The present invention relates to a novel flow restriction device, particularly a novel tourniquet device for restricting blood flow.
This embodiment relates to a tourniquet system that stops arterial bleeding by blocking blood flow to the affected area. Tourniquets are used in the medical field, military forces, and consumer medical kits to prevent loss of life from blood loss. The tourniquets system can be operated using one hand when an individual is alone or without medical assistance.
Tourniquets prevent the loss of life in accidental, emergency, combat, and other related reasons where professional medical treatment is not available; an individual can quickly apply the tourniquet around the arm or the leg to prevent blood loss. Tourniquets can typically be applied using one hand. The tourniquet uses a metal band and pads to create radial pressure to the affected area preventing blood loss. Tourniquets applied around legs or arms are tightened to avoid blood loss, cause friction burns nerve damage, and do not treat an infection. A tourniquet that applies uneven pressure to the affected area can create other problems, including blood loss, reapplication of the tourniquet, unnecessary damage to muscle tissue. Individuals restricting blood flow during sustained injuries where medical professionals cannot reach or treat for long periods become critical in maintaining life. The extended periods where treatment is vital in preventing infections can cause further damage to the affected site where dirt, chemicals, or other foreign contaminants can enter the body from the compromised area. These contaminants can cause loss of limb, removal of infected tissue, or even death. Tourniquets need to be weather-resistant, easily accessible, durable, lightweight and treat the affected area with medications to sustain wellness. Most potential users tend not to carry devices unless they meet these requirements.
Accordingly, there is a need for an emergency lightweight tourniquet that can provide improved radial pressure to the wounded limb, restrict blood flow, treat infection, and prevent infection to the affected area. There is a further need for such a tourniquet that helps medical responders locate and communicate with individuals in areas or situations that complicate finding their position.
All fully assembled images have the top pads removed to demonstrate the position of the metal ring and internal device parts.
The drawings are not necessarily to scale and may, in part, include exaggerated dimensions for clarity.
The invention and other needs are addressed by the various embodiments and configurations of the present invention. The present invention comprises two upper sectional parts that make up the upper ring and two lower sectional parts that make up the lower ring. The upper ring includes injection ports, handle movement slot, bolt holes, and bolt locking compartment. The lower ring comprises a plastic bag removal slot, bolt locking compartment, and bolt holes.
In accordance with the embodiments of the present invention, the circular tourniquet ring comprises two injection ports used to administer medication using medication vials. The medications prevent infection or further infection of the compromised limb over an extended period.
In accordance with the embodiments of the present invention, the medical cover removal slot allows a cover to be placed over the compromised limb to prevent dirt, debris, chemicals, or other foreign material from coming in contact with the affected limb.
In accordance with the embodiments of the present invention, the bolt holes allow a bolt to pass through the upper and lower ring to increase the diameter of the tourniquet. The locking bolt compartment prevents the ring from the tourniquet returning to the original diameter.
In accordance with the embodiments of the present invention, the electric motor control and tightening screw controls the diameter of the metal ring. The electrical motor control is used to tighten the metal ring and press the pads around the limb to stop blood flow.
In accordance with the embodiments of the present invention, the pads have nodes that are used to guide the pads to the affected limb without contact from the metal ring. The pads prevent friction burns and nerve and muscle damage to the affected limb.
In accordance with the embodiments of the present invention, the metal ring’s circumference is determined by the electrical motor control and bolt locking compartment. Increases circumference to be placed on a compromised site where the metal band can be tightened, pushing padding to the affected limb to prevent blood loss.
In accordance with the embodiments of the present invention, the padding hole slots are used to keep the padding stationary till the metal band decreases circumference. The padding nodes come out of the padding hole slots and continue with the metal ring to perform radial pressure on the affected limb.
Various embodiments of the present invention are outlined in the attached figures. The claims provided a detailed description of the invention and embodied by the invention. However, it should be understood that this Summary of the Invention may not contain all aspects and embodiments of the present invention. The detailed description is not meant to be limiting or restrictive. The invention as disclosed herein is and will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art to encompass apparent improvements and modifications to that.
Additional advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent from the following discussion, particularly when taken together with the accompanying drawings.
The present invention comprises a tourniquet that can be used with one hand by pressing the start button 15 engaging an electrical motor control 4 that reduces the metal band 3 radial diameter, adding pressure to the pads 9 applying pressure to stop blood flow on a limb. The device has an internal GPS used in emergencies and allows emergency communications once the start button 15 is pressed. In addition, the tourniquet provides improved bleeding stoppage by way of an inner metal band 3 tightening positioned within the center of the invention.
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