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-11324516-B2
Publication Date
2022-05-10
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
Embodiments of the present invention provide a pneumatic tourniquet apparatus and related methods of use that are easy to apply, ensure consistent and even circumferential pressure, and are lightweight for standard life-saving operation in any setting or situation. The apparatus comprises an elongated bladder designed to wrap around most human limbs, a reservoir chassis to hold and protect the bladder, a retaining cover attached to the reservoir chassis, a receiver connected near where the retaining cover attaches to the reservoir chassis, and a slider that can slide along the retaining cover and engage with the receiver as a friction buckle.
The pneumatic tourniquet forms a continuous loop around an extremity to create circumferential pressure that restricts blood flow. This is achieved by joining the slider and the receiver, adjusting the retaining cover to reduce circumference, and pumping air into the bladder. The design includes features to prevent slippage and pressure reduction, such as dual hook and loop fasteners on the reservoir chassis and retaining cover, and a uniquely shaped slider and receiver configuration that allows quick application without the need for fine motor skills.
The invention addresses the problem of existing tourniquets being prone to failure, ineffective for lower extremities, cumbersome to use under duress, and often limited to hospital environments due to design and cost constraints. It provides a ruggedized, pre-fabricated pneumatic tourniquet that can be operated one-handed without fine motor skills, suitable for military, civilian emergency, and recreational use. Its construction ensures consistent application of pressure sufficient to restrict blood flow while avoiding neurovascular damage from over-tightening.
Claims Coverage
The patent discloses two main independent methods of making a pneumatic tourniquet apparatus, each highlighting specific structural and functional inventive features.
Method of making a tourniquet with an elongated bladder and dual-loop structure
- Sealing an elongated bladder movable between inflated and deflated configurations corresponding to constricted and unconstricted tourniquet states. - Inserting the bladder into an elongated reservoir chassis with a main section enveloping the bladder to form a first loop when wrapped around a limb. - Attaching a retaining cover to the proximal end of the reservoir chassis main section, operable to cover and protect the chassis and form a second loop. - Connecting a receiver near the proximal end of the retaining cover to either the reservoir chassis or retaining cover. - Connecting a slider to the retaining cover, allowing positioning at any point along it, with the receiver and slider sized and shaped to lock the slider temporarily as a friction buckle when engaged.
Slider configuration with round and square side bars with grippers
- The slider includes a round side bar and a square side bar fitted with multiple grippers, facilitating friction and locking engagement with the receiver to prevent slippage.
Receiver with hook-shaped catch and lip for locking slider
- The receiver includes a hook-shaped catch sized and shaped to securely receive the slider. - A narrower lip portion facilitates ease of slider placement and locks the hook-shaped catch and slider into place.
Reservoir chassis with dual hook and loop fasteners creating first loop
- The inner surface of the reservoir chassis is configured to secure to its outer surface via hook and loop fasteners, creating the initial loop around the limb.
Retaining cover creating a continuous loop preventing slippage and pressure loss
- The retaining cover creates a continuous loop around the limb, preventing slippage of the connection between the inner and outer surfaces of the reservoir chassis, thus maintaining pressure stability.
Reservoir chassis and retaining cover include dual hook and loop fasteners for self-attachment
- At least one of the reservoir chassis or retaining cover includes dual hook and loop fasteners allowing the component to attach to itself for secure fastening.
Method of making a tourniquet with reservoir chassis having main and extension sections
- Placing a bladder into a reservoir chassis with a main section and an extension section extending from the proximal end. - The extension section selectively couples with the outer surface of the main section to secure the tourniquet in an engaged first loop. - Attaching a retaining cover adjacent to the connection point between the main section and extension section, forming a second loop when wrapped. - Attaching a receiver adjacent to where the retaining cover attaches to the reservoir chassis. - Attaching a slider to the retaining cover allowing positioning at multiple locations, engaging with the receiver to lock the tourniquet in a secured configuration.
The claimed invention covers methods of fabricating a pneumatic tourniquet featuring an elongated bladder enclosed in a dual-loop system comprising a reservoir chassis and a retaining cover, secured by a receiver and slider friction buckle system. The construction and features ensure secure, adjustable, and reliable application of circumferential pressure to restrict blood flow, with materials and fastening mechanisms designed for durability, ease of use, and prevention of slippage or pressure loss.
Stated Advantages
The tourniquet is easy to apply and ensures consistent and even circumferential pressure.
It is lightweight and provides standard life-saving operation in any setting or situation.
It can be operated with one hand without requiring fine motor skills, suitable for use under duress.
The design prevents slippage and pressure reduction via dual hook and loop fasteners and a friction buckle mechanism.
The bladder holds sufficient pressure (at least 450 mmHg) to effectively stop blood flow and hemorrhage.
Documented Applications
Emergency use for restricting blood flow in upper and lower extremities during extreme hemorrhage or exsanguination.
Military and tactical combat casualty care for temporary control of life-threatening extremity hemorrhage following CoTCCC guidelines.
Civilian emergency medical services for pre-hospital care of trauma casualties.
Recreational activities in remote settings such as camping, rock climbing, hiking, and boating where severe injury may require emergency bleeding control.
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