Wearable device for reducing fluid loss
Inventors
Assignees
Publication Number
US-10874152-B2
Publication Date
2020-12-29
Expiration Date
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Abstract
The invention features methods and devices for controlling bleeding from blood vessels that may be damaged as a result of trauma or impact with an object, such as a bullet or shrapnel. The device may be wearable by a user and include one or more components, such as wound sealant and multiple inflatable balloons/bladders. The device may be integrated into a garment, e.g., a vest, jacket, trousers, or full body suit. Once triggered (automatically or manually), the device may be used to deliver wound sealant to a wound site and/or pressure to the wound site by selective inflation of one or more balloons over exsanguinating blood vessels that may be damaged, thereby stopping or minimizing the bleeding. Alternatively, or in addition, the device may be used to stabilize a wounded wearer for, e.g., transportation purposes, or to provide buoyancy. Devices of the invention may also be used as a blood pressure monitor, as a massaging device, and as a breast pump. Devices and methods of the invention may also be used for repairing or stabilizing machines, such as vehicles (e.g., automobiles and boats).
Core Innovation
The invention features methods and devices for controlling bleeding from blood vessels that may be damaged as a result of trauma or impact with an object. The device may be wearable by a user and include one or more components, such as wound sealant and multiple inflatable balloons/bladders, and may be integrated into a garment, e.g., a vest, jacket, trousers, or full body suit. Once triggered (automatically or manually), the device may be used to deliver wound sealant to a wound site and/or pressure to the wound site by selective inflation of one or more balloons over exsanguinating blood vessels, thereby stopping or minimizing the bleeding.
The background identifies that hemorrhage from vascular injuries in the proximal extremities, pelvis, and abdomen is extremely difficult to treat, and that a subset of lower extremity wounds in the region of the groin cannot be treated with traditional tourniquets. The patent states that wounds to the groin, pelvis, and abdomen are complex and may involve major vascular structures and that application of direct manual pressure will usually not suffice, especially when rapid manual transport must take place. It further notes an ongoing need to provide adjunct therapies and devices that can aid in the control or maintenance of blood flow, or to prevent blood loss, during emergency situations and that it would be of great benefit to have a device that could be wearable and automatically or manually employed in a quick and straightforward manner.
Claims Coverage
The independent claim defines five main inventive features related to a wearable garment impact detection device and its pressure/sealant inflation system.
Impact detection sensor array with independently activating regions
A first layer comprising an array of impact detection sensors defining at least first and second non-overlapping regions that are configured to independently activate upon an impact thereto.
Layer of individually valved, volumetrically expandable bladders
A second layer adjacent to the first layer comprising two or more bladders, each comprising material allowing volumetric expansion and an aperture communicating interior to exterior, wherein at least a first bladder is connected to a first valve and at least a second bladder is connected to a second valve, the first and second valves individually controlling gas flow and at least the first and second bladders being partially overlapping upon inflation.
Cartridge-based inflation system with first tube network
An inflation system comprising a cartridge comprising a gas or gas-generating agent connected to the two or more bladders by a first tube network of at least two tubes, wherein at least a first tube is connected to the first valve and at least a second tube is connected to the second valve.
Information processing unit independently linked to sensor regions to open valves
An information processing unit independently connected to the first and second regions of the sensor array, wherein activation of sensors of the first region transmits a signal to the IPU that opens the first valve causing inflation of at least the first bladder by the cartridge, and activation of the second region transmits a signal to the IPU that opens the second valve causing inflation of at least the second bladder by the cartridge.
Durable outer layer constraining expansion to exert localized pressure
An outer layer covering front and back comprising a durable material that constrains outward expansion when worn so that upon inflation at least one bladder expands to a volume effective to exert localized pressure at or near the site of impact in a direction opposite the outer layer, thereby reducing hemorrhage.
Claim 1 covers a wearable garment combining (1) a segmented impact detection sensor array, (2) a layered bladder system with individually valved, overlapping bladders, (3) a cartridge-driven inflation network, (4) an IPU that maps sensor regions to valve activation, and (5) an outer layer that constrains expansion to apply localized pressure to reduce hemorrhage.
Stated Advantages
Control bleeding or minimize hemorrhage from damaged blood vessels.
Assist with cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and assist in increasing perfusion pressure to the heart and brain.
Stabilize all or part of the body (e.g., for transport or when medical attention is delayed).
Provide buoyancy and create a watertight seal (e.g., in diving or immersion survival suits).
Allow for oscillating and/or massaging pressure applications.
Communicate current health status information and detect an impact (including transmission of status/location information).
Repair or stabilize machines by sealing or applying pressure to damaged areas (e.g., vehicles, boats, oil tanks).
Documented Applications
Wearable garment integrated into clothing (e.g., vest, jacket, pants, full body suit) for controlling bleeding from penetrative trauma and stabilizing a human or dog.
Delivery of wound sealant to a wound site via a sealant system integrated into the garment to seal penetrations.
Inflatable bladder network to apply localized pressure to minimize hemorrhage, act as a tourniquet substitute, stabilize fractures, or restrict movement for transport.
Use in diving or immersion survival suits to provide buoyancy and create water tight seals around the neck or extremities.
Use with inflatable objects (e.g., inflatable rafts) where an impact detection layer, sealant layer, and pressurizing bladders seal and stabilize damage.
Use with machines and structures (e.g., oil tanks, boats, vehicles) to seal penetrations and apply pressure to damaged sites.
Configuration as a wound dressing capable of applying pressure to an injury to slow bleeding and stabilize a patient during transport.
Use as a breast pump incorporating bladders that inflate and provide massage and mild suction for extracting breast milk.
Use as a blood pressure monitor/cuff with bladders that inflate and deflate to determine blood pressure and transmit readings to a visual readout.
Use as a massaging device or oscillating compression garment for therapeutic massage or DVT prevention by repeated filling and deflating of bladders.
Use for assisting CPR by automated inflation-and-deflation cycles to provide chest compressions and by transmitting emergency signals and location data.
Application for animals (e.g., canine vests) to increase survival after penetrative trauma.
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