GB2565265A

GB2565265A - A tourniquet tensioning device

Info

Publication number: GB2565265A
Application number: GB1709596.9A
Authority: GB
Inventors: J Hodgetts Timothy
Original assignee: Citizenaid Ltd
Current assignee: Citizenaid Ltd
Priority date: 2017-06-16
Filing date: 2017-06-16
Publication date: 2019-02-13
Anticipated expiration: 2037-06-16
Also published as: GB2565265B; GB201709596D0

Abstract

A tourniquet tensioning device 102 comprises a tourniquet engagement portion 104 having a retaining member 108 that can be bulbous or hemisphere shaped, and can have an aperture (210, Fig 2). A winding arm 106 extends from a second end 105 of the tourniquet engagement portion 104. The winding arm 106 comprises a securing means 110 (e.g. a hook). In use the engagement portion 104 of the tensioning device 102 engages with the tourniquet. The tension of the tourniquet is adjusted by a user rotating the winding arm 106. When at a desired tension the tensioning device 102 and tourniquet can be secured by engagement of the securing means 110 with the tourniquet. This can involve sliding the winding arm 106 between the tourniquet and a persons’ skin and attaching the securing means 110 (e.g. a hook) to the tourniquet.

Description

A Tourniquet Tensioning Device

The present invention relates to a tourniquet tensioning device.

Tourniquets typically comprise a strip of fabric such as a bandage or other suitable material which may be wrapped around an extremity of an injured person following an incident causing injury to the extremity or in more severe cases, amputation of the extremity. Tourniquets act to reduce or arrest blood loss through forcible compression of the blood vessels to the extremity and are suitably applied as soon as possible after the injury is sustained by an immediate responder or the injured person themselves. Said tourniquets enable control of blood circulation to the extremity, preventing excessive blood loss in the period of time during which the user may be transported from the incident site to a care facility.

It is known in the art that tourniquets are a device for adjusting the tension of a material band around a limb and thus, the compressive force exerted by the tourniquet. When a tourniquet is improvised it is necessary to utilise a separate material device and tensioning device. In this circumstance problems exist in that when such devices are provided separately to the tourniquet, it can be problematic for a responder or the injured person to find a suitably robust tensioning device to adjust the tension of the material band. In addition, once the desired tension of the tourniquet is achieved, it can be difficult to maintain this tension, such that it is often necessary to manually hold the tourniquet and device or in fact, a separate securing mechanism is required to maintain the desired tension. Devices for adjusting and maintaining the tension of tourniquets are required to be portable such that they can be easily carried, permit easy operation and once the tension of the tourniquet has been adjusted, be competent to maintain this desired tension so as to effectively prevent or reduce blood loss from an injured limb.

It is an object of aspects of the present invention to provide a solution to the above mentioned or other problems.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a tourniquet tensioning device comprising: a tourniquet engagement portion having a retaining member at or toward a first end thereof, and a winding arm extending from at or toward a second end of the tourniquet engagement portion, the winding arm comprising securing means, wherein the tourniquet tensioning device is operable, in use, to engage with a tourniquet at the tourniquet engagement portion and, by rotation of the winding arm, allows a user to adjust the tension of the tourniquet and secure the tourniquet at a desired tension by engagement of the securing means with the tourniquet.

The tourniquet may be any suitable tourniquet. By the term "tourniquet" and like terms as used herein, is meant a strip of fabric or other suitable material that may be wrapped and secured around an injured limb in proximity to an injury or amputation to reduce or arrest blood loss from the limb through forcible compression of the blood vessels to that extremity. It will be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that wrapping and securing the tourniquet in proximity to an injury or amputation refers to positioning the tourniquet above the wound, towards the torso of a person’s body. It will be further appreciated by a person skilled in the art that the tourniquet may be formed from any fabric or other suitable material that is available at the site of the incident causing injury or forms part of medical response equipment, such as a first aid kit provided by a responder to the incident or the injured person themselves. For example, the tourniquet may be a strip of fabric such as a non-elastic bandage or other appropriate dressing; a scarf, tie or other appropriate clothing material (eg shirt sleeve) and/or any other suitable material such as a belt. Suitably, the tourniquet is a non-elastic bandage.

