Evaluation of a manual, adjustable pressure device for bleeding control in low-resource and emergency settings

Introduction: Uncontrolled bleeding is one of the leading causes of preventable deaths in the world, especially in low-resource and emergency settings. In Palestine, the West Bank, where access to hospitals and immediate healthcare is very limited, civilians can only hope to get access to basic first aid. Hence, reports from the World Health Organization (WHO) call for practical bleeding-control tools suitable for field use.

Existing methods, such as tourniquets, stop bleeding but can cause complications if used for prolonged periods, while improvised techniques using cloth or bandages often provide inconsistent pressure. This study evaluates a manually operated, adjustable device that applies direct, localized pressure to the wound using an inflatable pressure system while avoiding complete occlusion of simulated flow through the model. The device is worn around the affected limb and allows the pressure to be adjusted by the user depending on the severity of the injury.

Methods: A survey and experimental bench-testing approach was used. First, an online survey of 200 participants (mostly with first-aid/medical experience) to gather participants’ perceptions of current bleeding control methods and their perceived need for and acceptance of the proposed device concept. Second, prototype testing using a gelatin-based wound model. Survey responses were analyzed, and prototype performance was assessed by measuring applied pressure, time to bleeding control, and the amount of simulated blood lost.
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Results: Survey results indicated widespread support for the proposed device concept, with a majority expressing concern about tourniquet-related complications. Prototype testing showed that the device applied a mean of 134 ± 12 mmHg of stable pressure and reduced simulated bleeding while maintaining simulated flow in the model.
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Conclusion: This study demonstrates promising preliminary benchtop feasibility of a manual, adjustable pressure device for bleeding control in controlled gelatin-model conditions, particularly as a concept designed for low-resource and conflict-affected settings. Additional validation with increasingly realistic models of bleeding is needed before any conclusions can be drawn about its clinical safety, efficacy, and potential role relative to established bleeding-control methods.