Tourniquet timer

• US 8,147,417 B2
• Filed: 01/23/2008
• Issued: 04/03/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 01/23/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: OHK Medical Devices Ltd.
• Original Assignee: OHK Medical Devices Ltd.
• Inventors: Gavriely, Noam
• Primary Examiner(s): Marmor, II, Charles A
• Assistant Examiner(s): Dorna, Carrie R
• Application Number:
  US12/010,297
• Publication Number:
  US 20080177159A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,532 Days
• Field of Search: 600/481, 600483-485, 600490-503, 606201-203
• US Class Current: 600/499
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1325 with means for applying local pressure pressure pads A61F5/30
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1355 Automated control means therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00119 alarm; indicating an abnormal situation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00132 Setting operation time of a device A61B2017/00123 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00199 with a console, e.g. a control panel with a display
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00221 with wireless transmission of data, e.g. by infrared radiation or radiowaves
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0002 Remote monitoring of patients using telemetry, e.g. transmission of vital signals via a communication network A61B5/07 takes precedence; transmission systems for measured values G08C; transmission H04B; transmission of digital information H04L; wireless communication networks H04W
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/06 Measuring instruments not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/92 coded with colour

Abstract

A timer for tourniquet, adapted for application in a surgery, emergency or military situations to stop arterial blood loss in an injured limb, which is optionally activated by use of the tourniquet and/or optionally provided in association with a monitor for a plurality of tourniquets.

Claims

1. A method of using a tourniquet comprising:

a) attaching a tourniquet around a limb so as to block blood flow therein, said tourniquet comprising;

a) a pressure applicator adapted to be mounted on a limb so as to block arterial flow therein, wherein said pressure applicator is a mechanically activated trigger (MAT) comprising a tensile force sensitive element and a switch, wherein said switch is opened or closed based on said tensile force sensitive element, and a transmitter which transmits a signal responsive to activation of said pressure applicator in response to closure of said switch; and

b) a timer configured to generate two warnings at two different times, including before a tourniquet danger time is reached, wherein said timer is initiated by said signal transmitted by said transmitter in response to closure of said switch;

b) at least determining a start time for said attaching according to transmission of said signal from said transmitter;

c) automatically generating a first warning before a danger time is reached as calculated by said timer; and

d) automatically generating a second warning when a danger time is reached as calculated by said timer, based on said start time.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein said first warning is generated based on an estimation of a patient condition.

3. A method of claim 2, wherein generating comprises using current patient information patient information.

4. A method of claim 3, wherein the patient information, includes one or more of patient age, instantaneous blood flow and blood pressure.

5. A method of claim 1, wherein estimating a start time for said attached tourniquet, comprises automatically detecting a signal indicating a tourniquet activation on a limb.

6. A method of claim 5, wherein said estimating comprises receiving a user input.

7. A method of claim 1, comprising opening and then re-closing tourniquet in response to the first warning.

8. A method of claim 1, comprising deactivating the tourniquet in response to the second warning.

9. A method of claim 1, wherein generating the first and the second warning comprises one or more of an audio, a visual and a speech alert.

10. A method of claim 9, wherein generating comprises transmitting a wireless signal to remotely generate an alert.

11. A method of claim 1, comprising simultaneously monitoring a plurality of warning signals from a plurality of tourniquets using a central controller.

12. A tourniquet, comprising:

a) a pressure applicator adapted to be mounted on a limb so as to block arterial flow therein, wherein said pressure applicator is a mechanically activated trigger (MAT) comprising a tensile force sensitive element and a switch, wherein said switch is opened or closed based on said tensile force sensitive element, and a transmitter which transmits a signal responsive to activation of said pressure applicator in response to closure of said switch; and

b) a timer configured to generate two warnings at two different times, including before a tourniquet danger time is reached, wherein said timer is initiated by said signal transmitted by said transmitter in response to closure of said switch.

13. The tourniquet of claim 12, comprising an alert generator.

14. The tourniquet of claim 12, wherein said timer is integral to said tourniquet.

15. The tourniquet of claim 12, wherein said timer is separate from said tourniquet.

16. The tourniquet of claim 12, comprising a packaging configured to start said timer when opened.

17. A tourniquet according to claim 12, wherein said timer is sterilizable.

18. The tourniquet of claim 12, wherein said timer further comprises circuitry configured to calculate a danger time of said tourniquet based on a condition of a patient.

19. A tourniquet system with wireless central monitoring for one or more tourniquets, comprising:

(i) at least one tourniquet comprising;

a) a pressure applicator adapted to be mounted on a limb so as to block arterial flow therein, wherein said pressure applicator is a mechanically activated trigger (MAT) comprising a tensile force sensitive element and a switch, wherein said switch is opened or closed based on said tensile force sensitive element, and a wireless transmitter which transmits a signal responsive to activation of said pressure applicator in response to closure of said switch; and

b) a timer configured to generate two warnings at two different times, including before a tourniquet danger time is reached, wherein said timer is initiated by said signal transmitted by said transmitter in response to closure of said switch; and

(ii) a remote controller with a receiver configured to receive said signal from said transmitter and a display configured to display a signal detectable by a user, responsive to said signal.

20. A system of claim 19, wherein said detectable signal comprises a warning of an elapsing of a time for using said tourniquet.

21. A system of claim 19, comprising a controller configured to release said tourniquet.

22. A system of claim 19, comprising circuitry configured to calculate a danger time of said tourniquet based on a condition of a patient.

23. A system of claim 19, wherein said remote controller is portable.

24. A system of claim 19, wherein said remote controller is configured for manually receiving information regarding an activation of at least one tourniquet.

25. A system of claim 19, comprising circuitry for registering a plurality of tourniquets.

26. A tourniquet, comprising:

a) a pressure applicator adapted to be mounted on a limb so as to block arterial flow therein, wherein said pressure applicator is a mechanically activated trigger (MAT) comprising a mechanical stretching sensitive element or a deformation bending sensitive element, a switch, wherein said switch is opened or closed based on said mechanical stretching sensitive element or said deformation bending sensitive element, and a transmitter which transmits a signal responsive to activation of said pressure applicator in response to closure of said switch; and

b) a timer configured to generate two warnings at two different times, including before a tourniquet danger time is reached, wherein said timer is initiated by said signal transmitted by said transmitter in response to closure of said switch.