Security recently endorsed the device for local law enforcement agencies that are participating in the commercial equipment direct assistance program. CEDAP grants are designed to help local first responder agencies with small budgets purchase cutting-edge equipment and training to be used in homeland security applications. DHS is distributing $33.7 million in such grants this year.