Scotseal.

What it does

Scotseal, an intuitive mechanical medical device, that allows Zero-Responders (members of the general public, who are often untrained but already on the scene of the accident/incident) to provide life saving help without any prior training or knowledge.

Your inspiration

In the initial stages of research for the project, the most challenging part was seeing the vastly different shapes and depths of wounds, due to the unpredictable nature of these injuries and the infinite possibility of objects causing them. It seemed an impossible task to design for ever-changing shapes. Until I found inspiration in a Bruce Lee quote, in which he speaks about water being formless, and said "You put water into a cup, it becomes the cup. You put water into a bottle, it becomes the bottle. You put it in a teapot, it becomes the teapot." Upon hearing this, it inspired me to create a user focused device that 'becomes the wound'.

How it works

Once the device is in your hand, it can be applied in 4 simple steps, with an application time of only 2-4 seconds. Step 1. 'Peel' Seal 1 and place over the wound. Step 2. 'Pull' Seal 2 (the device is now primed). Step 3. 'Pull' Seal 3 (the device is now live). Step 4. 'Press down' on number 4, to save a life. When the 4 step process is complete, an unguided element within the pod expands with an isotropic force (meaning, equal pressure in every direction). This then mimics the exact shape and form of the wound, the self seeking nature of the device in this mimicking process, allows for the ruptured vessel or multiple ruptured vessels to receive direct pressure, compressing them and stopping the escaping blood. Once the pre-set pressure is reached and the device comes to a stop, the applicator can be twisted off, leaving only the pod behind over the wound. You have now stabilised the victim and bought them time until medical help arrives.

Design process

Looking at overall cause mortality, the highest causes of death were all medical condition or disease, Heart Disease, Cancer, Diabetes, Stroke, Respiratory Disease, Dementia and even Diarrhoea. Then, Road Traffic Collisions, when researching Road Traffic Collisions, by far the leading cause of External Haemorrhage, far more that Gun or Knife Crime. I noticed that current solutions, come with confusion, pain points, serious risk and lack of intuitiveness. I interviewed and spent time with NHS Paramedics, Fire Brigade and even went over to Eindhoven, Netherlands to meet a medical designer at Philips, who had experienced External Haemorrhage herself. I analysed everything that I could find and found that with both training and experience of large External Haemorrhage injuries, these methods could be effective but only if both were present. Highlighting an area which was overlooked, the person who has witnessed or come across the accident - the Zero-Responder. I then broke the process down into 4 steps. 1. Design and test the conformable element. 2. Ergonomic Form development inspiring confidence. 3. Mechanisms, allowing for as simple as possible operation. 4. Package the design to show a taboo subject (blood) in an informative and non confronting way to share the message.

How it is different

The available methods which are currently in Blood Control Kits, found in major city centres contain Tourniquet's, Haemostatic Gauze and Chest Seals, all of which require prior training to use safely and effectively. Scotseal is an update on these current methods available to the general public (Zero-Responders). This simple process of Scotseal, comprising of only 4 steps (3 of which are simply removing seals, the other being the basic action of pressing down) encourages user confidence and increases the chances of untrained individuals giving it a try, due to its simplicity. Scotseal, is a purely mechanical, user focused device. Allowing for swift stabilisation without any need for electronics, sensors, guides, charging or operating settings. Surface adhesion is used to assist in the initial seconds during application, however there is no need for added attachment to the skin as the outward force holds the expanded element in, like a cork in a bottle.

Future plans

I truly believe that good design can change the world, simple designs that people feel confident interacting with without hesitation, is the way to get there. I would like to develop Scotseal further, making it available in times of need. Scotseal should be nearby and free to anyone who needs it, through awareness and marketing, Scotseal should be known to all and become a tool to help people who are in the most vulnerable position of them all, feeling helpless and at risk of death from blood loss injury. Every second counts, when your bleeding out - Scotseal.

Awards

I recently won Runner Up New Designer of the Year (2nd place) at New Designers 2025. This was accompanied by a KeyShot Loves Award for the renders of Scotseal.