Self-releasing tourniquet timer mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional tourniquets often remain in place for extended periods, leading to haemoconcentration, false blood results, and risk of limb dysfunction or blood clots when medical personnel are distracted, necessitating an improved self-releasing mechanism.
Innovation Solution
A self-releasing tourniquet apparatus with a tensioned strap and a housing featuring a timer-controlled projecting element that automatically releases tension after a predetermined period, accompanied by audible and visual indicators to prompt manual removal, and a mechanism for automatic release if not removed manually.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional tourniquet is used to control venous circulation during blood drawing, then blood flow is effectively controlled for procedure success, but the tourniquet may remain in place for extended periods causing haemoconcentration, false blood results, and risk of limb dysfunction or blood clots
Solution Approach 1:
The timer mechanism is pre-set to automatically release the tourniquet after a predetermined safe period (e.g., 2 minutes), performing the release action in advance before harmful effects can occur. This eliminates reliance on medical personnel remembering to remove the tourniquet timely.
Solution Approach 2:
The timer provides continuous time tracking feedback and alerts (visual/audible signals) to indicate when the tourniquet has been worn for too long, prompting immediate removal. This feedback loop ensures the tourniquet is removed before causing haemoconcentration or other complications.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a timer-controlled automatic release mechanism is implemented, then tourniquet tension is automatically released after predetermined time preventing complications, but device complexity increases with additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The timer, release mechanism, and alert system are integrated into a single housing unit that combines multiple functions (timekeeping, mechanical release, visual/audible alerting) into one compact apparatus, reducing overall system complexity despite adding automatic release capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The tourniquet apparatus serves itself by automatically monitoring time and releasing tension without requiring external intervention. The self-releasing mechanism activates autonomously when the predetermined time elapses, eliminating the need for manual removal and reducing operational complexity.
3Ease of operation
If medical personnel manually monitor and remove the tourniquet, then flexibility in procedure timing is maintained, but distraction or oversight can lead to prolonged tourniquet application and patient complications
Solution Approach 1:
Visual (LED) and audible (buzzer) feedback signals continuously monitor and alert medical personnel when the tourniquet has been applied for too long. This dual-signal feedback system ensures reliable detection of excessive wear time even when personnel are distracted, preventing complications while maintaining operational simplicity.
Data Source
AI summary
A self-releasing tourniquet apparatus comprises an elongate strap and a housing. The strap has a first end and a second end and a plurality of holes arranged at substantially regular intervals along its length. The first end of the strap is connectable to the housing. The housing includes a projecting element sized to be received in one of the plurality of holes on the strap. The housing includes means for moving the projecting element from a first position to a second position after a predetermined period of time, and also includes timer means for measuring the predetermined period of time. In use, the strap is tensioned around a patient's limb when the projecting element is in the first position, and tension is released when the projecting element is in the second position.