Abdominal Aortic Junctional Tourniquet (AAJT)
The Abdominal Aortic Junctional Tourniquet (AAJT) is the first device to provide stable and complete occlusion of flow of blood to the pelvis, inguinal region and lower extremities. It has 510(k) approval from the FDA for difficult to control inguinal hemorrhage. It is applied to the mid-abdomen, tightened and inflated and may remain on for up to an hour safely. It is the easiest junctional device to use on the market today.
Primary Advantages
- Speed of application (mean time of application 45 sec, faster than a single CAT application or any of the other junctional devices)
- Definitive cessation of arterial blood flow below the umbilicus
- Lower tissue pressures for increased comfort and decreased risk of secondary tissue and nerve injury
- The AAT is the most stable junctional device during patient movement due to not being positioned near or over inguinal joint line
- The AAT is the only device to stop bleeding in interpelvic injuries which is a common complication in lower junctional trauma
- The AAT provides the capability to be used as a triage and assessment tool. First application allows a blood free field to identify wounds and apply appropriate interventions.
- No effect on respiratory effort or diaphragm movement during application
The AAJT is focused at a significant capability gap identified by the Institute of Surgical Research for care on the battlefield: how to address uncompressible hemorrhage that is not treatable by a tourniquet in the leg, groin, inguinal region and pelvis. This significant capability gap focuses on treatment for a class of preventable deaths not previously treatable. The solution to this problem must be stable, easy to apply and completely stop the loss of blood. The AAT™ is capable of this, and animal and human studies have demonstrated its safety and efficacy.
The AAJT™ provides a rapid application of pneumatic compression to the aorta at the abdominal-pelvic junction to occlude blood flow in the common iliac and inguinal arteries. The target of the compression is the aortic bifurcation, which has historically been identified in relation to the umbilicus or the superior margin of the iliac crests. Compression at this level is effective and safe and approved by the FDA. The device can be applied in about 45 seconds.
Difficult bleeds in the inguinal region continue to be a significant source of morbidity and mortality on the battlefield. Providing solutions for treating these wounds have direct life saving results. Wounds to the pelvis and inguinal region are now preventable causes of death.
The AAJT™ is a circumferential device that utilizes a belt, windlass and pneumatic pressure to compress the aorta. The belt and windlass together greatly increase the stability of the compression. The pneumatic wedge shaped bladder provides focused pressure to squeeze the blood vessels passing through the lower abdomen and preventing flow. The research referenced below demonstrates the safety of up to one hour of application and its effectiveness in non-invasively cross-clamping the aorta or fully stopping all blood flow to the pelvis and lower extremities. In essence the AAJT™ acts as a valve to figuratively ‘turn the faucet off’ and prevent the further flow of blood out of wounds below its application site.
Blood is the vital component to surviving blunt or penetrating trauma in the golden hour. It allows oxygen to be carried to the heart, brain and kidneys. Every drop of blood lost impacts survival. The AAT is the best solution for the prevention of shock in the casualty injured below the waist.