Junctional Hemorrhage Control Harness with Ratchet Compression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current tourniquet technologies require additional time and effort to apply pressure to junctional areas for hemorrhage control, as they are not pre-integrated with the user's attire, potentially delaying blood flow cessation in emergency situations.
Innovation Solution
A hemorrhage control device comprising a harness worn around upper and lower junctional areas with a reversibly coupled compression device featuring a compression puck and ratchet mechanism, allowing for simultaneous compressive and constrictive pressure application to major arteries and veins, reducing the time needed to control bleeding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If a traditional tourniquet is used to control bleeding, then pressure can be applied to the injury site, but additional time and effort are required to manually position and apply the tourniquet, delaying blood flow cessation
Solution Approach 1:
The compression device is pre-integrated into the user's attire (vest, jacket, or pants) with the compression puck positioned at the appropriate anatomical location. The harness is pre-configured with attachment points and the compression device is pre-assembled, so that when hemorrhage occurs, the user simply needs to activate the pre-positioned mechanism rather than assembling and positioning components during the emergency.
2Loss of time
If a compression device is pre-integrated into the user's attire, then the time to apply pressure is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The harness serves multiple functions: it provides structural support for the compression device, acts as the constriction element around the junctional area, and provides attachment points for the compression device. The compression device itself is designed to be reversible and removable, allowing it to serve both as an integrated component and a standalone unit that can be transferred between different attire configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The compression device is divided into distinct modular components: the compression puck, the harness with attachment mechanisms, and the ratchet mechanism. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and enables flexible assembly and disassembly, reducing the overall complexity while maintaining the pre-integrated benefits.
3Reliability
If the compression device applies both compressive and constrictive pressure simultaneously, then hemorrhage control effectiveness is improved, but the force required to operate the device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ratchet mechanism allows the handle to be rotated in one direction to tighten the harness and apply constrictive pressure, while automatically preventing rotation in the opposite direction. This dynamic mechanical advantage system converts rotational motion into linear constriction force, and the progressive tightening allows the user to build up the required force gradually rather than applying maximum force immediately.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The device enables rapid and effective occlusion of blood flow by pre-integrating the compression mechanism into the user's attire, reducing the time to apply pressure and maintain it, thus efficiently controlling hemorrhage.
Implementation Method 1
The compression device can also include a ratchet mechanism that can enable the handle to rotate in substantially only one direction
Implementation Method 2
The compression device can include a compression puck configured to apply a pressure to at least a portion of an upper junctional area or at least a portion of a lower junctional area
Implementation Method 3
The handle is configured to constrict the harness with a windlass mechanism
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure discusses systems and methods for controlling a hemorrhage. The hemorrhage control device can include a harness that is worn around an upper junctional area and a lower junctional area of a user. The hemorrhage control device can also include a compression device that is configured to reversibly couple with the harness. The compression device can include a compression puck and a handle. The handle can be coupled with the harness. When rotated the handle can constrict the harness around the upper junctional area or the lower junctional area. The constriction of the harness can also cause the compression puck to compress the upper junctional area or the lower junctional area.