A tourniquet cuff is a medical device used to apply controlled pressure to a limb in order to restrict blood flow during surgical procedures or in emergency situations. It typically consists of an inflatable cuff that is placed around the limb and connected to a device that controls the inflation pressure.
Tourniquet cuffs are used to create a bloodless surgical field, allowing surgeons to operate more precisely. They are also used in emergency situations to control severe bleeding, especially in cases of traumatic injuries where rapid blood loss could be life-threatening.
The cuff is inflated to a pressure that is higher than the systolic blood pressure, ensuring that arterial blood flow is temporarily stopped. Care must be taken to monitor the duration and pressure of the tourniquet application to prevent tissue damage or other complications.
