Inflatable balloon-based device limits deaths due to profuse bleeding

Unstoppable and profuse bleeding is often a problem too severe for medics to cater to, and for the suffering - wounded of bullets, bombs or other injuries - the cause is fatal. Citing dearth of any affective treatment for deep wounds that cause life-threatening bloodloss, CardioCommand, a Tampa Florida based medical device company, has developed a balloon-based catheter-like system called the TourniCath that can be inserted into the wound and can be inflated in about 90 seconds to stop the bleeding.

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Shaped like a wand, the device is to be inserted into the wound wherein the medic can inflate the nylon coated soft polyurethane balloon to the shape and size of the wound to compress it completely. Made especially for shoulder and groin area where conventional tourniquets cannot be applied, the TourniCath could certainly have grave benefits to soldier, who after being injured by bullets and shrapnel succumb to their injuries owing to profuse bleeding.

Via: TechnologyReview