The T-Ring was designed to give health care providers a safer and more effective option to current digital tourniquet methods. It was developed specifically to overcome the limitations and risks that are associated with these techniques. Our efforts to overcome these difficulties have led to a breakthrough in digital tourniquet design: the T-Ring is the only digital tourniquet that automatically adjusts to the size of the digit, resulting in a safe, reliable pressure with each use. In fact, the T-Ring has been shown to effectively provide hemostasis while applying less pressure than any other tourniquet method! This makes the “T-Ring” the safest, most efficient and effective digital tourniquet in use today.
We have reviewed the literature and consulted experts to identify the features of an “ideal” digital tourniquet; and we incorporated these features into the design of the T-Ring. After years of research, testing and clinical use, we are confident that the T-Ring will provide you a faster, more effective and safer option for your procedures involving digits.
The T-Ring is faster and easier to use than any other digital tourniquet. It instantly exanquinates as it is slid onto the digit, providing immediate hemostasis and ideal wound visualization. While we are pleased with the T-Ring’s utility and ease of use, our primary focus was to design a digital tourniquet that would overcome the complications associated with traditional tourniquet methods. Most complications are related to excessive pressure applied by the tourniquet or the effects of prolonged ischemia when the tourniquet is forgotten on the digit.
Complications related to the pressure applied to the digit may involve both the digital vessels and nerves. In an effort to minimize these complications, experts recommend using the least amount of pressure necessary to achieve hemostasis. The difficulty with this recommendation is twofold:
- Unlike pneumatic tourniquets used in limb surgery, there is currently no clinically useful method to measure the pressure applied by a digital tourniquet.
- Excessive pressures can easily be reached with all other methods. This may be the result of wrapping or clamping too tightly, or applying a tourniquet that is too small. The pressure applied by the tourniquet will depend on the size of the digit, the type and size of the tourniquet, and the manner in which the tourniquet is applied.
These challenges leave us in our current, unacceptable situation: we are using techniques that are all capable of applying excessive pressure to the digit, with no monitor to show us what the pressure is! This “Don’t Know, Don’t Show” approach increases the risk of injury to the underlying digital vessels and nerves, and would never be acceptable for limb tourniquets. Our solution to this problem was to design a tourniquet that would apply the same safe, reliable and effective pressure to a digit regardless of the size of the digit or the manner in which the tourniquet is applied. The T-Ring automatically adjusts to the size of the digit, becoming wider as the digit gets larger. This spreads a potentially greater pressure over a larger surface, ultimately resulting in safe, uniform pressures with each application.
We also designed the T-Ring to be highly conspicuous, making it extremely unlikely if not impossible to accidentally leave it on a digit. This will help eliminate the other well known complication of digital tourniquet use- ischemia due to a forgotten digital tourniquet.
While current digital tourniquet methods may be effective, they all have the risk of complications associated with their use. The most commonly used methods include the Penrose drain, the rolled glove finger, and commercially available silicon rings. Previous studies have demonstrated that each of these methods may apply pressure to the digit that exceeds what is considered to be safe (500 mm Hg). These studies demonstrate that the Penrose drain technique applies the highest pressure of all the methods, while the rolled glove technique is most prone to being forgotten on the digit- leading to the dreaded complication of digital necrosis.
The T-Ring has numerous advantages when compared to current digital tourniquet methods:
- Automatically Adjusts to Any Size Digit
- Safe Pressure - Every Time
- Unlike Other Methods, it Cannot be Over Tightened
- Immediate Hemostasis Provides Ideal Wound Visualization
- Highly Visible, Will Not Be Forgotten on the Digit
- Slides Over Lacerations, Avulsions and Traumatic Skin Flaps
- Faster and Easier to Use Than Any Other Method
- A Breakthrough in Digital Tourniquet Safety!
The T-Ring has been developed to provide a bloodless operating field for emergent and elective medical procedures involving the digits of the upper and lower extremities. In the evaluation and management of acute problems, its uses include:
- Wound Exploration for Foreign Bodies, or underlying Tendon, Bone or Joint Injuries
- Wound Repair of Lacerations, Avulsions, and Tip Amputations
- Management of Nail and Nail bed Injuries
- Achievement of Complete Hemostasis to Allow Closure of Smaller Wounds with Adhesive Strips; Eliminating the Need for Painful Injections and Costly, Time Consuming Suturing
- Drainage of Paronychia, and Finger and Toe Abscesses
The T-Ring is also indicated for the management of the following elective procedures:
- Elective Tendon, Bone or Joint Surgery
- Excision of Tumors, Warts and other Deformities
- Wound or Scar Revisions
- Biopsies
The T-Ring may also be used in the pre-hospital arena for the immediate, temporary control of bleeding associated with traumatic injuries. Professionals that use the T-Ring include fireman, paramedics, and military personnel. It is also found in first aid kits on construction sites, restaurants and other facilities with a high frequency of injury to the fingers.
The T-Ring has been developed to meet all of the criteria of the “Ideal Digital Tourniquet”. It’s unique ability to apply a safe, reliable pressure to any size digit while maintaining hemostasis is a breakthrough in digital tourniquet technology. While many devices have been used in emergency departments, operating suites and private offices over the years, none equal the effectiveness, efficiency and safety provided by the T-Ring.