Non-pneumatic Tourniquet with Segmented Elastic Holes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing non-pneumatic digital tourniquets face challenges in effectively accommodating a wide range of digit sizes, as they often require manual adjustment and may not provide consistent compression, making it difficult to achieve a bloodless environment in surgical procedures.
Innovation Solution
A non-pneumatic tourniquet apparatus featuring a flexible membrane with multiple openings of varying sizes and shapes, and a resiliently elastic tourniquet body with handle sections, allowing for adjustable compression to accommodate different digit sizes and restrict blood flow effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single-size elastic disc tourniquet is used, then the device is simple and low cost, but it cannot effectively accommodate a wide range of digit sizes
Solution Approach 1:
The tourniquet is divided into multiple size categories (e.g., extra small, small, medium, large, extra large) with distinct hole configurations. Each size category contains multiple holes of different diameters, allowing selection based on digit size. This segmentation enables universal application across different digit sizes while maintaining simple individual design for each size category.
Solution Approach 2:
The tourniquet design provides universal applicability by incorporating multiple hole sizes within a single device, allowing one tourniquet to accommodate multiple digit sizes. The multiple holes serve different functions for different digit dimensions, achieving multi-functionality without requiring multiple separate devices.
2Reliability
If manual tightening is used, then the tourniquet is simple and low cost, but it may not provide consistent compression
Solution Approach 1:
The tourniquet employs an elastic material that dynamically adjusts to the digit size and shape. The elastic properties allow the tourniquet to automatically conform to the digit while maintaining consistent compression force. The dynamic stretching and contracting of the elastic material ensures reliable compression without complex adjustment mechanisms.
3Stress or pressure
If the tourniquet uses larger surface area on larger digits, then pressure is dissipated, but it becomes difficult to effectively cover a wide range of digit sizes
Solution Approach 1:
The tourniquet is segmented into multiple size categories, each optimized for specific digit dimensions. Smaller digits receive tourniquets with smaller hole diameters and concentrated compression area, while larger digits receive tourniquets with larger holes and distributed compression area. This segmentation maintains appropriate pressure distribution for each digit size while enabling universal application.
Solution Approach 2:
The tourniquet design applies local quality by tailoring the hole size and compression characteristics to match specific digit dimensions. Each size category has locally optimized parameters (hole diameter, elastic tension) that provide appropriate pressure distribution for that specific digit size, while the overall device structure remains simple and cost-effective.
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 solution provides a universally applicable, easy-to-use, and cost-effective means to achieve a bloodless surgical field by accommodating various digit sizes with adjustable compression, ensuring effective exsanguination and occlusion of blood flow.
Implementation Method 1
a tourniquet body comprising a strip of resiliently elastic material
Data Source
AI summary
A non-pneumatic tourniquet includes a tourniquet body including a strip of resiliently elastic material. The tourniquet body includes a tourniquet section and a pair of handle sections on opposite ends of the tourniquet section. The tourniquet section defines at least two holes sized and shaped to receive a body part of a subject. The tourniquet section is configured to restrict blood flow to the body part when the body part is received in one of the holes in the tourniquet section.