By Greg Friese
LEICESTERSHIRE, United Kingdom — The Rapid Emergency Actuating Tamponade (REACT) device, invented by a recent design and technology degree university student, aims to reduce catastrophic blood loss from a knife wound.
Joseph Bentley, 22, according to a university press release, created a device with an implantable medical-grade silicone balloon and an actuator to inflate the balloon inside the wound to tamponade internal bleeding. The device user selects the wound location on the actuator which then inflates the balloon to the desired pressure.
Bentley believes that the application and automated inflation procedure of the REACT system could be a more effective method for first responders compared to traditional methods of stabilizing an impaled object or attempting to apply direct pressure to a penetrating knife wound.
“Knife crime is a topic that is personal to me, as two of my friends were victims of knife-related incidents,” Bentley said. “Thankfully both incidents were not fatal, but this is often not the case for so many others. Seeing the profound effect that it had on my friends and their families urged me to try and create a solution that could help others in the future.”
Bentley is one of 27 country winners. Along with £2,000 in project funding the REACT will progress to the international stage of the James Dyson Award.
“I’m looking forward to using the prize money to develop my innovation further and hopefully see the device in the hands of first responders saving lives,” Bentley said.
“Although more needs to be done in the wider community to tackle knife crime at the source, Joseph’s REACT concept could be an impressive solution to help first responders, police officers, and medical professionals deal with these types of injuries, should it pass its medical trials,” Dr. Alex George, Dyson Ambassador and A&E Doctor said.