Skin Pressures Under Blood Draw-tourniquets Clinical Trial
Official title:
Skin Surface Pressures Under Blood-Draw Tourniquets
Purpose: This research study seeks to determine whether surface pressures generated by elastic tourniquets used by phlebotomists during blood-draws can penetrate to deeper tissues where major arteries and nerves lie. Additionally, investigators will also determine the effects of prolonged tourniquet application on hand sensation using a controlled, reproducible force stimulus. In conjunction, the investigators will also track changes in skin surface pressures and pain levels over this prolonged tourniquet application. Hypothesis: The investigators hypothesize the use of common elastic tourniquets used for blood draws does not significantly impact sensation and will not elicit nerve or tissue damage. Technologies used: Monofilaments and Pressure Sensor
The objective of this study is to investigate the reproducibility and consequently the safety
of common elastic tourniquet methods for blood draws. Specifically, the study will
investigate whether the surface pressures produced by blood draw tourniquets when applied by
experienced phlebotomists are significant enough to penetrate to deeper tissue near bone
where major arteries and nerves lie. By relating factors including tourniquet width and
patient arm circumference to our surface pressure measurements and comparing our results to
previous literature, the investigators hope to determine the safety of current blood draw
tourniquet procedures.
In addition, the investigators will track changes in skin surface pressures over time to
determine if prolonged exposure to these tourniquet pressures has the potential to
permanently affect nerve function and muscle in tissues near bone.
Hand sensation will be investigated during a prolonged tourniquet application trial of the
study to test the effects of the generated pressures on median, ulnar, and radial nerve
viability over time.
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