The tourniquet tensioning device comprises a tourniquet engagement portion. By the term "tourniquet engagement portion" and like terms as used herein, is meant the component of the tourniquet tensioning device that, in use, is operable to engage with the tourniquet and thus, facilitate the attachment of the tourniquet tensioning device to the tourniquet. For example, after the tourniquet has been wrapped and secured around the limb, the tourniquet engagement portion may be positioned over the knotted material. The tourniquet engagement portion may also engage with the tourniquet before the tourniquet itself is wrapped and secured around the limb.

The tourniquet engagement portion may have any suitable shape. The tourniquet engagement portion may be generally elongate comprising a longitudinal axis along its length. Suitably, the tourniquet engagement portion is generally cylindrical. The tourniquet engagement portion preferably incorporates a roughened surface in order to prevent slippage of the tourniquet once tied. The tourniquet engagement portion may have any suitable length. The tourniquet engagement portion may have a length that is generally proportional to the length of the winding arm. The tourniquet engagement portion may have any length of from 50 to 120mm, such as from 60 to 100mm, or 70 to 90mm. In one embodiment, the tourniquet engagement portion may have a length of about 80mm. The tourniquet engagement portion may be generally circular in cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The cross section of the tourniquet engagement portion perpendicular to the longitudinal axis may have a width, or diameter, if generally circular, from about 8 to 20 mm, suitably from about 10 to 15 mm, such as from about 12 to 14mm. In one embodiment, the cross section of the tourniquet engagement portion perpendicular to the longitudinal axis may have a width, or diameter, if generally circular, of about 13mm.

The tourniquet engagement portion of the tourniquet tensioning device comprises a retaining member at or toward a first end thereof. By the term "retaining member" and like terms as used herein, is meant the section of the tourniquet engagement portion that, in use, is operable to prevent the tourniquet engagement portion and thus, the tourniquet tensioning device, from detaching from the tourniquet during use. The retaining member may extend to a greater radial extent (in at least one plane) than the tourniquet engagement portion. The retaining member may comprise a projection that is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal length of the tourniquet engagement portion. The retaining member may be selected from a solid projection such as a flange, a ball, hemisphere, bar, or expanded flattened portion, which may comprise, for example, a substantially flat rounded portion, square portion, triangular portion etc . Suitably, the retaining member comprises a radially extending rib or flange. The retaining member may comprise an aperture therethough. In one embodiment, the retaining member may comprises a flattened rounded section having an aperture therethrough. By the term "first end" and like terms as used herein in relation to the tourniquet engagement portion, is meant the end of the tourniquet engagement portion that engages first with the tourniquet and is opposite to the end at or towards which the winding arm extends from.

The tourniquet tensioning device may comprise an aperture therethrough. The aperture may be operable to allow a user to add the device to a keychain, for example. The retaining member may comprise an aperture therethough.

