Disposable Tourniquet with Meandering Cut Pattern for Pressure Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tourniquets lack a reliable means to consistently apply the appropriate pressure for vein distension, leading to frequent failures in intravenous access attempts, and reusable tourniquets pose a risk of infection transmission due to their reusability.
Innovation Solution
A disposable tourniquet with a tension sensor featuring a strip with a head, tail, and loop portion, where the tension sensor has a predetermined pattern of cuts forming meandering paths to distribute tension evenly and provide feedback on applied pressure, allowing for accurate pressure application without the need for additional materials or complex fastening mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If reusable tourniquets are used, then cost is reduced and durability is improved, but infection transmission risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a disposable tourniquet made from inexpensive materials such as paper or thin plastic that can be discarded after single use. This eliminates infection transmission risk between patients while keeping production costs low through simple manufacturing processes and minimal material requirements.
2Measurement precision
If pressure indication means are added to tourniquets, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates visual indicators such as color-coded zones or color-changing materials that indicate the correct pressure level. When the tourniquet is tightened to the appropriate pressure, the indicator changes color or displays a specific pattern, providing immediate visual feedback without requiring complex mechanical or electronic components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses geometric patterns such as circles, arcs, or curved lines that deform predictably under tension. These geometric indicators change shape or alignment based on the applied pressure, providing measurement feedback through simple geometric transformations rather than complex mechanisms.
3Manufacturing precision
If tension distributing patterns are incorporated, then pressure consistency is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the tourniquet strip into multiple segments or zones with different structural characteristics. The tension distribution pattern is created by varying the density, orientation, or type of cuts across different segments, allowing controlled tension distribution while using simple individual cut patterns that are easy to manufacture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs asymmetric cut patterns where the density, length, or orientation of cuts varies across different regions of the tourniquet. This asymmetric design creates predictable tension distribution patterns that compensate for variations in limb circumference and shape, improving pressure consistency without requiring complex symmetric geometries.
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 tourniquet ensures reliable and consistent pressure application, reducing the risk of infection transmission and enabling easy production at low costs, making it suitable for disposable use while maintaining accuracy across varying limb circumferences.
Implementation Method 1
the tension sensor has a predetermined pattern of cuts forming meandering paths to distribute tension evenly
Implementation Method 2
The tourniquet is wrapped and tightened around an arm (or another limb) of a human or animal patient in order to distend the veins. This helps to facilitate the retrieval and puncture of a vein with a needle
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a tourniquet 1 comprising a tension sensor 8 and loop portion 4 ensuring that an intended pressure has been achieved on a body part on which the tourniquet is applied. The tension sensor comprises a plurality of cuts 20 arranged in a predetermined pattern. The present disclosure also relates to a dispenser comprising a plurality of such tourniquets, and a kit comprising a tourniquet.