Head-to-Head Study
Dolphin Ring Cutter® Successfully Cut 100% of Modern Hard-Metal Rings Tested
In the study Evaluation of Made-for-Purpose Ring Cutter Devices for the Removal of Modern Hard Ring Materials, published in the Canadian Journal of Emergency Medicine, the Dolphin Ring Cutter successfully cut 100% of the tungsten carbide, titanium and stainless steel rings tested — and was the only device evaluated to successfully cut all three materials.
Perry, J. J., Khaksari, S., Sandino-Gold, G., Nemnom, M.-J., & Pan, A. (2026, September 21). Evaluation of made-for-purpose ring cutter devices for the removal of modern hard ring materials. Canadian Journal of Emergency Medicine.
100%
Overall Cutting Success
62 / 62
Rings Successfully Cut
~4 min
Mean Successful Cut Time
4.8 / 5
Ease of Use & Confidence
(Perry et al., 2026)
How the Ring Cutters Compared
Twenty-one emergency department professionals completed 242 ring-cutting attempts using four purpose-designed ring cutting devices.
Successful Cutting Attempts
(Perry et al., 2026)
The Dolphin was the only device evaluated that successfully cut all three modern hard-ring materials.
Performance Beyond Cutting Success
Faster Cutting. High User Confidence.
Dolphin Mean Cut Time
251 sec
Approximately 4 Minutes
Mean time to successful cut with the Dolphin Ring Cutter.
Ease of Use
4.8 / 5
Highest Rated
Emergency department professionals gave Dolphin the highest ease-of-use rating among devices evaluated.
User Confidence
4.8 / 5
Highest Rated
Dolphin also received the highest confidence rating among the devices evaluated.
(Perry et al., 2026)
Why This Matters
Modern Rings Require Modern Ring Removal Tools
Ring entrapment can become increasingly urgent as swelling progresses and circulation becomes compromised.
Modern rings are increasingly manufactured from hard materials such as tungsten carbide, titanium and stainless steel, creating challenges for traditional ring cutting methods.
When the available device cannot cut the ring, treatment may be delayed, additional tools may be required, or the patient may need to be transferred to another facility.
Ring entrapment can be time-sensitive
Progressive swelling may make removal increasingly difficult and can compromise circulation.
Modern ring materials are harder to cut
Tungsten carbide, titanium and stainless steel can challenge conventional ring removal methods.
Appropriate equipment matters
Reliable purpose-built tools may help reduce delays when cutting becomes necessary.
(Perry et al., 2026)
The Research
About the Study
The study, “Evaluation of made-for-purpose ring cutter devices for the removal of modern hard ring materials,” was led by Jeffrey J. Perry, M.D., of the Department of Emergency Medicine at the University of Ottawa and the Acute Care Research Program at The Ottawa Hospital Research Institute. Participants included physicians, registered nurses, registered practical nurses and patient care attendants. Rings were mounted on manikin hands, ring materials were not disclosed to participants, and cutting techniques followed each manufacturer’s instructions. The study was funded by Prince Edward Island BioAlliance.
The Conclusion
“Optimal tool out of the four tools assessed”
The researchers identified the Dolphin Ring Cutter as the only consistently effective and efficient tool among those evaluated, highlighting the need for emergency departments to have reliable tools capable of managing modern durable ring metals.
See the Dolphin in Action
A stuck ring can go from uncomfortable to urgent to critical as swelling increases and
circulation becomes compromised, and that is not the time to discover that the tool you
have can’t cut the ring.
Emergency clinicians need a reliable, purpose-built option that can address the materials
they are actually encountering.
A Complete Solution to Ring Removal
The Ring Rescue Kit
The Ring Rescue Kit provides healthcare professionals with both non-destructive and cutting-based options for managing ring entrapment.
Dolphin Ring Cutter®
A medical-grade ring cutter designed to safely cut modern ring metals, including tungsten carbide and titanium. Its diamond-coated AssureCUT Disc and automatic finger guard provide controlled cutting designed for single-person operation.
Explore the Dolphin →
Compression Device
A non-destructive ring removal option designed to reduce swelling and help preserve the ring when clinically appropriate. The Compression Device uses controlled air pressure to compress the finger and can also create space beneath the ring for insertion of the finger guard if cutting becomes necessary.
Explore the Compression Device →Is Your Department Equipped for Modern Ring Metals?
See how the Ring Rescue Kit can help your emergency department, urgent care center, EMS agency or fire department prepare for ring entrapment cases.