Self-stabilizing portable pneumatic abdominal aortic tourniquet with ratcheting tensioner
Inventors
Schwartz, Richard • Croushorn, John M
Assignees
Publication Number
US-10751067-B2
Publication Date
2020-08-25
Expiration Date
2038-12-09
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Abstract
A self-stabilizing pneumatic abdominal aortic tourniquet that utilizes a semi-ridge retaining strap, a ratcheting retaining buckle, and an elastic guide cord on the lower penetrating end of a wedge-shaped bladder. A rigid baseplate is supported by a waist belt having a width identical with the waist belt so that the baseplate provides a stable base for positioning the bladder over a selected area of the patient's abdomen. The air bladder is affixed to the underside of the baseplate, which is initially kept in a deflated condition collapsed against the baseplate, and includes an elastic cord, such as a shock cord, configured to bias the tip of the wedge or “V” shaped bladder in the middle of the baseplate. An air source connected to the air bladder causes inflation and penetration of the lower edge of the bladder into the patient's abdomen thereby causing aorta occlusion.
Core Innovation
The invention is a self-stabilizing pneumatic abdominal aortic tourniquet designed to apply a focused compression force over a selected area of a patient's abdomen to occlude the descending aorta. It utilizes a semi-rigid waist belt, a ratcheting retaining buckle, and an elastic guide cord on the lower penetrating edge of a wedge-shaped bladder. A rigid baseplate, having a width substantially equal to the waist belt, provides a stable platform for positioning the bladder and preventing pivotal movement during inflation. The air bladder is affixed to the underside of the baseplate in a deflated condition and is inflated using an integrated air source, causing penetration of the bladder’s lower edge into the patient's abdomen to achieve aorta occlusion.
The problem addressed by the invention is the difficulty in applying a focused, strong constricting force to the abdominal descending aorta to stop arterial hemorrhage from major blood vessels below the inguinal area. Existing limb tourniquets apply pressure broadly, which is ineffective for occluding the deep abdominal aorta. Prior art tourniquets do not provide a self-stabilizing, directed compression force to reliably occlude the aorta under field conditions, often requiring skill and adjustment for successful use. The invention solves this by providing a self-stabilizing platform combined with a wedge-shaped air bladder and elastic guide cord arrangement to ensure reliable, rapid, and skill-independent aortic occlusion.
Claims Coverage
The patent includes several independent claims detailing the structural components, method of use, and manufacturing aspects of the self-stabilizing pneumatic abdominal aortic tourniquet. The inventive features focus on the tourniquet's unique combination of a semi-rigid waist belt, a rigid baseplate, a wedge-shaped inflatable bladder with an elastic retention means, and a ratcheting buckle system.
Self-stabilizing abdominal tourniquet structure
The tourniquet comprises a semi-rigid waist belt with a middle section and two ends, a rigid rectangular baseplate affixed to the underside of the waist belt’s middle section aligned with the belt centerline, and an elongated V-shaped air bladder affixed to the baseplate underside with a narrow converging end that is parallel to the belt centerline.
Elastic retention means holding bladder tip alignment
An elastic retention means, such as an elastic cord, connects the baseplate to the narrow converging end of the air bladder, maintaining the narrow end in parallel relation to the waist belt centerline during inflation from deflated to inflated conditions.
Ratcheting buckle with geared waist strap
A ratcheting buckle affixed to the waist belt is configured to engage a geared or toothed end of the waist strap to allow adjustable tightening of the belt around the patient's abdomen, securing the tourniquet with controlled tension.
Method for self-stabilizing application and inflation
The method includes positioning the tourniquet over the abdomen, threading and tightening the toothed strap through the ratcheting buckle, inflating the bladder causing the narrow edge to apply focused constricting pressure over the aorta, and selectively actuating the buckle for further tightening, resulting in aorta occlusion.
Bladder manufactured from a single unitary piece of air-impervious material
The bladder is formed from a single piece of material cut and folded with specific fold lines and sealed edges to form a rectangular base, side panels, and end panels that create the V-shaped bladder, including a stitched hem forming a passageway for the elastic retention means.
Monitoring and regulating air pressure in the bladder
An air pressure regulator or monometer is connected to the air source and bladder, allowing monitoring of internal bladder pressure and selectively releasing air to maintain safe pressure levels during operation.
The claims cover the unique combination of the semi-rigid waist belt with a rigid baseplate, the specifically shaped inflatable bladder with elastic retention, the ratcheting buckle system with geared strap, methods for applying and inflating the device to achieve reliable aortic occlusion, and manufacturing techniques for the bladder made from a unitary piece of material.
Stated Advantages
Provides a stable, self-stabilizing platform to prevent pivotal movement of the bladder during use, ensuring reliable pressure application.
Allows rapid application and adjustment of the tourniquet under field conditions without requiring extensive training or skill.
Delivers a focused constricting force specifically designed to occlude the deep abdominal descending aorta effectively.
Includes an integrated air source and pressure monitoring for controlled inflation and pressure regulation to prevent tissue damage.
Documented Applications
Use in field trauma situations to rapidly occlude the descending abdominal aorta to control non-compressible arterial hemorrhage.
Application to the abdomen over the aorta proximal to its bifurcation to restrict blood flow and achieve hemostasis in downstream hemorrhage locations.
Potential use in occluding axial blood vessels leading to the arms or neck, or in the inguinal area, thigh, leg, or arm portions to control hemorrhage in those areas.
Therapeutic use to restrict blood flow during medical procedures, including reducing blood flow to lower extremities or elevating blood pressure to enhance CPR.
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