Flexible Digit Clamp With Cushioned Support for Bleeding Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tourniquet devices that constrict the entire diameter of a digit to control bleeding often cause discomfort and risk additional trauma, and they require multiple devices for varying pressure applications, making it difficult to manage bleeding and assess underlying injuries accurately.
Innovation Solution
A flexible clamping device with adjustable pressure points that targets arteries and veins, featuring a first part with a locking mechanism and a cushioned second part to support the digit, allowing for controlled bleeding cessation and minimal tissue damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a ring-like tourniquet constricts the entire diameter of the digit, then blood flow is controlled effectively, but discomfort increases and additional trauma risk occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The tourniquet is divided into multiple independent flexible blades instead of a single ring structure. Each blade can be positioned independently to target specific vascular structures, allowing effective blood flow control while distributing pressure to minimize discomfort and trauma to surrounding tissues
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible blades are designed to apply pressure locally at specific points along the digit rather than uniformly across the entire circumference. This allows targeted constriction of arteries and veins while leaving other areas uncompressed, reducing overall discomfort and preventing additional trauma
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple tourniquet devices are used for varying pressure applications, then bleeding control precision improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tourniquet device incorporates multiple flexible blades with adjustable positioning mechanisms that can provide varying degrees of pressure application. This multi-functional design allows a single device to replace multiple tourniquets, enabling precise bleeding control through different pressure levels and configurations without increasing the number of separate devices needed
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible blades can be dynamically adjusted during application to achieve optimal pressure distribution. The blades can be positioned at different depths and angles, and their constriction force can be modified independently, providing precise bleeding control through dynamic adjustment rather than requiring multiple fixed-pressure devices
Data Source
AI summary
A clamping device includes a flexible first part that has a first side wall and a second side wall that is spaced opposite from and is joined to the first side wall. The first side wall and the second side wall are flexible and being configured to move toward one another. The first part includes a locking bar coupled to the first side wall and the second side wall includes a locking protrusion that is configured to engage and lock with the locking bar to close off and lock the first part. The first part has an open unlocked position, in which the locking bar is disengaged with the locking protrusion, for receiving a traumatized digit. The device includes a cushioned second part that lines an inner face of the first part. The cushioned second part includes rounded inner portions configured to support a digit when the device is in a closed locked position for capturing the traumatized digit between the cushioned second part.