First-Aid Treatment Kit And Resupply System

Abstract

A first-aid treatment and resupply system comprising: a resupply bag having a plurality of resupply bag system connectors; a plurality of resupply containers removably attached to the interior of the resupply bag; a personal bag having a plurality of personal bag system connectors wherein the personal bag removably attached to the resupply bag using the resupply bag connectors and the personal bag connectors; a plurality of personal containers removably attached to the interior of the personal bag; a drop-down mount removably attached to the personal bag and having a leg strap attached to the drop-down mount; and an immediate response bag removably attached to the drop-down mount so that the resupply bag, personal bag, drop-down mount and immediate response are all attached as a system for transportation and are disconnected for deployment and use by responding personnel.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention is directed to a first-aid treatment kit and resupply system and more particularly, to a field first-aid treatment kit and resupply system for treating and resupplying medical personnel in the field and transporting medical supplies to the field.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

First responders, including combat medics, play a critical role in mitigating preventable death. Their ability to reach and treat injured personnel within moments of injury, especially injuries from improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and other items that result in major trauma or penetrating injuries, can mean the difference between life and death. Proper training is only part of needs for properly field treatment; the first responder also needs the right equipment to cope with these serious injuries.

For first responders, it is critical that they be equipped with the proper supplies for treating injured personnel. The most critical supplies include nasopharyngeal airway, supraglottic airway, cricothyroidotomy, suction device, chest seal, decompression needle, bag valve mask, emergency trauma dressing, combat application tourniquet, gauze, hemostatic bandage, compression wrap, splint and shears on a leash. Typically, these materials are placed in a first-aid bag such as the EMS Rapid Deployment Kit offered by North American Rescue, LLC.

One significant disadvantage for the first responder is that the first-aid bag needs to be fairly large, thereby making it unwieldy. When carrying these bags, typically in the back of the first responder, such as the combat medic, the combat medic is easily identified. This causes the first responder to be targeted by the enemy because their loss is devastating to a unit.

Additionally, the resupply of these first-aid kits is shipped to the battlefield. Many times the kit, resupply portion and even the individual items are separated in shipping so that the combat medic is not provided with the critical items that are needed for the first responder.

Therefore, it is an object of this invention to provide a first-aid kit that does not distinguish the first responder, particularly the combat medic, from the other individual on scene.

It is an object of this invention to provide a first-aid kit that can ship integrated to prevent the loss of one or more components of the first-aid kit or the resupply items from being separated.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The objects of the present invention are achieved by providing a first-aid treatment and resupply system comprising: a resupply bag having a plurality of resupply bag system connectors; a plurality of resupply containers removably attached to the interior of the resupply bag containing medical supplies items taken from the group consisting of hemorrhage control and vascular items, airway management items, breathing management items, hypothermia prevention items, and any combination thereof; a plurality of resupply bag system connectors securing members attached to the resupply bag for stowing the resupply bag system connectors when they are not in use; a personal bag having a plurality of personal bag system connectors wherein the personal bag removably attached to the resupply bag using the resupply bag connectors and the personal bag connectors; a plurality of personal containers removably attached to the interior of the personal bag containing medical supply items taken from the group consisting of hemorrhage control and vascular items, airway management items, breathing management items, hypothermia prevention items, and any combination thereof; a plurality of personal bag system container securing members attached to the personal bag for stowing the personal bag system container when they are not in use; a drop-down mount removably attached to the personal bag and having a leg strap attached to the drop-down mount; an immediate response bag removably attached to the drop-down mount containing medical items taken from the group consisting of hemorrhage control and vascular items, airway management, breathing management, and any combination thereof; and, whereas the resupply bag, personal bag, drop-down mount and immediate response are all attached as a system for transportation and are disconnected for deployment and use by responding personnel.

