Tourniquet and method of use

• US 20050273134A1
• Filed: 06/06/2005
• Published: 12/08/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 06/08/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Phil Durango LLC
• Original Assignee: Phil Durango LLC
• Inventors: Esposito, Mark
• Granted Patent: US 7,842,067 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/203
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1322 comprising a flexible encircling member A61B17/135 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1327 Tensioning clamps

Abstract

A tourniquet for restricting a flow of blood in a body part is presented. In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, the tourniquet comprises a first elongated member, and a second elongated member in slidable engagement with the first elongated member. In addition, the tourniquet includes a tensioning mechanism connected to the second elongated member, wherein a compressive force is applied to the body part upon applying a tensile force to the second elongated member using the tensioning mechanism. The tourniquet is suited for emergency use, and may be applied by using only one hand. Thus, the tourniquet may be applied, manipulated and tightened by the wearer, even if the wearer is limited to the use of a single hand.

Claims

1. A tourniquet for restricting a flow of blood in a body part, the tourniquet comprising:

(a) a first elongated member including a buckle;

(b) a second elongated member slidably connected to the first elongated member;

(c) a tensioning mechanism connected to the second elongated member;

wherein a compressive force is applied to the body part upon applying a tensile force to the second elongated member using the tensioning mechanism, wherein the compressive force restricts the flow of blood in the body part.

2. The tourniquet as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tensioning mechanism comprises a windlass.

3. The tourniquet as claimed in claim 2, further comprising a securing mechanism interconnected to the first elongated member, wherein the securing mechanism is adapted for securing the tensioning mechanism after application of a tensile force to the second elongated member.

4. The tourniquet as claimed in claim 3, wherein the securing mechanism comprises at least one hooked catch.

5. The tourniquet as claimed in claim 3, wherein the securing mechanism comprises a securing strap oriented transversely to a longitudinal axis of the first elongated member.

6. The tourniquet as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tensioning mechanism comprises a ratchet.

7. The tourniquet as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second elongated member forms a loop running from a first end of the first elongated member to the buckle and back to the first end of the first elongated member.

8. The tourniquet as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second elongated member comprises at least a first portion extending from a first end of the first elongated member to the tensioning mechanism, and wherein the first portion does not extend back to the first end of the first elongated member.

9. The tourniquet as claimed in claim 8, wherein the second elongated member comprises a second portion extending from the tensioning mechanism to the buckle.

10. The tourniquet as claimed in claim 9, wherein the second portion of the second elongated member forms a loop between the buckle and the tensioning mechanism.

11. A tourniquet for restricting a flow of blood in a body part, the tourniquet comprising:

(a) means for circumferentially surrounding the body part;

(b) means for compressing the body part, the means for compressing slidably engaging the means for circumferentially surrounding;

(c) means for tensioning the means for compressing;

wherein applying a tensile force to the means for compressing using the means for tensioning applies a compressive force to the body part to restrict the flow of blood in the body part.

12. The tourniquet as claimed in claim 11, further comprising means for securing the means for tensioning.

13. The tourniquet as claimed in claim 11, wherein the means for circumferentially surrounding comprises a means for looping the means for circumferentially surrounding around the body part.

14. The tourniquet as claimed in claim 11, wherein the means for circumferentially surrounding comprises a means for fastening a portion of a first surface of the means for circumferentially surrounding to a second portion of the first surface of the means for circumferentially surrounding.

15. A tourniquet for restricting a flow of blood in a body part, the tourniquet comprising:

(a) an outer sleeve;

(b) an inner strap in slidable engagement with the outer sleeve; and

(c) a windlass connected to the inner strap;

wherein a compressive force is applied to the body part upon applying a tensile force to the inner strap using the windlass, wherein the compressive force restricts the flow of blood in the body part.

16. The tourniquet as claimed in claim 15, further comprising at least one hooked catch interconnected to the outer sleeve, wherein the hooked catch is adapted to secure the windlass.

17. The tourniquet as claimed in claim 15, further comprising a securing strap interconnected to the outer sleeve and oriented transversely to a longitudinal axis of the outer sleeve, wherein the securing strap is adapted to secure the windlass.

18. The tourniquet as claimed in claim 15, wherein the outer sleeve comprises an upper panel connected to a lower panel, wherein at least a portion of the upper panel comprises hook and loop fasteners.

19. The tourniquet as claimed in claim 18, wherein the hook and loop fasteners comprises a single component hook and loop fastener having hook and loop on a common surface.

20. The tourniquet as claimed in claim 15, wherein the inner strap forms a loop extending from a first end of the outer sleeve to at least the windlass and back to the first end of the outer sleeve.

21. The tourniquet as claimed in claim 20, wherein the inner strap extends from a first end of the outer sleeve to at least the windlass, but does not form a loop back to the first end of the outer sleeve.

22. A tourniquet for restricting a flow of blood in a body part, the tourniquet comprising:

(a) a first elongated member comprising;

(i) a surface comprising both hook and loop structures;

(ii) a first end for looping through a second end comprising a buckle;

(iii) a pocket;

(b) a second elongated member positioned in the pocket, wherein a portion of the second elongated member is connected to the first end of the first elongated member;

(c) a windlass engaging the second elongated member, wherein the windlass is rotated to provide a tensile force in the second elongated member, wherein a compressive force is applied to the body part restricting the flow of blood in the body part; and

(d) at least one hooked catch or a securing strap interconnected to the first elongated member for engaging a portion of the windlass and preventing a return rotation of the windlass after applying the tensile force.

23. A method of restricting a flow of blood to a body part, the method comprising:

(a) wrapping a first elongated member around the body part and looping a first portion of the first elongated member through a buckle connected to the first elongated member;

(b) detachably attaching the first portion of the elongated member to a second portion of the elongated member;

(c) operating a tensioning mechanism operatively connected to a second elongated member slidably positioned relative to the first elongated member, wherein the tensioning mechanism develops a tensile force in the second elongated member,

wherein a compressive force is applied to the body part restricting the flow of blood in the body part.

24. The method as claimed in claim 23, further comprising securing the tensioning mechanism using at least one of a hooked catch and a securing strap.

25. A method of restricting a flow of blood to a body part, the method comprising:

(a) placing a first elongated member for contacting the body part around the body part, and positioning at least a portion of the first elongated member through a restraining mechanism connected to the first elongated member; and

(b) operating a tensioning mechanism operatively connected to a second elongated member, the second elongated member not contacting the body part, the second elongated member slidably engaging the first elongated member, wherein the tensioning mechanism develops a tensile force in at least a portion of the second elongated member,

wherein a compressive force is applied to the body part restricting the flow of blood in the body part.

26. The method as claimed in claim 25, further comprising securing the tensioning mechanism using at least one of a hooked catch and a securing strap.