Distributed manufacturing of an open-source tourniquet testing system.

Area of Science:

• Medical Devices
• Open-Source Hardware
• Emergency Medicine

Background:

• Commercial tourniquets are vital for emergency casualty prevention but face supply chain vulnerabilities.
• Open-source hardware offers a solution for distributed manufacturing of tourniquets during humanitarian crises.
• Existing tourniquet testers are often expensive, bulky, and complex, limiting their accessibility.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate a small, transportable, open-source, and additive-manufactured tourniquet tester.
• To provide an inexpensive and accurate method for testing tourniquets against clinical parameters.
• To overcome the accessibility limitations of current tourniquet testing equipment.

Main Methods:

• The study details the design and construction of an open-source tourniquet tester using additive manufacturing.
• The tester was validated and its operating force measurement capabilities were assessed.
• Calibration with a blood pressure monitor allows the device to display measurements up to 200 N.

Main Results:

• A functional, <$100 tourniquet tester was successfully developed and validated.
• The tester demonstrated accurate measurement of tourniquet operating force.
• The device offers significant economic and operational advantages over proprietary testers.

Conclusions:

• The developed open-source tourniquet tester is a cost-effective and accessible solution for ensuring tourniquet reliability.
• This device supports distributed manufacturing and field testing of tourniquets, crucial for emergency and humanitarian settings.
• The portable and inexpensive nature of the tester enhances the safety and effectiveness of tourniquet use globally.