Wearable device for reducing blood loss
Inventors
Assignees
Publication Number
US-11051565-B2
Publication Date
2021-07-06
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; 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. [procedural detail omitted for safety]
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 specification states there is 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 especially desirable to have available a device that could be wearable and automatically (or manually) employed in a quick and straight forward manner to control bleeding, assist with CPR, stabilize all or part of the body, provide buoyancy, create a water tight seal, allow for oscillating and/or massaging pressure applications, communicate current health status information, and/or detect an impact.
Claims Coverage
One independent claim identified; main inventive features extracted from the claim language.
Array of impact detection sensors defining regions
One or more impact detection sensors capable of detecting an impact; an array defining at least first and second regions that are non-overlapping and configured to independently activate upon an impact thereto.
Multiple bladders with apertures and valves
Two or more bladders, each comprising a material allowing volumetric expansion and an aperture providing communication from an exterior of the bladder to an interior of the bladder, wherein at least a first said bladder is connected to a first valve and at least a second said bladder is connected to a second valve, and wherein at least the first bladder and at least the second bladder are partially overlapping upon inflation.
Inflation system connected by first tube network
An inflation system comprising an air pump or a cartridge comprising a gas or gas-generating agent, wherein the air pump or cartridge is connected to the two or more bladders by a first tube network of at least two tubes, with at least a first tube connected to the first valve and at least a second tube connected to the second valve.
Information processing unit independently connected to regions to open valves
An information processing unit independently connected to the first and second regions of the array of impact detection sensors and configured to transmit a signal that opens the first valve upon activation of the impact detection sensors of the first region and to open the second valve upon activation of the impact detection sensors of the second region, thereby causing inflation of the respective bladders by the cartridge.
Outer layer constraining outward expansion
An outer layer covering the front and back parts comprising a durable material that constrains outward expansion of the garment upon inflation of at least one of the two or more bladders.
Activation method to exert localized pressure to reduce hemorrhage
Activation of the array of impact detection sensors of the first and/or second regions by an impact, thereby inflating one or more bladders, wherein the bladders exert localized pressure at or near a site of the impact sufficient to reduce hemorrhaging caused by the impact.
The independent claim combines impact detection regions, multiple individually valved bladders supplied via a tube network from an inflation system, an information processing unit that independently opens valves based on regional sensor activation, and an outer layer that constrains expansion, together to inflate bladders that exert localized pressure to reduce hemorrhage.
Stated Advantages
Minimization or control of hemorrhage caused by impact with an object.
Stabilization of a patient for transport or when medical attention cannot be provided immediately.
Assistance in increasing perfusion pressure to the heart and brain in conditions such as hemorrhagic shock, cardiogenic shock, and cardiac arrest.
Provision of buoyancy and the ability to create a water tight seal (e.g., in immersion survival applications).
Capability to allow oscillating and/or massaging pressure applications.
Ability to communicate current health status information and to detect an impact, and to transmit status and/or identity information.
Wearable and capable of automatic or manual employment in a quick and straightforward manner during emergency situations.
Documented Applications
Wearable garments for humans, e.g., a vest, jacket, pants, or a full body suit, configured to control bleeding and stabilize a wearer.
Use with animals (e.g., a dog) in a vest configuration to increase chance of survival after tissue-damaging penetrations.
Wound dressing configured to be applied to a person with traumatic injury to the trunk to apply pressure and slow bleeding.
Device configured for use with inflatable objects (e.g., inflatable rafts) to deliver sealant and apply pressure to damaged segments.
Device configured for use with machines or vehicles (e.g., oil tanks, boats) to seal off penetrations and stabilize damaged parts.
Assistance during CPR by providing inflation-and-deflation cycles for chest compression or by augmenting chest compressions.
Use as a blood pressure monitor (blood pressure cuff configuration) incorporating bladders and sensors.
Use as a massaging device by repeated filling and deflating of bladders to provide localized pressure cycles.
Use as a breast pump configured with bladders and optional vacuum and an external container to collect breast milk.
Application to stabilize broken or fractured bones and to restrict movement of an injured mammal for transport.
Integration into immersion survival suits to provide buoyancy and to create seals around neck or extremities.
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