The invention can also include a method of transporting and resupply first-aid items to medical personnel comprising: providing a resupply bag having a plurality of containers removably attached to the interior of the resupply bag containing medical supply items taken from the group consisting of hemorrhage control and vascular items, airway management items, breathing management items, hypothermia prevention items, and any combination thereof; attaching a personal bag to the resupply bag having a plurality of personal bag containers containing medical supply items taken from the group consisting of hemorrhage control and vascular items, airway management items, breathing management items, hypothermia prevention items, and any combination thereof; attaching an immediate response bag to the personal bag containing medical items taken from the group consisting of hemorrhage control and vascular items, airway management, breathing management, and any combination thereof; transporting the attached resupply, personal and immediate response bag from an assembly location to a deployment location as a connected unit; detaching the resupply bag from the personal bag and the immediate response bag; stowing the resupply bag for subsequent use; and, outfitting medical personnel with the personal bag and the immediate response bag.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

This invention will more readily be understood by referencing the following drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the invention;

FIGS. 5A through 5C are aspects of the invention;

FIGS. 6A through 6D are aspects of the invention;

FIGS. 7A through 7E are aspects of the invention; and,

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to FIG. 1, the first-aid treatment and resupply system shown generally at A is illustrated. A resupply bag 10 is carried by a personal bag 12. Personal bag 12 also carries immediate response bag 13. The personal bag is attached to the resupply bag through a plurality of system connectors shown as 16a through 16c. The immediate response bag is carried by a drop-down mount 18 which is carried by the personal bag. The resupply bag includes a handle 20. When integrated, the resupply bag, personal bag, immediate response bag and drop-down mount can be carried, stored and secured as a single system so that during transport and storage, the individual components of the system are not separated and will not be lost. This insures that the items critical to the first responder will all be delivered to the location where they are needed in a compact easy to carry system. Further, the personal bag, drop-down mount and immediate response bag can be connected as a secondary unit. Therefore, the first-aid treatment and resupply system can be transported as a unit. For deployment, the resupply bag can be detached from the system and either individually carried, stowed on a vehicle or otherwise placed aside for subsequent use. The personal bag, drop-down mount and immediate response bag can be provided to a medical professional as a secondary unit.

Referring to FIG. 2, resupply bag is shown in further detail. A portion of the system connector assembly is shown as 16a through 16e. As shown, system connector assembly portions 16a through 16e are the male end of a quick-release clip. A plurality of system connector securing members, such as shown as 22 allows the portion of the system connector assembly to be secured to the resupply bag preventing the portion of the system connector assembly from catching on wayward objects, prevents entanglements and allows for proper stowing of this portion of the securing connector assembly. A zipper 24 secures the resupply bag in a closed position for transportation and storage.

Referring to FIGS. 3A and 3B, the interior of the resupply bag is shown in more detail. The resupply bag, when in the open position, allow access to the front section 24 and the back section 26 of the bag. A hinge 36 allows the inside of the front section and back section to be exposed when the resupply bag is in the open position. The front section contains a hook and loop fastener system for securing removable containers to the inside of the front section. One portion of the hook and loop system 28a is carried by the inside of the front section while the removable containers contain the other potion of the hook and loop fasteners 28b. This allows the removable containers to be detached from the front cover for use.

In one embodiment, the placement of removable containers is identical to the configuration of the personal bag so that resupply of the personal bag simply involves moving the removable container from the resupply bag to the personal bag and placing it in the same position in the personal bag as it was in the resupply bag. This greatly simplifies the resupply process and is significantly advantageous to having to resupply through providing individual parts.

In one embodiment, there are a plurality of removable containers 30a through 30d. One container can be designed for hemorrhage control and vascular access and can contain medical items such as tourniquets, C-A-T tourniquets, emergency dressing gauze, s-rolled gauze, abdominal dressing, combat gauze, saline lock kits, compression wraps, tactical compression wraps, IV constricting band, sharps container and any combination thereof. In one embodiment, there can be a plurality of hemorrhage control removable containers since hemorrhage control can assist in preventing a significant majority of preventable combat deaths. Having a plurality of hemorrhage control removable containers allows several personnel to each use a hemorrhage control removable container at the same time as they can be removed from the personal bag and distributed to the treating professional. This comprehensive set of hemorrhage and vascular access supplies equip the Warfighter/Operator, Tactical Healthcare Professional and Prehospital Care Provider with the vital tools to effectively stabilize a patient in the critical minutes after sustaining a wound.

