Attached
The Tourniquet is a strip of material which is used in
medical applications to prevent flow of blood from an artery or used
for purposes of identifying the vein for intravenous injections. The
product needs end use requirement which are of Technical and
Aesthetic nature. For number of good reasons, the product is based on
Natural Rubber Latex (NRL). It was found that certain types of
naturally present proteins in NRL in instances where the products
corne in contact with body parts that causes the allergic reaction such
as skin rashes; hives (skin eruption); nasal eye or sinus symptoms,
asthma; respiratory difficulties, low blood pressure. It causes serious
and debilitating illness and it is a known cause of occupational
fatality.
For this reason, Non Latex Tourniquet (NLT), that offers
all the physical characteristics of a Natural Rubber Latex Tourniquet
(NRLT) straps appears to be the best substitute. It s properties that
leads to successful replacement for NRLT in identified areas where
protein allergy is a problem have been discussed. This study was to
identify factors that lead to protein allergy and to develop a special
formulation and a production process that results in an out put of an
unique non-slip, protein-free and powder free tourniquet straps and
its potential substitution of NRLT in medical applications. The product
provides a latex-free alternative for patients and healthcare workers
who are sensitive to protein that is present in NRL. T he studies have
been found that 1% to 6% of the general public and 8% to 12% of
health care workers are at risk of suffering an allergic reaction from
exposure to products made out of NRL. It was found that certain types
of naturally present proteins in natural latex causes the allergy. The project study was also aimed at developing a NLT at a
prrc e very much competitive to sim ilar products that are available in
quality conscious markets in USA, Europe, Scandinavia, Australia and
Japan.
The project involved in working on number of formulations
based on synthetic elastomers and their blends. The product was also
tested on range of application requirements such as strength
properties, sterilization capabilities, keeping qualities, packing as per
medical norms, safety and finally product presentation and
acceptab ili ty.
The appropriate tensile and other properties were carried
out before and after ag e mg on all samples. Infra Red (IR)
spectroscopic data were also obtained for r an d om sa m p l c s to 111 ake
sure the developed samples are free from protein and other toxic
compounds. Results so obtained were evaluated to identify the
compound design that has yielded the best com prom ise of process
ability parameters and perform ance characteristics.
After careful exam ination of perform ance application and
quality aspects of the product, a process was developed for
commercial implementation that yeild high productivity while
maintaining expectation of a quality conscious buyer who is also
looking for a product at a competitive price. In view of the disposable
nature of the product, a potential growth in term s of market volume
in the medical sector is expected.
It's appropriate to put on record that t h is project is fully
implemented in a subsidiary company of C.W. Mackie & Co. Ltd. ,
generating around US $ 500,000 per annum and expect continuous
