Inflatable tourniquet to aid in establishing intravenous access and method thereof

• US 20070060949A1
• Filed: 09/09/2005
• Published: 03/15/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 09/09/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Ammie Curry, Steven Curry
• Original Assignee: Ammie Curry, Steven Curry
• Inventors: Curry, Steven, Curry, Ammie
• Application Number:
  US11/222,536
• Publication Number:
  US 20070060949A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/201
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/135 inflatable for measuring blood pressure A61B5/022; inflatable pressure pads A61F5/34

Abstract

A device to aid in establishing intravenous access by means of a sequential trapping and displacing of the venous blood in a top to bottom action down an extremity, resulting in a localized increase in the diameter of the veins, due to increased, trapped blood volume. The resulting distention of the vessels produces a stabilizing effect, thereby decreasing vascular mobility and rolling. The combination of vessel distention and stabilization greatly facilitates the obtaining of a patent I.V. The sequential trapping and milking of venous blood toward the extremity is accomplished via a specialized inflatable bladder.

Claims

1. An inflatable tourniquet to aid in establishing intravenous access comprising:

An elastomeric bladder comprising an opening within said elastomeric bladder for inflation and deflation of said elastomeric bladder and wherein said elastomeric bladder contains a plurality of air flow chambers;

A plurality of air flow restriction devices between said air flow chambers;

A means of inflating said elastomeric bladder; and

A means for securing said elastomeric bladder to a patient'"'"'s limb.

2. The inflatable tourniquet to aid in establishing intravenous access of claim 1 wherein said plurality of air flow chambers are positioned sequentially within said elastomeric bladder.

3. The inflatable tourniquet to aid in establishing intravenous access of claim 1 wherein said plurality of air flow chambers are separate and individual and positioned parallel within said elastomeric bladder.

4. The inflatable tourniquet to aid in establishing intravenous access of claim 1 wherein said inflatable tourniquet further comprises a plurality of exhaust valves between said air flow chambers.

5. The inflatable tourniquet to aid in establishing intravenous access of claim 1 wherein said elastomeric bladder further comprises a protective cover positioned around said elastomeric bladder.

6. The inflatable tourniquet to aid in establishing intravenous access of claim 2 wherein said elastomeric bladder further comprises a protective cover positioned around said elastomeric bladder.

7. The inflatable tourniquet to aid in establishing intravenous access of claim 3 wherein said elastomeric bladder further comprises a protective cover positioned around said elastomeric bladder.

8. A method of establishing IV access in a patient comprised of the trapping and displacement of venous blood in a limb wherein said trapping a displacement of venous blood is further comprised of:

Attaching an inflatable tourniquet;

Inflating said inflatable tourniquet sequentially; and

Inserting an IV.

9. The method of establishing IV access in a patient of claim 8 further comprising the removal of said inflatable tourniquet after said inserting of an IV.

10. The method of establishing IV access in a patient of claim 8 wherein said inflatable tourniquet further comprises:

An elastomeric bladder comprising an opening within said elastomeric bladder for inflation and deflation of said elastomeric bladder and wherein said elastomeric bladder contains a plurality of air flaw chambers;

A plurality of air flow restriction devices between said air flow chambers;

A means of inflating said elastomeric bladder; and

A means for securing said elastomeric bladder to a patient'"'"'s limb.

11. The method of establishing IV access in a patient of claim 8 wherein said plurality of air flow chambers are positioned sequentially within said elastomeric bladder.

12. The method of establishing IV access in a patient of claim 8 wherein said elastomeric bladder further comprises a protective cover positioned around said elastomeric bladder.

13. An elastomeric bladder comprising:

An opening for inflation and deflation of said elastomeric bladder;

A plurality of air flow chambers;

A plurality of air flow restriction devices between said air flow chambers;

A means for securing said elastomeric bladder to a patient'"'"'s limb; and

A means for inflating said elastomeric bladder.

14. The elastomeric bladder of claim 13 wherein said plurality of air flow chambers are positioned sequentially within said elastomeric bladder.

15. The elastomeric bladder of claim 13 wherein said plurality of air flow chambers are separate and individual and positioned parallel within said elastomeric bladder.

16. The elastomeric bladder of claim 13 wherein said elastomeric bladder further comprises a plurality of exhaust valves between said air flow chambers.

17. The elastomeric bladder of claim 13 wherein said elastomeric bladder further comprises a protective cover positioned around said elastomeric bladder.

18. The elastomeric bladder of claim 14 wherein said elastomeric bladder further comprises a protective cover positioned around said elastomeric bladder.

19. The elastomeric bladder of claim 15 wherein said elastomeric bladder further comprises a protective cover positioned around said elastomeric bladder.