Student Builds Life-Saving Device That Can Instantly Stop Bleeding From Stab Wounds

Joseph Bentley, a final year student from Loughborough University has developed a life-saving device that is capable of preventing the human body from severe blood loss in case of a stab or impaling wound.

PA

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The device is called REACT and is designed to treat deep wounds of stabbing or impalement that can often result in the patient bleeding to death if they’re not provided appropriate medical attention at the right time. 

Today, paramedics try to stop the wound with the help of bleed control kits where paramedics use gauze and push it into the wound offering internal pressure to the site and making sure any severed arteries are sealed shut.

But this technique doesn’t really work in case of an abdominal wound as there’s ample empty space there and too much gauze might be needed to fill up that space to create the necessary pressure. However, sometimes when the gauze is removed from the wound during the surgery, it results in the blood clots to break too, causing the bleeding to commence again. 

REACT, however, uses the same principle but in a way more effective approach. It works sort of like a balloon on the inside of a paper-mache lantern, where after the balloon is deflated, the blood clot that held the wound in place, stays there. 

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The device comprises a silicon balloon sleeve also known as a tamponade and a handheld device that’s called an actuator. The tamponade is inserted into the wound and then connected to the actuator which inflates it to create an appropriate pressure. As per company claims, REACT can help stop haemorrhage in less than a minute.

PA

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The device is far from finished though as it’s just in the prototype stage, however, Bently has filed for a UK patent for the system and is working to make it useful for wounds in other parts of the body.

Joseph Bentley said in a statement, “Medical device development takes a long time, but hopefully in a few years the REACT system will be used to control the bleeding in victims of knife crime and save lives. I'm hoping one day it will be carried by all emergency services: police, ambulance staff, even the military, but the absolute goal is to get this product in use as soon as possible.”