Device to increase intra-pelvic compartment pressure for the controling of internal hemorrhage
Inventors
Assignees
Publication Number
US-10555741-B1
Publication Date
2020-02-11
Expiration Date
2037-01-14
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Abstract
A device to increase intra-pelvic compartment pressure for the controlling of internal hemorrhages is presented. The device controls internal hemorrhaging by supplementing the occlusion effectiveness of a pneumatic tourniquet with a shaped device that increases the overall internal pressure in a human compartment, such as the inguinal area, to assist in the cessation of bleeding in that region. One side of the device includes a flat base that is adapted to be placed against a patient at the targeted body site. The other side has a generally corrugated shape that is sized to receive an inflatable, wedge-shaped bladder from the pneumatic tourniquet. The overall shape of the invention includes a tapered end that corresponds with the inferior angle of the pubic rami and pelvic area generally so that when pressed against the patient by the pneumatic tourniquet bladder a uniform distribution of pressure occurs over the inguinal area.
Core Innovation
The invention is a device designed to increase intra-pelvic compartment pressure to control internal hemorrhages, specifically by supplementing the occlusion effectiveness of a pneumatic tourniquet. It involves a shaping device placed between a pneumatic tourniquet's inflatable bladder and the patient's inguinal area. One side of this device includes a flat base adapted to contact the patient, and the other side features a corrugated shape sized to receive the inflatable wedge-shaped bladder of the pneumatic tourniquet. The device's overall tapered end corresponds anatomically to the inferior angle of the pubic rami and pelvic area to provide a uniform distribution of pressure over the inguinal area.
The background problem addressed by the invention is the difficulty emergency responders face when dealing with severe internal abdominal hemorrhage caused by blunt trauma where rapid surgical intervention is unavailable. Current tourniquet solutions such as mechanical clamps and pneumatic tourniquets are often ineffective because internal bleeding location and severity cannot be easily identified or precisely targeted, and improper placement can reduce effectiveness. Therefore, a medical device is needed to quickly increase internal pressure uniformly in the pelvic compartment to assist in hemorrhage control when exact bleeding sites are unknown and rapid transport to surgical care is not possible.
The invention's device, used in combination with a pneumatic tourniquet, provides a supplemental mechanism that distributes pressure more uniformly over the inguinal region than the narrow, wedge-shaped bladder alone, thus increasing intra-pelvic compartment pressure and aiding in cessation of internal bleeding. The device is constructed from two fused plastic portions—a flat base contacting the patient and a corrugated upper portion forming a recess to receive the tourniquet bladder lower end. The device's shape corresponds to pelvic anatomy to optimize pressure distribution, providing a practical, portable solution for emergency responders controlling internal hemorrhage.
Claims Coverage
The patent includes several independent claims covering both the compression device itself and methods of using it in combination with a pneumatic tourniquet, with main inventive features identified below.
Compression device shaped to match pelvic inferior angle
A compression device comprising a flat base portion and a corrugated upper portion with a centrally positioned recess to receive the inflatable bladder lower end of a pneumatic tourniquet, where the device includes a tapered end shaped to match the inferior angle formed by the anatomical pubic rami and pelvis.
Pair of ridges defining recess matching bladder shape
The device includes a pair of parallel ridges spanning the device, defining a recess that cooperatively fits the exterior surface of the lower end of the inflatable bladder to secure the bladder during pressure application.
Hollow space and fused margins enhancing device resilience
The base and corrugated upper portions define a hollow space forming the recess, with fused margins on opposite sides to form a unified, resilient device.
Uniform pressure distribution increasing intra-pelvic pressure
The device distributes the pressure exerted by the pneumatic tourniquet uniformly over the inguinal area, increasing intra-pelvic compartment pressure to a level effective to stop internal hemorrhaging.
Method for arresting inguinal hemorrhage using the device and tourniquet
A method comprising positioning the patient prone, placing the compression device with the tapered end aligned to the anatomical inferior angle of the pelvis, securing the pneumatic tourniquet over it, inflating the bladder into the device's recess to at least 250 mm Hg but not exceeding 300 mm Hg, maintaining pressure for at least 20 minutes, then transporting the patient to a medical facility.
The claims cover a specialized compression device with a tapered shape matching pelvic anatomy, a recess formed by ridges to receive the pneumatic tourniquet bladder, the structural features to unify and maintain shape, and methods of application to provide controlled, uniform pressure to increase intra-pelvic compartment pressure and address internal hemorrhaging.
Stated Advantages
Increases intra-pelvic compartment pressure uniformly to assist cessation of internal bleeding.
Provides supplemental occlusion effectiveness to pneumatic tourniquets, overcoming their limitations in targeting unidentified internal hemorrhages.
Its anatomical tapered shape conforms to patient pelvic structure, ensuring uniform pressure distribution.
Enables emergency responders to control internal abdominal bleeding before surgical treatment is available.
Portable and practical for field medical kits, aiding rapid deployment in trauma scenarios.
Documented Applications
Field treatment of severe blunt internal abdominal trauma including hemorrhages in the inguinal and pelvic regions.
Use in combination with pneumatic tourniquets for controlling hemorrhaging in emergency situations where surgical intervention is delayed or unavailable.
Control of post-partum hemorrhaging emergencies in female patients where surgical facilities are not immediately accessible.
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