Page 82 - Journal of Special Operations Medicine - Summer 2016

a result of repetitive training placement. Each device in
AAJT Design and Testing the study was expected to complete 56 tests. All AAJT
devices tested in the study remained intact for multiple
by John Croushorn, MD, President, Compression Works uses before breaking. Therefore, the design as tested
was shown to be capable of withstanding adverse field
conditions and maintain a high reliability for single-
n the Spring 2016 issue of the Journal of Special patient use.
Operations Medicine, researchers reported results
Iof a study of junctional hemorrhage and found the Irrespective of the study results, Compression Works
Abdominal Aortic and Junctional Tourniquet (AAJT; identified a potential weakness within the pressure
Compression Works; http://compressionworks.com) to gauge in early 2014 (all devices used in the study were
1
be very effective. However, they did encounter break- manufactured before this time). As a preventive mea-
age of the pressure gauges on the older devices they were sure, a protective cap (i.e., shroud) was designed to
using (Figure 1).
increase the ruggedness of the device. By April 2014,
all devices manufactured included this shroud over the
Figure 1 Breakage of gauge from repetitive stress.
end of the gauge (Figure 2). No breakages related to the
gauge have occurred since that time.

Figure 2 Protective cap added in April 2014.

Current information on field use of the AAJT shows
that it performs extremely well and provides mission Reference
operational reliability under its intended use. The AAJT 1. Chen J, Benov A, Nadler R, et al. Testing of junctional tourni-
is intended for single use only and is not a permanent, quets by medics of the Israeli Defense Force in control of simu-
reusable medical device. The perceived failure in dura- lated groin hemorrhage. J Spec Oper Med. 2016;16:36–42.
bility for the tested devices was due to excessive stress as

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