SYGNIS Tourniquet – 3D-printable, field-tested
DESIGN: Maciej Głowacki, Olga Kozłowska (SYGNIS S.A.)
Poland
make me! 2023
1st place make me! Design Award and a cash prize of PLN 15.000
Tourniquets are items that serve to save lives. An effective well-placed tourniquet completely cuts off the blood flow to an injured limb, significantly reducing the risk of death. The demand for them was reported by Ukrainians fighting the Russian aggressor.
The offensive of low-quality 3D-printed tourniquets sent to Ukraine, resulted in scepticism among medics and military officials about the use of 3D printing. Thus, we decided to analyse the production process and mechanics of certified tourniquets and create our own fully-tested proposal.
Tourniquets save lives, so we were guided by a sense of responsibility. We subjected the design to in-depth review by paramedics, military personnel, field medics and material science experts. After rigorous lab testing, we sent the first batch to the front – we were answered by requests for more. To date, we have donated more than 1,700 of them, and we know of at least 3 lives saved thanks to our project.
SYGNIS Tourniquet – 3D-printable, field-tested, design: Maciej Głowacki, Olga Kozłowska / from designer’s archive
SYGNIS Tourniquet – 3D-printable, field-tested, design: Maciej Głowacki, Olga Kozłowska / from designer’s archive
SYGNIS Tourniquet – 3D-printable, field-tested, design: Maciej Głowacki, Olga Kozłowska / from designer’s archive
MACIEJ GŁOWACKI
OLGA KOZŁOWSKA
Graduates of the Faculty of Design at the Academy of Fine Arts in Warsaw, both previously studied at the Faculties of Geology, Physics and Chemistry at the University of Warsaw. The background of their scientific education allows them to maintain an analytical approach in their design projects. Maciej has been gaining professional experience since 2014, working for Polish technology company SYGNIS S.A., where he created and leads the Design Department. Olga joined him in 2020.
They both believe that design is a vocation and love that they share for it is one of the foundations of their friendship. It also allows us to take a lot of pleasure in collaboration – even despite the awareness that design is also a huge responsibility. In the dialogue that is the user’s interaction with design, they like to notice subtleties, take habits into account, and hide subtle whispers of care for the user’s well-being.
