This has some advantages over the existing technique (packing w/ hemostatic z-fold gauze), but some big disadvantages.<p>It's a pretty bulky device, and space is at a premium on an ambulance. It also has a battery that needs to be maintained. I'm not sure a bulky device that needs routine maintenance (everything with a battery gets checked at least once a day in every ambulance service I've ever worked with) is worth carrying for very rare events. A couple packs of z-fold gauze take up as much room as a few decks of playing cards and would only need to get checked monthly (to see if they had expired).<p>Even in a place where stabbings are "common", this device is only useful in a specific subset of stabbings where wound packing can be used. If wound is in the torso/abdomen, this device isn't useful (there's nothing to press against), and if it's in a limb, a tourniquet is the right tool for the job.
His project is part of a cohort of cap stone design projects [0]. Browsing through them gives some real insight into current societal zeitgeist: A very large portion of them are related to health/medical issues, with a sizeable subset of <i>those</i> dealing with declining functionality due to aging.<p>[0] <a href="https://sdcashow2021.lboro.ac.uk/courses/product-design/" rel="nofollow">https://sdcashow2021.lboro.ac.uk/courses/product-design/</a>
Not the first use of a balloon to control bleeding:<p><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bakri_balloon" rel="nofollow">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bakri_balloon</a>
This is a actually a pretty good idea. Later on the maybe can impregnate the balloon with helpful molecules… I’m struggling to think right now what would be most appropriate. Pro-thrombotic molecules might work but might also have negatives (eg clot adhesion).<p>One comment said charging is a big downside; I don’t really agree. It could just as easily be corded or hand-powered. We use hand powered balloons all the time (eg in angioplasty), admittedly not as large but also likely at far higher pressures than would be required for simple hemostasis.<p>The (potentially very big) problem is that wounds are not always circular or even ovoid like a balloon might be. With gauze you can pack down into whatever shape you are presented with and fill the space, causing hemostasis. With a ballon, you probably cannot. That difference could actually be very important. Think of it as the space-filling resolution of the technique. It also doesn’t take that long to pack a wound, so I don’t think that is a huge advantage with this device.
It would be useful to know what the significance of this is - the inventor himself calls it a game changer, but the only expert quoted acknowledges there are plenty of interesting ideas out there that need to go through trials.<p>The lack of context for why this particular idea is a headline story (beyond "knife crime") is frustrating.
Anyone got more info on this? It seems there's a balloon that is inflated into the wound. It also talked about the benefit of not pulling out the clot when the balloon is removed. Is it because the material won't stick to blood clots?
URL appears to have been subtly changed. Try this one.<p><a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-leicestershire-57692160" rel="nofollow">https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-leicestershire-57692160</a>
I get a 404 error for this link. Here's one that's working for me: <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-leicestershire-57692160" rel="nofollow">https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-leicestershire-57692160</a>
Getting a 404 right now. Here's a working link: <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-leicestershire-57692160" rel="nofollow">https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-leicestershire-57692160</a>
Such an UK invention / media article. Reminds me of 4Chans weekly review of bin fires reported by the UK media.<p>Random fact acid attacks are mostly against men. Although it's somewhat equal around the world the UK where it's one of the highest rates tips it to men. (Like all stats the different NGO's argue this differently)