The tourniquet tensioning device comprises a winding arm. By the term "winding arm" and like terms as used herein, is meant the component of the tourniquet tensioning device that, in use, is operable to be wound in a circular motion (rotated), causing the tourniquet engagement portion to also rotate and adjust the tension of the tourniquet. For example, the winding arm may be rotated in either a clockwise or anticlockwise direction to increase the tension of the tourniquet after initial engagement of the tourniquet engagement portion with the tourniquet. The tension may then be reduced by rotating the winding arm in the opposite direction. For example, if the tourniquet has been secured at a particular tension, this level of tension can be subsequently increased by continuing to rotate the winding arm in the same direction or reduced by rotation of the winding arm in the opposite direction. By the term "second end" and like terms as used herein in relation to the tourniquet engagement portion, is meant the end of the tourniquet engagement portion opposite to that at which the retaining member is situated. The winding arm extends from at or toward the second end of the tourniquet engagement portion so as to form a conjoined shape with the tourniquet engagement portion. The winding arm may extend from the tourniquet engagement portion at an orientation that is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the tourniquet engagement portion. Suitably, the angle between the winding arm and the tourniquet engagement portion is 90° so as additionally prevent the tourniquet engagement portion and thus, the tourniquet tensioning device from becoming detached from the tourniquet when the winding arm is rotated. In use, during rotation of the winding arm, the winding arm may be orientated either in the same plane as the tourniquet engagement portion or in a plane generally perpendicular to that of the plane of the tourniquet engagement portion. It will be appreciated by a skilled person that when the winding arm is in a plane generally perpendicular to the plane of the tourniquet engagement portion, the winding arm extends away from the tourniquet.

The winding arm may have any suitable shape. The winding arm may be generally elongate comprising a longitudinal axis along its length. Suitably, the winding arm is generally rectangular, may be flattened and may be blade like in cross section. The winding arm suitably has an appropriate cross sectional shape, such as being flattened to facilitate ease of passage between the tourniquet and the skin as one alternative method of securing the device. The winding arm may be flattened such that in one dimension is has a width of about 4 to 6 mm, whereas in a second perpendicular direction it has a depth of 9 to 11 mm (the third perpendicular direction being the length, as discussed below).

The winding arm may have any suitable length. The winding arm may have a length that is generally proportional to the length of the tourniquet engagement portion. The winding arm may have a length of from 50 to 120mm, such as from 60 to 100mm, or 70 to 90mm. In one embodiment, the winding arm may have a length of about 80mm. The winding arm may be generally rectangular in cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

The winding arm of the tourniquet tensioning device comprises securing means. By the term "securing means" and like terms as used herein, is meant the section of the winding arm that, in use, is operable to secure the winding arm and thus, the tourniquet tensioning device to the tourniquet once the desired tension of the tourniquet has been achieved, so as to maintain this desired tension. For example, after the desired tension has been reached, the securing means may be engaged with the tourniquet by attaching the securing means to the tourniquet. The securing means may be selected from a fastener such as a hook, clasp or clip. Suitably, the securing means comprise a hook. The securing means may extend from at or toward the terminal end of the winding arm. By "terminal end" and like terms as used herein in relation to the winding arm, is meant the end of the winding arm that does not extend from the tourniquet engagement portion.

The securing means may be orientated in the same plane as the winding arm. It will be further appreciated by a person skilled in the art that, in use, the winding arm and thus, the securing means, is required to be in the same plane as the tourniquet engagement portion so as to enable engagement of the securing means with the tourniquet. The securing means may have any suitable dimensions. The securing means may have dimensions that are proportional to the winding arm and the tourniquet engagement portion and are suitable to enable the securing means to be effectively engaged with the tourniquet. The securing means suitably extends from the winding arm at an angle of between about 45° and 90°. The securing means suitably extends from the winding arm at an acute angle.

The tourniquet tensioning device according to the present invention may be formed from any suitable material. For example, the tourniquet tensioning device may be formed from a strong, lightweight material such as plastic, metal and hard-wood. Suitably, the tourniquet tensioning device is formed from metal. It is an advantage of the present invention that when the tourniquet tensioning device is formed of metal, it is easily portable while being very robust to potential breakage.

The tourniquet tensioning device according to the present invention may be used in combination with any suitable tourniquet, as detailed above.

By the term "user" as used herein is meant the person operating the tourniquet tensioning device according to the present invention. It will be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that this may be the injured person themselves, a responder to the incident, such as a member of the general public or a qualified responder such as a person having medical training, for example a paramedic, doctor, nurse or first aider.

