Tourniquet and method thereof having compliance logging and alert features, and a system thereof

• US 10,136,903 B2
• Filed: 03/28/2016
• Issued: 11/27/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 03/28/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Patrick James Lynch
• Original Assignee: Patrick James Lynch
• Inventors: Lynch, Patrick James, Gililland, Trevor Alan, Gielen, James Ryan
• Primary Examiner(s): Dsouza, Adolf
• Application Number:
  US15/082,865
• Publication Number:
  US 20170273694A1
• Time in Patent Office: 974 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1327 Tensioning clamps
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1732 for bone breaking devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00115 with audible or visual output with imaging means A61B90/37, A61B34/20
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00221 with wireless transmission of data, e.g. by infrared radiation or radiowaves
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/065 for measuring contact or contact pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0808 for indicating correct assembly of components, e.g. of the surgical apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0811 for the position of a particular part of an instrument with respect to the rest of the instrument, e.g. position of the anvil of a stapling instrument
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/06 Measuring instruments not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/08 Accessories or related features not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/40 relating to mechanical, radiation or invasive therapies, e.g. surgery, laser therapy, dialysis or acupuncture
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/63 for local operation
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 for remote operation
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 70/20 relating to practices or guidelines
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 90/10 Information and communication technologies [ICT] supporting adaptation to climate change, e.g. for weather forecasting or climate simulation

Abstract

A tourniquet, a method, and a system that can secure logging of compliance with an external communication apparatus and marry two segregated steps of infusing and logging. The tourniquet has a controller that monitors compliance based on signals received from various switches/sensors that indicate whether a clasp has been inserted in the buckle and thereafter whether a strap is applying pressure, and the clasp has been released within a predetermined time after the clasp has been inserted. The controller initiates communication with the external communication apparatus. Upon receiving a log successful communication from the external communication apparatus, the controller alerts the user that the logging was successful or compliance has been met.

Claims

1. A tourniquet for blood constriction using a strap and a clasp connected to the strap, which is adjustably configured, and communicable with an external communication apparatus configured to transmit a logging confirmation signal to the tourniquet confirming a successful logging of compliance, the tourniquet comprising:

a controller;

an indicator connected to the controller;

a first sensor connected to the controller; and

a housing containing the controller and the first sensor,

wherein the housing includes a receptacle configured to receive the clasp,

wherein the first sensor is configured to output a first signal when the clasp is inserted into the receptacle, and

wherein the controller comprises;

a first communication interface configured to communicate with the external communication apparatus;

a memory; and

a processor configured to execute;

a first determining task that determines whether the clasp has been inserted in the receptacle based on whether the first signal is received;

a first communication task that controls the first communication interface to initiate communication with the external communication apparatus upon the first determining task determining that the clasp has been inserted; and

an alerting task that controls the indicator to alert a user confirming whether the compliance has been satisfied.

2. The tourniquet according to claim 1, further comprising:

a second sensor connected to the controller, and configured to output a second signal when the strap is tensioned relative to the buckle housing,

wherein the processor is further programmed to execute a second determining task that determines whether the strap is tensioned relative to the housing based on whether the second sensor outputs the second signal.

3. The tourniquet according to claim 2, wherein:

the first sensor is further configured to output a third signal that is different from the first signal when the clasp is not inserted in the receptacle, and

the first determining task determines that the clasp is removed from the receptacle when either the third signal is received from the first sensor or the first signal is not received from the first sensor, after the first determining task determined that the clasp has been inserted.

4. The tourniquet according to claim 3, wherein:

the processor is further configured to execute a third determining task that determines whether the compliance has been satisfied,

the third determining task determines that the compliance has been satisfied when the first determining task determines that the claps is removed within a first predetermined period after the first determining task has determined that the clasp has been inserted.

5. The tourniquet according to claim 4, wherein the alerting task controls the indicator to alert the user confirming that the compliance has been satisfied when the third determining task determines that the compliance has been satisfied.

6. The tourniquet according to claim 5, wherein the alerting task controls the indicator to alert the user that the compliance has not been satisfied when the third determining task determine that the compliance has not been satisfied within the first predetermined period after the first determining task has determined that the clasp has been inserted.

7. The tourniquet according to claim 4, wherein the processor is further configured to execute a second communication task that controls the first communication interface to transmit a successful compliance signal to the external communication apparatus upon the third determining task determining that the compliance has been satisfied.

8. The tourniquet according to claim 7, wherein the processor is further configured to execute a third communication task that receives a logging confirmation signal from the external communication apparatus after sending the successful compliance signal to the external communication apparatus.

9. The tourniquet according to claim 8, wherein the alerting task controls the indicator to alert the user confirming a successful compliance logging upon the third communication task receiving the logging confirmation signal from the external communication apparatus.

10. The tourniquet according to claim 1, wherein the first communication interface uses a wireless protocol to communicate with the external communication apparatus.

11. The tourniquet according to claim 10, further including a second communication interface that communicates with the external communication apparatus using a wired connection protocol.

12. The tourniquet according to claim 1, wherein the indicator comprises an LED or multiple LEDs having at least two different color scheme to indicate different statuses using different colors.

13. A method of determining whether a compliance has been satisfied using a tourniquet for blood constriction that uses a strap and a clasp connected to the strap, which is adjustably configured, and communicable with an external communication apparatus configured to transmit a logging confirmation signal to the tourniquet confirming a successful logging of compliance,

wherein the tourniquet comprises:

a controller;

an indicator connected to the controller;

a first sensor connected to the controller; and

a housing containing the controller and the first sensor,

wherein the housing has a receptacle configured to receive the clasp,

wherein the first sensor is configured to output a first signal when the clasp is inserted into the receptacle, and

wherein the controller comprises;

a first communication interface configured to communicate with the external communication apparatus, and connected to the processor;

a memory; and

a processor,

wherein the method is executable by the processor and comprises;

a first determining step of determining whether the clasp has been inserted in the receptacle based on whether the first signal is received;

a first communication step of controlling the first communication interface to initiate communication with the external communication apparatus upon the first determining step determining that the clasp has been inserted; and

an alerting step of controlling the indicator to alert a user confirming whether the compliance has been satisfied.

14. A system for communicating compliance comprising:

a tourniquet for blood constriction that uses a strap and a clasp connected to the strap, which is adjustable; and

an external communication apparatus,

wherein the tourniquet and the external communication apparatus are communicable with each other,

wherein the external communication apparatus is configured to transmit a logging confirmation signal to the tourniquet confirming a successful logging of compliance, and

wherein the tourniquet comprises;

a controller;

an indicator connected to the controller;

a first sensor connected to the controller; and

a housing containing the controller and the first sensor,

wherein the housing has a receptacle configured to receive the clasp,

wherein the first sensor is configured to output a first signal when the clasp is inserted into the receptacle, and

wherein the controller comprises;

a first communication interface configured to communicate with the external communication apparatus;

a memory; and

a processor configured to execute;

a first determining task that determines whether the clasp has been inserted in the receptacle based on whether the first signal is received;

a first communication task that controls the first communication interface to initiate communication with the external communication apparatus upon the first determining task determining that the clasp has been inserted; and

an alerting task that controls the indicator to alert a user confirming whether the compliance has been satisfied.

15. The system according to claim 14, wherein the external apparatus is communicable with at least one of an insurance provider, health insurance provider, or medicine provider via the Internet.