Shape of things to comeDARPA seeks ultrasonic tourniquets

Published 2 October 2008

New device, placed on the arm or a leg of an injured soldier or first responder will use ultrasound scanning to pinpoint internal bleeding, before focusing “high-power energy” on the bleed sites

U.S. researchers are trying to develop an automated ultrasonic cuff which could be fitted to the arms or legs of wounded troops or first responders to stop blood loss and so save the limb — or even the individual’s life. The Engineer reports that Siemens Healthcare has received a contract under which it will partner with Texas A&M and the University of Washington to produce the “Deep Bleeder Acoustic Coagulation” (DBAC) cuff.

The idea is that an untrained user will be able to attach the DBAC to the arm or leg of a colleague who has suffered a penetrating wound. The device will use ultrasound scanning to pinpoint internal bleeding, before focusing “high-power energy” on the bleed sites. This will cause the blood to coagulate, forming instant scabs and so preventing further blood loss. The cuff is intended to lower chances of limbs being lost to severe battlefield trauma, which is an increasingly common situation as improved combat medicine saves more and more soldiers who would previously have died — but often can not preserve their limbs. The DBAC, if it works as intended, should also prevent deaths from haemorrhagic shock.