A plurality of airway management removable containers 32a and 32b are included in the resupply bag. Items contained in the removable container include supraglothic airway kit, cricothyroidotomy kit, surgical cricothyroidotomy kit, nasopharyngeal airway tube, airway tube lubricant, tactical suction device, tracheal hook, and any combination thereof. These removable containers are placed in the resupply bag in the same configuration as the personal bag to simplify resupply of the personal bag.

A breathing management container 34 can also be included in the resupply bag that contains items for breathing management. Items contained in the breathing management container include needle decompression for treating tension pneumothorax, chest seal for treating penetrating chest wounds, and any combination thereof. In one embodiment, airway management and breathing management items can be combined in one container.

Further, a hypothermia prevention and management kit can be included at location 36 or other container and can be removed to prevent hypothermia during transport of the injured individual.

Referring to FIG. 4A, the personal bag is shown in more detail. A reinforced hinge is located at the bottom of the personal bag so that when the personal bag is in the open position, the front and rear side of the personal bag remain connected. PALS (personal attachment ladder system) webbing 38 can be attached to the outside of the personal bag that provides for attaching smaller equipment onto the load bearing platform of the personal bag. A personal bag zipper 40 is attached to secure the front and rear side of the personal bag in the closed position. A utility pocket 42 can be included on the outside of the front side of the personal bag and secured by a zipper.

The personal bag can also be secured in the closed position through security connectors 44a through 44d so as to secure the personal bag in the closed position even when the zipper fails as shown in FIG. 4B. In one embodiment, one portion of the security connector, 44a and 44b, also serve as one portion of the system connector assembly so that this portion can be used to secure the personal bag to the resupply bag as shown in FIG. 1. When a portion of the security connector is not being used, it can be stored under securing connector member 46a as shown in FIG. 4A. It should be noted that securing members 46a through 46e secure the respective portion of the security connector.

Referring to FIG. 5A, the top rear outside of the personal bag is shown. Portions of carrying assembly connectors 48a and 48b are attached to the personal bag. The carrying assembly connectors can attach to corresponding portions of the carrying assembly carried by body armor of the individual that wishes to wear the personal bag. Alternatively, carrying assembly connectors 48a and 48b can be connected to shoulder strap 50 allowing the personal bag to be worn by an individual as shown in FIG. 5D.

Referring to FIG. 5B, the shoulder strap includes a tightening end 52 and connection end 54. The connection end of the shoulder strap can attach to the PALS (molle) systems of the body armor, vest, clothing, or other gear of the individual. A connector carried by the shoulder strap can attach to the personal bag through the securing connector. The strap, between the connection end and the tightening end, is connected to the carrying assembly connector. When the individual then pulls the tightening end, the shoulder strap tightens and secures the personal bag to the back of the individual.

Referring to FIG. 5C, a waist strap 58 is connected to the waist support connector 55 and therefore secured to the personal bag. The waist strap, like the shoulder strap, can be secured to the PALS of the individual's body armor, vest, or other clothing and when the pull tab is pulled, the personal bag is tightened around onto the back of the individual wishing to wear the personal bag. When the support member 55 is not being used, it can be stored in pocket 60.

Referring to FIG. 5E, a backpack yoke 61 is carried by the personal bag and secured inside backpack yoke pocket 64 when not in use. The backpack yoke connects to waist yoke connectors 63a and 63b. When the lower yoke connectors 65a and 65b are disconnected from waist yoke connectors 63a and 63b, the yoke can be stowed in the yoke pocket. Yoke connector pocket 67 can receive waist yoke connector 63a when the waist yoke connector is not in use. Support connector 55 is shown stowed by securing connector member 57.

Referring to FIG. 6A, backpack yoke 62 is shown carried by the personal bag. In this embodiment, the bottom of backpack yoke can be removably connected to backpack securing straps 69a and 69b when the securing straps are connected to the molle webbing of the personal bag. The backpack yoke can include a plurality of backpack shoulder straps 63a and 63b. The backpack shoulder straps can also be connected to support connector 48a and 48b, respectively, to secure the top of the backpack yoke to the personal bag. The backpack shoulder straps can include backpack yoke reinforcement straps 66a and 66b. The backpack yoke reinforcement straps can be secured to the support connectors to provide additional support for the backpack when worn by the individual. In this configuration, support connector 48a would connect to backpack strap reinforcement connector 68a. The backpack straps can include a sternum strap 70. In one embodiment, the backpack yoke can be removed from the personal bag and used on the resupply bag.

