Adaptable partial circumferential tourniquet
Inventors
Assignees
Publication Number
US-12295588-B1
Publication Date
2025-05-13
Expiration Date
2043-02-10
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Abstract
An adaptable partial circumferential tourniquet is disclosed that allows for broad application to hemorrhage sites on a human patient. The tourniquet includes a baseplate having an adaptable size with a pair of depending arms that extend lateral from each side of the baseplate. A cable and ratchet arrangement allow for the extension of the depending arms to form a semi-circumferential enclosure around a tourniquet site with the ability to cinch or constrict around the tourniquet site. A V-shaped bladder with integrated side portions expands once the tourniquet is arranged on a patient to apply pressure to tissue resulting in vasculature occlusion. Due to the unfolding segmented nature of the depending arms, the tourniquet has broad application to different body tissue sites. The based plate also includes ports, slots, and openings to allow for other medical procedures to proceed even after tightened positioning and inflation of the tourniquet.
Core Innovation
The invention discloses an adaptable partial circumferential tourniquet designed for broad application to hemorrhage sites on a human patient. It consists of a baseplate with an adaptable size and a pair of depending arms that extend laterally from each side of the baseplate. The arms include segmented plates that are expandable from a nested folded state to a partially circumferential semi-circular configuration around a target treatment area. A cable and ratchet mechanism integrated into the baseplate controls the inward constriction of these segmented arms, allowing the tourniquet to be cinched around the targeted patient site.
The tourniquet is equipped with a V-shaped airtight bladder that extends downward from the baseplate and includes integral side bladder portions running underneath each segmented arm. Upon inflation, the bladder applies focused pressure with its lower edge to occlude vasculature at the targeted hemorrhage site. The articulation and overlapping nature of the segmented arms, combined with the expandable baseplate and the cable-controlled constriction mechanism, provide adaptability to different body tissue sites and patient sizes. The baseplate also includes ports, slots, and openings to allow for concurrent medical procedures even after the tourniquet is tightened and the bladder is inflated.
Claims Coverage
The patent includes multiple independent claims covering the structural and functional aspects of the adaptable partial circumferential tourniquet and methods of its application. The inventive features are focused on the mechanical configuration, bladder design, cable system, adjustability, and method of use for achieving hemorrhage control.
Segmented arms with cable wire system for controlled compression
The tourniquet includes a baseplate with a pair of segmented downward depending arms and an integrated cable wire system controlled from a central spool within the baseplate. Retraction of the cable causes the segmented arms to compress inward toward a central point below the baseplate to conform around and apply constrictive force to a targeted human body portion.
Expandable and articulating segmented arm structure
Each downward depending arm comprises a plurality of plate segments connected in linear succession forming a segmented whole. The segments are slidably connected to allow nested folding for storage and unfolding into a semi-circular arcuate shape for deployment. The arms can rotate inward when the cables are tensioned, providing mechanical leverage for compression.
Adjustable baseplate with extendable side plate portions
The baseplate comprises a pair of extendable side plate portions biased together by upper and lower plate portions. These extendable plates can move from an enclosed position within the baseplate to outward extended positions to accommodate varying treatment scenarios from small extremities to torso applications, supporting the segmented arms at their distal ends.
V-shaped bladder with integrated side portions for focused occlusion
The tourniquet includes an airtight bladder with a central wedge-shaped portion depending downward from the baseplate to focus pressure on the targeted patient site. The bladder further includes integral elongated side portions that run along the underside of each segmented arm. Inflation of this bladder applies directed constrictive force to occlude blood flow.
Cable routing within plate segments via guides or tunnels
The cable wire system routes cables along or within each segmented arm. In one embodiment, cables run along the underside of each plate segment and are guided by spaced guides. In another embodiment, cables run through internal tunnels extending from proximal to distal ends within each segment. Both configurations secure cables to segments and connect to the central spool for simultaneous retraction.
Method of use involving unfolding, positioning, cable retraction, and bladder inflation
The patent claims a method comprising unfolding nested plate segments forming the depending arms, positioning the expanded arms and baseplate around a hemorrhage site, retracting the cable to compress the arms around the site, inflating the affixed bladder to compress the targeted area, and continuing inflation until blood vessel occlusion is achieved.
These inventive features collectively describe a mechanically and pneumatically controlled partial circumferential tourniquet with adaptively extendable segmented arms and a focused inflatable bladder, enabling targeted occlusion of hemorrhage sites ranging from extremities to torso, permitting concurrent medical procedures and potential remote operation.
Stated Advantages
Provides broad applicability to different hemorrhage situations including extremities, junctional areas, and torso due to adaptable segmented arms and expandable baseplate.
Allows focused compression force via a V-shaped bladder to occlude major arteries effectively, overcoming limitations of prior art broad circumferential pressure.
Stable baseplate design enables other medical interventions such as ultrasound-guided vascular access and percutaneous procedures concurrently while the tourniquet is in place.
Configurability and mechanical design reduce the requirement of extensive training or skill to apply the device effectively under field conditions.
Enables potential for remote operation or robotic control through integration of servo-initiated actuators and sensors, facilitating use by medical and non-medical personnel.
Documented Applications
Hemorrhage control for extremities including upper and lower arms and legs.
Hemorrhage control in junctional areas of the body such as axilla and groin.
Hemorrhage control of the torso, including occlusion of major arteries such as the abdominal descending aorta.
Stable platform for other medical interventions including ultrasound imaging, vascular access, pneumothorax management, and percutaneous resuscitative therapies.
Use in emergency and battlefield environments where rapid application and remote/robotic control capabilities are needed for trauma patients.
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