Ultrasound Device to Stop Hemorrhage in Combat Zones

Siemens Healthcare, a biotech company, announced that it managed to create an ultrasonic tourniquet which can quickly stop bleeding for troops in combat zones. The company's representatives stated that Siemens Healthcare signed a contract with the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). The device is expected to be ready by 2010.

The ultrasonic device was dubbed Deep Bleeder Acoustic Coagulation cuff (DBAC). It will be used to clot blood vessels without any invasion and staunch internal bleeding. It is worth mentioning that internal bleeding from combat limb wounds are the main cause of death of troops during a battle. The company hopes to use the device in future in the field of civilian care.

According to Siemens, its device is so simple that an untrained soldier would be able to operate with it. When applied to the wound, the machine scans the limb to identify the location of the severe bleeding; then using high-intensity ultrasound pulses the device will coagulate the blood.

The Deep Bleeder Acoustic Coagulation would be able to stop severe bleeding from liver, spleen and blood vessels in just 1-2 minutes.

The Agency believes that the device would be of much help to American troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. It could prevent limb loss from roadside bombs and improvised explosions. In addition the cuff will be able to prevent deaths from haemorrhagic shock.

Source: The Engineer