Stab wound lifesaver for first responders wins national award for inventor Joseph
A UNIVERSITY graduate’s device designed to reduce blood loss from stab wounds has been named winner of the James Dyson award.
Former Loughborough University student Joseph Bentley, 22, created React – Rapid Emergency Actuating Tamponade – for first responders.
He entered it into the international design award, which had more entrants than ever before across its 27 participating nations.
Winning the national leg, Joseph’s project will now benefit from a cash injection of £2,000 as well as progressing to the international stage of the James Dyson Award.
The former product design and technology student had seen the effects of knife crime on two of his friends.
“Thankfully, both incidents were not fatal, but this is not the case for so many others,” Joseph said.
The device works by inserting a tamponade into the wound which is then inflated to a defined pressure based on the wound location to try to stem the bleeding.
Joseph claims his prototype could potentially be placed and stop a haemorrhage in less than minute – which he estimated could save hundreds of lives each year.
He said: “I was thrilled when I found out I’d won the national James Dyson Award.
“This prestigious endorsement confirms that the React concept could have real-world benefits and a positive impact on society.
“Although medical device testing takes a long time, I’m looking forward to using the prize money to develop my innovation further and hopefully see the device in the hands of first responders, saving lives.”
The 22-year-old is working on securing a patent for his winning design while developing the concept.
If he wins the international award, he would receive a prize of £30,000 as well as £5,000 for the university.
Dr Alex George, Dyson ambassador and an A&E doctor, said: “Although more needs to be done in the wider community to tackle knife crime at the source, Joseph’s React concept could be an impressive solution to help first responders, police officers and medical professionals deal with these types of injuries, should it pass its medical trials.
“Time is of the essence in treating these types of injuries and the React system could help buy some valuable time before full medical treatment can be administered.
“It’s great to see the James Dyson Award recognising young inventors, and I look forward to seeing how Joseph and the React device progress in the future.”
The international shortlist will be announced on October 13 and the international winners on November 17.
?This prestigious endorsement confirms that the React concept could have real-world benefits?.. Joseph Bentley