Pneumatic tourniquet apparatus and method of use
Inventors
Kosiorek, Christopher B. • Drayton, Dexter C. • Abir, Esra • Damar, Neslihan • Polat, Nilufer • Avci, Yavuz
Assignees
Alphapointe • United States Department of the Army
Publication Number
US-10271855-B2
Publication Date
2019-04-30
Expiration Date
2034-09-29
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Abstract
A pre-fabricated pneumatic tourniquet apparatus and related methods are provided. The tourniquet is easy to apply, ensures consistent and even circumferential pressure, is light weight, provides standard life saving operation, and can be utilized in any setting or situation. The pneumatic tourniquet apparatus is comprised of a bladder, a reservoir chassis, a retaining cover, a receiver and a slider. The bladder is elongated in shaped—long enough to wrap around most human limbs.
Core Innovation
The invention provides a pre-fabricated pneumatic tourniquet apparatus designed for restricting blood flow in limbs during emergency situations such as extreme hemorrhage or exsanguination. The tourniquet apparatus includes an elongated bladder that can be inflated to create circumferential pressure, a reservoir chassis to hold and protect the bladder, a retaining cover to secure and further protect the chassis, a receiver connected near the retaining cover, and a slider that can be positioned along the retaining cover to engage with the receiver and form a friction buckle loop. This configuration allows the tourniquet to form a continuous loop around most human limbs for life-saving use.
The problem addressed is the inadequacy of traditional and existing tourniquet designs for emergency use. Conventional cloth and mechanical windless tourniquets are prone to causing neurovascular damage, are not consistent in applying even pressure, and require fine motor skills to operate—which may not be feasible under extreme duress. Moreover, existing pneumatic tourniquets are generally confined to hospital use due to design and cost constraints, rendering them ineffective or inapplicable in the field. There is a need for a light weight, easy-to-apply, durable, and mechanically operable pneumatic tourniquet that provides consistent, even circumferential pressure suitable for use across various settings including military, civilian emergencies, and outdoor activities.
The invention also includes a method of making the pneumatic tourniquet apparatus involving sealing a bladder, inserting it into a reservoir chassis, attaching a retaining cover, and connecting a receiver and slider to form a friction buckle system. The bladder is formed from a single sheet of plastic sealed on three edges, capable of holding sufficient air pressure. The reservoir chassis has a main section for the bladder and an extension section for larger extremities. The retaining cover overlaps the chassis and can be secured by dual hook and loop fasteners, providing secondary security and protection. The slider and receiver allow quick, one-handed application and adjustable tightening of the tourniquet loop, providing reliable circumferential pressure.
Claims Coverage
The patent includes three independent claims covering the pneumatic tourniquet apparatus with components enabling blood flow restriction through inflatable bladders, structural chassis, and securing mechanisms.
Pneumatic tourniquet apparatus with elongated bladder and dual loop securing system
An apparatus comprising an elongated inflatable bladder moveable between inflated and deflated states to restrict blood flow; an elongated reservoir chassis with a main section enveloping the bladder and manually wrapped around a limb forming a first loop; a retaining cover attached at the proximal end of the chassis forming a second loop when wrapped and secured; a receiver connected near the proximal end accepting a slider; and a slider movably connected along the retaining cover that engages with the receiver as a friction buckle to secure the second loop.
Tourniquet apparatus with reservoir chassis extension and selective coupling
An apparatus with a bladder placed in a reservoir chassis having a main section and an extension section that selectively couples to the main section's outer surface to secure the tourniquet. A retaining cover attached adjacent to the chassis sections wraps around the chassis forming a second loop. A receiver attached adjacent to the cover's attachment point and a slider attached to the retaining cover engage to secure the tourniquet in a secured configuration by forming the second loop.
Tourniquet apparatus with coordinated encircling components and inflatable bladder
An apparatus comprising an elongated bladder, an elongated reservoir chassis with a main section configured to encircle a limb, a retaining cover coupled near the proximal end of the chassis operable to encircle the chassis forming a loop, a receiver connected near where the retaining cover attaches to the chassis, and a slider along the retaining cover. The apparatus moves between disengaged, engaged, and secured configurations by wrapping chassis and cover and mating slider with receiver. Inflation of the bladder creates compressive force for blood flow restriction, with the chassis and retaining cover designed to maintain circumference and positioning during inflation. The reservoir chassis includes an extension section configured to encircle limb in a direction opposite to the main section.
The claims define a pneumatic tourniquet apparatus with an inflatable bladder housed in a reservoir chassis extended for larger limbs, secured and protected by a retaining cover. The apparatus uses a receiver and a slider that form a friction buckle to create adjustable and secure loops for applying circumferential pressure to restrict blood flow effectively.
Stated Advantages
Easy to apply with one-handed operation without requiring fine motor skills.
Ensures consistent and even circumferential pressure to effectively occlude blood flow while reducing risk of neurovascular damage.
Lightweight and ruggedized for use in various settings, including field, military, and recreational environments.
Provides a standard life-saving operation suitable for immediate control of hemorrhage.
Secondary securing mechanism with dual hook and loop fasteners prevents slippage and pressure reduction.
The friction buckle system offers secure, adjustable, and quick fastening with tactile and audible feedback.
Documented Applications
Emergency use for restricting blood flow during extreme hemorrhage or exsanguination.
Use on upper or lower extremities in military battlefield scenarios complying with Tactical Combat Casualty Care guidelines.
Pre-hospital trauma care, including civilian emergency medical services.
Outdoor recreational activities with inherent injury risks such as camping, rock climbing, hiking, and boating.
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