Abstract: A tourniquet, destined to be used in an emergency, particularly on the battlefield, comprises a strap and a combined mechanism for tightening the strap and indicating the pressure exerted on the limb. The mechanism consists of a casing which contains a spool on which the free end of the strap is wound up by means of a pawl and ratchet mechanism. This casing is slidingly movable on a plate attached to the second end of the strap and urged in a direction opposed to the tightening force by two spiral springs positioned between the plate and the casing. Two tongues integral with the plate are made to protrude out of the casing by a length proportional to the compression of the springs and are marked to indicate the pressure exerted on the limb by the strap. These marks also give an indication of the maximum force allowable for an arm or a leg, taking into consideration the circumference of the respective limb.

Abstract: An intramedullary nail comprising an outer tubular sheath and a rod-shaped element movable in the sheath in longitudinal direction, is provided at its front end, with an expandable element in the shape of two or more longitudinal spreadable branches formed out of the front end of the tubular sheath. An expanding mechanism comprises an expander heat provided at the front end of the rod-shaped element and two or more longitudinal links, one link each being pivotally connected at its rear end to one of the spreadable branches close to its front end and being, at its front end, pivotally connected to the expander head.