Automated tourniquet could reduce human error in emergency situations

Even with training and experience, responding to major trauma is one of the most high-pressure challenges faced by emergency services. When a severe limb injury causes catastrophic bleeding, responders have only minutes to act and even small mistakes can cost lives. Despite being one of the oldest medical tools, the manual tourniquet still relies heavily on human judgement at moments of extreme stress.

At The Emergency Services Show, Irad Kuhnreich, Co-founder and CTO of Xmetix, discussed how automation could transform this critical procedure. The company’s TAK-710 Smart Tourniquet was developed to reduce human error, improve speed and support responders when every second counts.

“The idea came to life from real-world lessons. We saw how much human error there is in placing a tourniquet under stress. Computers already outperform us in so many fields, and in emergency care, they can help us make faster, more reliable decisions too.”

Irad Kuhnreich, Co-founder and CTO of Xmetix.

Manual tourniquets depend on three key factors: how quickly they’re applied, the accuracy of the pressure, and how long that pressure is maintained. But in chaotic conditions, especially where multiple patients are involved, it’s easy for even experienced responders to make errors. Research shows that failure rates for manual tourniquet application can range from 20% to 80%, depending on stress, fatigue and environment.

The TAK-710 automates these variables. Once placed and activated, the device applies the correct pressure, stops the bleeding, and maintains consistent compression over time. “You simply place it around the limb, pull the safety pin, press the button, and it takes over,” said Irad. “It starts to build pressure automatically, triggers a timer, and keeps that pressure steady, even if the patient moves or the situation changes.”

Tourniquets have existed for centuries, with improvements emerging roughly once every generation. But as Irad explained, recent conflicts and mass casualty incidents have revealed the limits of manual design. “The key insight, especially coming from Ukraine, was how often responders were dealing with multiple injuries at once. When every patient has several wounds, automation saves not just seconds but the ability to move on to the next life-threatening priority,” he said.

The potential applications for emergency services are significant. While tourniquets are standard issue for paramedics, police and military personnel, many civilian responders and bystanders still face barriers to effective use, from lack of training to the challenge of performing under stress. Irad noted that limb injuries account for about 40% of all civilian trauma cases. “That could be a construction site, a road accident, or an industrial incident,” he said. “The time window is the same and the need for rapid action is just as urgent.”

Automation could also help manage large-scale emergencies. In mass casualty events, a single paramedic may need to coordinate care across multiple patients. A device that can be quickly deployed and left to operate autonomously allows responders to direct attention elsewhere while maintaining life-saving pressure. “Once you use it, the difference is obvious,” Irad explained. “It’s like moving from a manual screwdriver to an electric one. The outcome is the same, but the effort and margin for error are very different.”

The TAK-710 also includes built-in safeguards to ensure performance over extended durations. In remote or austere environments, where evacuation times may stretch to hours, maintaining consistent pressure can be difficult with manual devices. The smart software automatically adjusts for physiological and positional changes, keeping the tourniquet effective for up to six hours , which is an important advantage when distance or delays are factors.

“We have already saved many lives through this product.”

Irad Kuhnreich.

Irad confirmed that Xmetix is already working with emergency medical organisations and has seen the device used successfully in live operations. As the company prepares for its EU launch, the focus is on scaling production and building collaboration with emergency services. “We’re a small team but we’re ready to show how this can fit into real-world response,” Irad added.

Looking ahead, he sees the TAK-710 as part of a broader evolution in pre-hospital care. “Smart medical devices are the future,” he said. “There’s a huge opportunity to bring automation into areas where manual procedures have stayed the same for decades. Every lesson we learn from the field helps us innovate and reduce the risk of human error.”

For emergency services, the potential for faster, more reliable interventions that support both trained responders and bystanders in saving lives could be instrumental. As Irad put it, “When every second matters, even small improvements in speed and accuracy can make all the difference.”

Watch the full interview below.

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