Combat Medical Systems won FDA approval for its atypical tourniquet, designed to prevent deaths from uncontrolled bleeding that most often takes place because of roadside and terrorist bombings.

This is the 1st device of its kind approved to treat unmanageable amputations and pelvic injuries, and it has already been shown to save lives based on limited use on soldiers in Afghanistan and traumatic civilian situations domestically, the company said. Uncontrolled bleeding is the number 1 cause of death in combat.