Referring to FIG. 6B, the personal bag in the open position is shown. The rear potion of the personal bag can include a hinged back plate. A hinge 72 allows the personal bag to “bend” around the back of the individual wearing the personal bag to better conform to the shape of the individual's back. Containers placed inside the personal bag can be arranged so that the containers are adjacent to each other at the hinge. This arrangement allows the personal bag to conform to the wearer's back even when fully loaded with containers and supplies.

When the pull tabs of the shoulder straps or yoke are tightened, the personal bag is pulled so that it conforms to the individual's back and fits snugly against the individual. When the individual runs, the backpack will be less prone to moving from side to side. This allows the individual to more efficiently maneuver into spaces such as doorways and prevents the center of gravity of the individual from being as altered as it is with a traditional backpack. The inside of the rear portion of the personal bag can contain the hook or loop portion 74 of a hook and loop connector. An accessories strap 76 can be included in the bottom of the inside of the personal bag and secure items such as rolls of tape 78. The accessories strap can have a release member to allow the accessory strap to be pulled apart for replacing the tape.

In one embodiment, the personal bag includes removable containers in the same configuration as in the resupply bag. The personal bag could therefore include airway management removable containers, breathing management removable containers, hemorrhage control and vascular access removable containers. Since the resupply bag and the personal bag can have the same configuration of removable containers and in the event that it is necessary, a first responder can treat an injured individual directly from the resupply bag and the training and experience concerning the location of medical items would be the same since the resupply bag and personal bag would have items located in the same location and configuration.

The front portion of the inside of the personal bag can include closable pockets 80a through 80c of FIG. 6D. These pockets can hold items such as gloves, treatment and instruction cards, triage cards, head lamps, or any combination of these items.

Referring to FIG. 7A, the immediate response bag 82 is shown. PALS or molle webbing can be included on the immediate response bag as well as securing straps 84a through 84c. These securing straps can be used to secure the immediate response bag to the body armor, vest, clothing, or other gear of the individual wearing the immediate response bag. In one embodiment, the immediate response bag is positioned in the center of the chest so as not to interfere with the other equipment being carried by the individual. Further, this chest position allows the items in the immediate response bag to be quickly accessed. Items that are included in the immediate response bag include: nitrile trauma gloves, gloves, combat card, cricothyroidotomy kit, nasopharyngeal airway kit, chest seal, decompression needles, gauze, s-rolled gauze, tourniquet, C-A-T tourniquet, compression bandage, scissor, scissor leash, headlamp, and any combination thereof. Further, a plurality of items of the same type can be carried allowing two or more first responders to use the same items in parallel from a single immediate response bag as shown in FIG. 7B.

Shears 86 (FIG. 7A) can be carried by the immediate response bag using a leash 88. The leash can be internal to the immediate response bag and can exit the bag through any one of a plurality of leash exit ports 90a through 90d allowing customization for the location of the shears.

Referring to FIG. 7C, a thigh carrier 92 can be attached to the immediate response bag as shown in FIG. 7D. The thigh carrier can include a thigh strap 94 with a thigh strap connector 96 allowing the thigh carrier to be secure around the thigh portion of the individuals leg. Belt strap 98 can also be included in the thigh carrier that when secured to the individual belt, prevents the thigh carrier from slipping downward; especially when the individual is running and the immediate response bag is worn on the thigh. A belt releasable connector 100 can also be included allowing quick release of the immediate response bag from the belt. Whether carried by the PALS of the individual or the thigh carrier, pockets 102, covered by pocket flag 104, are accessible from the outward facing portion of the thigh bag and in one embodiment, include tourniquets so that the life saving tourniquets are accessible without having to remove the personal bag or immediate response bag. Pocket flag 104 can be secured in the closed position through a hook and loop connection.

Referring to FIG. 7E, the immediate response bag is secured to the personal bag through the use of the thigh carrier so that in storage and transport the immediate response bag will not be separated from the personal response bag. When the personal response bag is secured to the resupply bag, the immediate response bag, thigh carrier, personal bag and resupply bag are configured as a system and therefore will be are easily stored and transported without separation of the various components.

