Towards a Novel Wearable Robotic Vest for Hemorrhage Suppression

2026-02-01

AI Summary

This study addresses the challenge of effectively controlling severe hemorrhage in non-limb torso regions—such as the abdomen, back, and neck—in emergency scenarios like space missions, where conventional tourniquets are ineffective. The authors propose a wearable robotic vest integrating a variable-configuration annular mechanism capable of adaptive switching between circular and elliptical shapes, multiple soft robotic arms, an inflatable ring, and pneumatic bladders. This system dynamically conforms to complex anatomical contours and delivers uniform, sustained pressure to achieve hemostasis. Experimental validation using a simulated casualty model and force feedback from a digital scale demonstrated the device’s efficacy in bleeding control. This work presents the first integration of a morphable annular structure with soft pneumatic actuators, establishing a novel paradigm for trauma-induced hemorrhage management in non-limb areas.

Technology Category

• Intelligent Robots: Manipulation
• Humans and AI: Interaction Techniques and Devices
• Computer Vision: Low Level & Physics-based Vision

Application Category

• Responsible Web: Machine-in-the-loop, human agency and autonomy
• Systems and Infrastructure for Web, Mobile and WoT: Energy management for devices in mobile Web and WoT environments
• User Modeling, Personalization and Recommendation: On-Device user modeling, personalization, and recommendation

Abstract

This paper introduces a novel robotic system designed to manage severe bleeding in emergency scenarios, including unique environments like space stations. The robot features a shape-adjustable"ring mechanism", transitioning from a circular to an elliptical configuration to adjust wound coverage across various anatomical regions. We developed various arms for this ring mechanism with varying flexibilities to improve adaptability when applied to non-extremities of the body (abdomen, back, neck, etc.). To apply equal and constant pressure across the wound, we developed an inflatable ring and airbag balloon that are compatible with this shape-changing ring mechanism. A series of experiments focused on evaluating various ring arm configurations to characterize their bending stiffness. Subsequent experiments measured the force exerted by the airbag balloon system using a digital scale. Despite its promising performance, certain limitations related to coverage area are identified. The shape-changing effect of the device is limited to scenarios involving partially inflated or deflated airbag balloons, and cannot fully conform to complex anatomical regions. Finally, the device was tested on casualty simulation kits, where it successfully demonstrated its ability to control simulated bleeding.

Problem

• hemorrhage suppression
• wearable robotic vest
• non-extremity bleeding
• emergency trauma care
• anatomical adaptability

Innovation

• shape-adjustable ring mechanism
• wearable robotic vest
• hemorrhage suppression
• inflatable airbag balloon
• bending stiffness