Tourniquet and method of use

DC CAFC

US 7,892,253 B2
Filed: 08/28/2007
Issued: 02/22/2011
Est. Priority Date: 08/28/2007
Status: Active Grant

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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, with a first planar transition area between the top surface of the intermediate bar and the first end, and with a second planar transition area between the top surface of the intermediate bar and the second end, wherein the first and second planar transition areas are substantially parallel to the first lateral side;

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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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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12 Claims

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, with a first planar transition area between the top surface of the intermediate bar and the first end, and with a second planar transition area between the top surface of the intermediate bar and the second end, wherein the first and second planar transition areas are substantially parallel to the first lateral side;
  
  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.

2. A tourniquet for restricting a flow of blood in a body part, the tourniquet comprising:
- (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, a first port located between the intermediate bar and the first lateral side of the buckle, wherein the at least one first tooth extends at least partially into the first port from the first sidewall of the intermediate bar, wherein;
  
  the at least one first tooth includes;
  
  a top surface that is substantially parallel to the top surface of the intermediate bar;
  
  an inclined surface; and
  
  a projection situated between the top surface of the at least one first tooth and the inclined surface;
  
  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)
- - 3. The tourniquet of claim 2, wherein:
    - the inclined surface of the at least one first tooth faces substantially toward the bottom of the buckle.
  - 4. The tourniquet of claim 3, further comprising:
    - a second port located between the intermediate bar and the second lateral side of the buckle, wherein at least one second tooth at least partially extends into the second port from the second sidewall of the intermediate bar; and
      
      wherein the at least one second tooth includes;
      
      a top surface that is generally parallel to the top surface of the intermediate bar;
      
      an inclined surface; and
      
      a projection situated between the top surface of the at least one second tooth and the inclined surface.
  - 5. The tourniquet of claim 4, wherein:
    - the inclined surface of the at least one second tooth faces substantially toward the bottom of the buckle.
  - 6. The tourniquet of claim 4, wherein:
    - the inclined surface of the at least one second tooth faces substantially toward the top of the buckle.
  - 7. The tourniquet of claim 2, wherein:
    - the inclined surface of the at least one first tooth generally faces substantially toward the top of the buckle.
  - 8. The tourniquet of claim 2, further comprising:
    - a first end and a second end interconnecting the first and second lateral sides and the intermediate bar of the buckle;
      
      wherein the top surface of the intermediate bar is elevated with respect to the first and second ends of the buckle.

9. A tourniquet for restricting a flow of blood in a body part, the tourniquet comprising:
- (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 with first elevation transition areas between the top surface of the intermediate bar and the first end, and with second elevation transition areas between the top surface of the intermediate bar and the second end;
  
  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 (10, 11)
- - 10. The tourniquet of claim 9, further comprising:
    - a first port located between the intermediate bar and the first lateral side of the buckle, wherein at least one first tooth at least partially extends into the first port from the first sidewall of the intermediate bar.
  - 11. The tourniquet of claim 10, further comprising:
    - a second port located between the intermediate bar and the second lateral side of the buckle, wherein at least one second tooth at least partially extends into the second port from the second sidewall of the intermediate bar.

12. A method of restricting a flow of blood to a body part, the method comprising:
- (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, wherein the buckle includes elevation transition areas between a top surface of the intermediate bar and directly adjacent first and second ends 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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Current Assignee
Phil Durango LLC
Original Assignee
Phil Durango LLC
Inventors
Esposito, Mark, Bennett, Jonathan
Primary Examiner(s)
Robert; Eduardo C
Assistant Examiner(s)
EVERAGE, KEVIN D

Application Number

US11/846,382
Publication Number

US 20090062842A1
Time in Patent Office

1,274 Days
Field of Search

606/201, 606/203
US Class Current

606/203
CPC Class Codes

A61B 17/1327 Tensioning clamps

Tourniquet and method of use

First Claim

4 Assignments

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Accused Products

Abstract

73 Citations

12 Claims

Specification

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Tourniquet and method of use

First Claim

4 Assignments

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0 Petitions

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Accused Products

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Abstract

73 Citations

12 Claims

Specification

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Solutions

Use Cases

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