Referring now to FIG. 8, resupply bag can include backpack straps 106a and 106b. In one embodiment, resupply strap connectors 108a and 108b are attached to the resupply bag near the handles. The backpack yoke can be removed from the personal bag and secured to the resupply bag by the strap connectors. Therefore, the backpack yoke can be used with both the personal bag and the resupply bag.

The backpack straps of the resupply kit can include resupply system connectors 110a and 110b that can attach to strap connectors 108a and 108b, respectively. Further, the straps can be carried by the backpack yoke and serve to provide additional support to the backpack yoke when the backpack yoke is attached to the resupply kit. When not in use, the backpack straps can be stowed in resupply storage areas 106a and 106b, respectively.

While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been described using specific terms, such description is for illustrative purposes only, and it is to be understood that changes and variations may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. A first-aid treatment and resupply system comprising: a resupply bag having a plurality of resupply bag system connectors;a plurality of resupply containers removably attached to the interior of said resupply bag containing medical supplies items taken from the group consisting of hemorrhage control and vascular items, airway management items, breathing management items, hypothermia prevention items, and any combination thereof;a plurality of resupply bag system connectors securing members attached to said resupply bag for stowing said resupply bag system connectors when they are not in use;a personal bag having a plurality of personal bag system connectors wherein said personal bag removably attached to said resupply bag using said resupply bag connectors and said personal bag connectors;a plurality of personal containers removably attached to the interior of said personal bag containing medical supply items taken from the group consisting of hemorrhage control and vascular items, airway management items, breathing management items, hypothermia prevention items, and any combination thereof;a plurality of personal bag system container securing members attached to said personal bag for stowing said personal bag system container when they are not in use;a drop-down mount removably attached to said personal bag and having a leg strap attached to said drop-down mount;an immediate response bag removably attached to said drop-down mount containing medical items taken from the group consisting of hemorrhage control and vascular items, airway management, breathing management, and any combination thereof; and,whereas said resupply bag, personal bag, drop-down mount and immediate response are all attached as a system for transportation and are disconnected for deployment and use by responding personnel.

2. The system of claim 1 including: a backpack yoke attached to said personal bag having a stowed position and a deployed position;a backpack yoke pocket defined in said personal bag for receiving said backpack yoke when it is in said stowed position; and,a plurality of yoke connectors carried by said personal bag for securing said backpack yoke to said personal bag when said backpack yoke is in said deployed position.

3. The system of claim 2 including: a plurality of yoke connector pockets defined in said personal bag for receiving said yoke connectors when said backpack yoke is in said stowed position.

4. The system of claim 2 including a plurality of backpack yoke reinforcement straps carried by said backpack yoke and removably attached to said personal bag.

5. The system of claim 2 including: said backpack yoke is removably attached to said personal bag;a personal bag deployed position included in said deployed position wherein said backpack yoke is removably attached to said personal bag; and,a resupply bag deployed position included in said deployed position wherein said backpack yoke is removably attached to said resupply bag.

6. The system of claim 1 including: a carrying assembly connector attached to said personal bag; and,a shoulder strap removably attached to said personal bag.

7. The system of claim 6 including: a waist support connector attached to said personal bag; and,a waist strap removably attached to said personal bag.

8. The system of claim 6 including: a connection and a tightening end included in said shoulder strap;molle-type webbing attached to said personal bag; andwherein said connection end is attached to said molle-type webbing, and a middle portion of said shoulder strap is connected to said carrying assembly connector; and,said shoulder strap is tightened when said tightening end is pulled.

9. The system of claim 1 including: a top personal bag system connector attached to the top of said personal bag; and,a drop-down mount system connector attached to said drop-down mount so that said personal bag, said drop-down mount and said immediate response bag are connected together as a secondary unit.

10. The system of claim 1 including: a top personal bag connector attached to the top of said personal bag; and,an immediate response bag system connector attached to said immediate response bag so that said personal bag and said immediate response bag are connected together as a secondary unit.

11. The system of claim 1 including: a resupply system connector attached to said resupply bag; and,a backpack strap having a lower end attached to said resupply bag and an upper end removably connected to said resupply system connector.

