TOURNIQUET AND METHOD OF USE
First Claim
1. 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 and a second end; and
(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 buckle connected to the second end of the first elongated member, the buckle comprising;
(i) a first lateral side and a second lateral side;
wherein the first and second lateral sides are spaced apart from and substantially parallel to each other;
(ii) an intermediate bar located between the first and second lateral sides and substantially parallel to the first and second lateral sides, the intermediate bar including a top surface and a bottom surface with a first sidewall and a second sidewall therebetween;
(iii) a first end and a second end interconnected to the first and second lateral sides and the intermediate bar;
(iv) a first port located between the first lateral side and the intermediate bar;
(v) a second port located between the second lateral side and the intermediate bar;
(vi) a first tooth set situated on the first side wall of the intermediate bar and at least partially extending into the first port; and
(vii) a second tooth set situated on the second side wall of the intermediate bar and at least partially extending into the second port;
wherein the top surface of the intermediate bar is elevated with respect to the first and second ends of the buckle;
whereby the second end of the first elongated member is looped through the first port of the buckle to connect the first elongated member to the buckle;
whereby the first end of the first elongated member is looped around the body part and through the first and second ports of the buckle so as to mount the first elongated member around the body part;
(d) 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
(e) 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.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A tourniquet for restricting a flow of blood in a body part 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. At least one embodiment of the present invention comprises a buckle having one or more of a raised intermediate bar and one or more teeth for contacting a portion of the first elongated member. 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.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. A tourniquet for restricting a flow of blood in a body part, the tourniquet comprising:
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(a) a first elongated member comprising; (i) a surface comprising both hook and loop structures; (ii) a first end and a second end; and (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 buckle connected to the second end of the first elongated member, the buckle comprising; (i) a first lateral side and a second lateral side;
wherein the first and second lateral sides are spaced apart from and substantially parallel to each other;(ii) an intermediate bar located between the first and second lateral sides and substantially parallel to the first and second lateral sides, the intermediate bar including a top surface and a bottom surface with a first sidewall and a second sidewall therebetween; (iii) a first end and a second end interconnected to the first and second lateral sides and the intermediate bar; (iv) a first port located between the first lateral side and the intermediate bar; (v) a second port located between the second lateral side and the intermediate bar; (vi) a first tooth set situated on the first side wall of the intermediate bar and at least partially extending into the first port; and (vii) a second tooth set situated on the second side wall of the intermediate bar and at least partially extending into the second port; wherein the top surface of the intermediate bar is elevated with respect to the first and second ends of the buckle; whereby the second end of the first elongated member is looped through the first port of the buckle to connect the first elongated member to the buckle; whereby the first end of the first elongated member is looped around the body part and through the first and second ports of the buckle so as to mount the first elongated member around the body part; (d) 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 (e) 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.
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2. A tourniquet for restricting a flow of blood in a body part, the tourniquet comprising:
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(a) an outer sleeve having first and second ends; (b) a buckle connected to the second end of the outer sleeve, the buckle comprising; (i) a top and a bottom; (ii) a first lateral side and a second lateral side, wherein the first and second lateral sides are spaced apart from each other; (iii) an intermediate bar located between the first and second lateral sides, the intermediate bar including a top surface and a bottom surface with a first sidewall and a second sidewall therebetween; and (iv) at least one first tooth situated on one of the first and second sidewalls of the intermediate bar; whereby the first end of the outer sleeve is looped around the body part and through the buckle so as to connect the outer sleeve around the body part; whereby the outer sleeve interacts with the at least one tooth to prevent the outer sleeve from disengaging from the buckle; (c) an inner strap in slidable engagement with the outer sleeve; and (d) 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. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A tourniquet for restricting a flow of blood in a body part, the tourniquet comprising:
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(a) an outer sleeve having first and second ends; (b) a buckle connected to the second end of the outer sleeve, the buckle comprising; (i) a top and a bottom; (ii) a first lateral side and a second lateral side, wherein the first and second lateral sides are spaced apart from each other; (iii) an intermediate bar located between the first and second sidewalls, the intermediate bar including a top surface and a bottom surface with a first sidewall and a second sidewall; and (iv) a first end and a second end interconnecting the first lateral side, the second lateral side, and the intermediate bar, wherein the top surface of the intermediate bar is elevated with respect to the first and second ends of the buckle; whereby the first end of the outer sleeve is looped around the body part and through the buckle so as to mount the first elongated member around the body part; (c) an inner strap in slidable engagement with the outer sleeve; and (d) 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. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17)
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18. A method of restricting a flow of blood to a body part, the method comprising:
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(a) wrapping a first elongated member having a buckle on a second portion thereof around the body part, the buckle having a first port and a second port with at least one tooth at least partially extending into each of the first and second ports; (b) threading a first portion of the first elongated member through the first port in the buckle from the bottom to the top of the buckle; (c) extending the first portion of the first elongated member over an intermediate bar of the buckle; (d) threading the first portion of the first elongated member through the second port in the buckle from the top of the buckle to the bottom of the buckle such that the at least one tooth in the first and second ports at least partially contact the first elongated member; (e) detachably attaching the first portion of the elongated member to an outer surface of the elongated member so as to mount the first elongated member to the body part; and (f) 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, and wherein a compressive force is applied to the body part restricting the flow of blood in the body part.
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19. A tourniquet for restricting a flow of blood in a body part, the tourniquet comprising:
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(a) means for circumferentially surrounding the body part; (b) means for detachably connecting a first end and a second end of the means for circumferentially surrounding, the means for detachably connecting comprising; (i) first and second means for receiving the means for circumferentially surrounding; and (ii) first and second means for providing drag to the means for circumferentially surrounding, the first and second means for providing drag located adjacent the first and second means for receiving, respectively; whereby the first end of the means for circumferentially surrounding are looped around the body part and through the first and second means for receiving so as to mount the means for circumferentially surrounding around the body part; whereby the means for circumferentially surrounding interacts with the first and second means for providing drag to prevent the means for circumferentially surrounding from disengaging from the means for detachably connecting; (c) means for compressing the body part, the means for compressing slidably engaging the means for circumferentially surrounding; and (d) 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. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21)
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22. A tourniquet for restricting a flow of blood in a body part, the tourniquet comprising:
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(a) means for circumferentially surrounding the body part; (b) means for detachably connecting a first end and a second end of the means for circumferentially surrounding, the means for detachably connecting comprising; (i) first and second means for receiving the means for circumferentially surrounding; and (ii) means for converting an input load into an output load that provides a pressure on the means for circumferentially surrounding; whereby the first end of the means for circumferentially surrounding is looped around the body part and through the first and second means for receiving so as to mount the means for circumferentially surrounding around the body part; whereby the means for circumferentially surrounding transmits the input load to the means for converting which prevents the means for circumferentially surrounding from disengaging from the means for detachably connecting once the means for circumferentially surrounding is mounted around the body part; (c) means for compressing the body part, the means for compressing slidably engaging the means for circumferentially surrounding; and (d) 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. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24)
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Specification