3D-printed tourniquets could save lives in conflict zones

Blockades and supply issues limit access to life-saving medical devices in war zones. Companies are creating open-source 3D-printed products to fill the gap

By James Stout

3D-printed tourniquets could save lives in war zones lacking crucial medical supplies.

Tourniquets, which use constriction to prevent massive bleeding in extremities, have long been used on the battlefield in one form or another. Over time, their design has been honed to be just a nylon strap that doesn’t stretch and a plastic windlass that allows a user to tighten the device enough to constrict blood flow in a limb and stop bleeding.

Apart from being used in military conflicts, tourniquets …