12. The system of claim 11 including a resupply storage area defined in said resupply bag for receiving said backpack strap when said backpack strap is stowed.

13. The system of claim 11 including a backpack yoke removably attached to said resupply system connector and carried by said backpack strap.

14. The system of claim 1 including a hinge incorporated in a back wall of said personal bag so that when said personal bag is worn by an individual, said personal bag conforms to the individual's physical shape.

15. A method of transporting and resupply first-aid items to medical personnel comprising: providing a resupply bag having a plurality of containers removably attached to the interior of said resupply bag containing medical supply items taken from the group consisting of hemorrhage control and vascular items, airway management items, breathing management items, hypothermia prevention items, and any combination thereof;attaching a personal bag to said resupply bag having a plurality of personal bag containers containing medical supply items taken from the group consisting of hemorrhage control and vascular items, airway management items, breathing management items, hypothermia prevention items, and any combination thereof;attaching an immediate response bag to said personal bag containing medical items taken from the group consisting of hemorrhage control and vascular items, airway management, breathing management, and any combination thereof;transporting said attached resupply, personal and immediate response bag from an assembly location to a deployment location as a connected unit;detaching said resupply bag from said personal bag and said immediate response bag;stowing said resupply bag for subsequent use; and,outfitting medical personnel with said personal bag and said immediate response bag.

16. The method of claim 15 including: arranging said resupply bag containers in said resupply bag in a configuration similar to the arrangement of said personal bag containers in said personal bag so that a resupply bag container can be moved from its location in said resupply bag to a corresponding location in said personal bag while maintaining the arrangement of personal bag containers.

17. The method of claim 15 including: detaching said personal bag from said immediate response bag;deploying a backpack yoke attached to said personal bag allowing the medical personnel to carry said personal bag; and,attaching said immediate response bag to the gear of said medical personnel.

18. The method of claim 17 including attaching said immediate response bag to the body armor generally at the medical personnel's chest area.

19. The method of claim 17 including attaching said immediate response bag to a drop-down mount attached to the gear and thigh of the medical personnel.

20. The method of claim 15 including: using medical items taken from a personal bag container from said personal bag for treating an injured individual; and,removing said personal bag container from its location interior to said personal bag; and,replacing said personal bag container with a respective resupply container taken from said resupply bag so that said personal bag container is resupplied after use.

21. The method of claim 15 including: using medical items taken from said immediate response bag for treating an injured individual; and,replacing said immediate response bag from a second immediate response bag taken from said resupply bag.

22. A first-aid treatment and resupply system comprising: a resupply bag having a hemorrhage control and vascular container, airway management container and breathing management container arranged in a predetermined configuration and removably connected to said resupply bag;a personal bag having a hemorrhage control and vascular container, an airway management container, and breathing management container arranged in said predetermined configuration removably connected to said personal bag; and,an immediate response bag having medical items used for hemorrhage control and airway management removably attached to said personal bag so that said resupply bag, personal bag and immediate response bag can be transported and stored as a system.

23. The system of claim 22 including a drop-down mount carried by said immediate response bag.

24. The system of claim 22 including a backpack yoke removably attached to said resupply bag.

25. The system of claim 24 including a backpack yoke pocket defined in said personal bag for receiving said backpack yoke is at least partially detached from said personal bag and stowed.

26. The system of claim 24 including a plurality of backpack yoke reinforcement straps carried by said backpack yoke and removably attached to said personal bag.

27. The system of claim 22 including: backpack straps connected to said resupply bag at a distal end and removably connected to said resupply bag at a proximate end; and,resupply storage areas defined in said resupply bag for receiving said backpack straps when said back straps are disconnected at said proximate end when said backpack straps are stowed.

28. The system of claim 22 including an accessory strap carried by said personal bag.

29. The system of claim 22 including: a leash port defined in said immediate response bag;a scissor leash carried by said immediate response bag having a distal portion carried internal to said immediate response bag and a proximate end projecting through said leash port external to said immediate response bag; and,

30. The system of claim 29 including scissors attached to said proximate end of said scissor leash and carried by said immediate response bag.

31. The system of claim 22 including an internal pocket included in said personal bag containing personal protection medical items.