By the term "desired tension" and like terms as used herein, is meant the tension of the tourniquet at which the tourniquet applies the appropriate compressive force to the extremity to enable control of the blood flow and blood loss from the limb to be minimised. It will be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that this desired tension will vary greatly depending upon many different factors associated with the injury, including the location of the injury, the extent of the injury, the properties of the material band and the knowledge and skill of the user.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of adjusting and/or maintaining the tension of a tourniquet using a tourniquet tensioning device, the tourniquet tensioning device comprising a tourniquet engagement portion having a retaining member at or toward a first end thereof, and a winding arm extending from at or toward a second end of the tourniquet engagement portion, the winding arm comprising securing means, the method comprising the steps of: (a) engaging the tourniquet engagement portion of the tourniquet tensioning device with the tourniquet, (b) winding the winding arm to adjust the tension of the tourniquet, and (c) securing the tourniquet at a desired tension by engaging the securing means with the tourniquet, which can include passing the winding arm between the skin and the tourniquet.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a tourniquet tensioning and/or maintaining assembly, the assembly comprising: (a) a tourniquet, and (b) a tourniquet tensioning device, wherein the tourniquet tensioning device comprises a tourniquet engagement portion having a retaining member at or toward a first end thereof, and a winding arm extending from at or toward a second end of the tourniquet engagement portion, the winding arm comprising securing means, wherein the tourniquet engagement portion is engaged with the tourniquet and the securing means is engaged with the tourniquet to secure the tourniquet at a desired tension.

According to a fourth aspect there is provided a tourniquet tensioning kit, the kit comprising: (a) a tourniquet, and (b) a tourniquet tensioning device, the tourniquet tensioning device comprising a tourniquet engagement portion having a retaining member at or toward a first end thereof, and a winding arm extending from at or toward a second end of the tourniquet engagement portion, the winding arm comprising securing means, wherein the tourniquet engagement portion is operable to engage with the tourniquet and, rotation of the winding arm allows a user to adjust the tension of the tourniquet, in use, the securing means being operable to secure the tourniquet at a desired tension by engagement of the securing means with the tourniquet, in use.

All of the features contained herein may be combined with any of the above aspects and in any combination.

Fora better understanding of the invention, and to show how embodiments of the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which:

Figure 1 shows a side view of a first embodiment of a tourniquet tensioning device according to the present invention; and

Figure 2 shows a side view of a second embodiment of a tourniquet tensioning device according to the present invention

Referring to Figure 1, there is provided a tourniquet tensioning device 102 having a tourniquet engagement portion 104 and a winding arm 106. The tourniquet engagement portion 104 is elongate and comprises a longitudinal axis along its length. The tourniquet engagement portion 104 is cylindrical (not shown) and is circular in cross-section (not shown) perpendicular to its longitudinal axis. The tourniquet engagement portion 104 has a retaining member 108 at its first end 103. The retaining member 108 is a hemisphere, having a flanged edge 109 perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the tourniquet engagement portion 104.

The winding arm 106 of the tourniquet tensioning device 102 extends from the second end 105 of the tourniquet engagement portion 104. The winding arm 106 extends from the tourniquet engagement portion 104 at an angle (a) that is generally perpendicular (at about 90°) to the longitudinal axis of the tourniquet engagement portion 104. The winding arm 106 is elongate and comprises a longitudinal axis along its length. The winding arm 106 is blade-like and rectangular and is rectangular in cross-section (not shown) perpendicular to its longitudinal axis.

The winding arm 106 comprises securing means 110 at its terminal end 107. The securing means 110 extend from the winding arm 106 in the same plane. The securing means 110 is a hook.

The tourniquet tensioning device 102 is formed from metal, however, it will be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that the material used to form the tourniquet tensioning device 102 may be varied.

Referring to Figure 2, there is provided a second embodiment of a tourniquet tensioning device 202 having a tourniquet engagement portion 204 and a winding arm 206. The tourniquet engagement portion 204 is elongate and comprises a longitudinal axis along its length. The tourniquet engagement portion 204 is cylindrical (not shown) and is circular in cross-section (not shown) perpendicular to its longitudinal axis. The tourniquet engagement portion 204 has a retaining member 208 at its first end 203. From the side view shown in figure 2, the retaining member 208 can be seen to have a generally bulbous shape, having semi-circular upper edge and being also rounded toward the engagement portion 204. However, in this embodiment, the retaining member 208 is substantially flat (planar) in cross section (not shown). The retaining member 208 further comprises an aperture 210 which is generally centrally disposed therethrough. The aperture 210 allows a user to safely secure the tensioning device 202 to, for example a keychain. The retaining member 208 generally has the appearance of the upper end of a key (the end of a key gripped by a user, in use).

The winding arm 206 of the tourniquet tensioning device 202 extends from the second end 205 of the tourniquet engagement portion 204. The winding arm 206 extends from the tourniquet engagement portion 204 at an angle (b) that is generally perpendicular (at about 90°) to the longitudinal axis of the tourniquet engagement portion 204. The winding arm 206 is elongate and comprises a longitudinal axis along its length. The winding arm 206 is blade-like and rectangular and is rectangular in cross-section (not shown) perpendicular to its longitudinal axis.

The winding arm 206 comprises securing means 210 at its terminal end 207. The securing means 210 extend from the winding arm 206 in the same plane. The securing means 210 extend from the winding arm 206 in generally the same plane as the substantially flat (planar) retaining member 208. The securing means 210 is a hook.

The tourniquet tensioning device 202 is formed from metal, however, it will be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that the material used to form the tourniquet tensioning device 202 may be varied.

In use, both embodiments of the tourniquet tensioning device 102/202 generally operate in a similar manner, as follows: the tourniquet engagement portion 104/204 is operable to engage with a tourniquet (not shown) and thus, enable the tourniquet tensioning device 102/202 to be attached to the tourniquet (not shown). By then rotating the winding arm 106/206 in either a clockwise or anticlockwise direction, the tension of the tourniquet (not shown) may be adjusted to a desired tension. In use, the securing means 110/210 of the tourniquet tensioning device 102/202 is operable, when the winding arm 106/206 is in same plane as the tourniquet engagement portion 104/204, to engage with the tourniquet (not shown) and secure the winding arm 106/206 and thus, the tourniquet tensioning device 102/102 to the tourniquet (not shown) at the desired tension. It will be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that the tourniquet tensioning device 102/202 may also be used to adjust the tension of the tourniquet (not shown) after initially having been secured by the engagement of the securing means 110/210, for example, to increase or decrease tension during treatment or allow for different treatment conditions.

The tourniquet tensioning device according to the present invention allows a user to simply and easily to secure a tourniquet with a robust and simple device. Furthermore, the device allows the user to firstly pass the winding arm between the skin and the tightened tourniquet before engaging the securing means (a hook) 110/210. Also, the provision of the retaining member 108/208 having a rounded end allows the tensioning device 102/202 to flip over, as required, so that the securing means (hook) 110/210 is pointing in the correct direction prior to securing.

Attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.

All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.

Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract or drawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one examples only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment(s). The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

Claims

1. A tourniquet tensioning device comprising: a tourniquet engagement portion having a retaining member at or toward a first end thereof, and a winding arm extending from at or toward a second end of the tourniquet engagement portion, the winding arm comprising securing means, wherein the tourniquet tensioning device is operable, in use, to engage with a tourniquet at the tourniquet engagement portion and, by rotation of the winding arm, allows a user to adjust the tension of the tourniquet and secure the tourniquet at a desired tension by engagement of the securing means with the tourniquet.

2. A tourniquet tensioning device according to claim 1, wherein the tourniquet engagement portion is generally elongate comprising a longitudinal axis along its length, wherein the tourniquet engagement portion may be generally cylindrical.

3. A tourniquet tensioning device according to claim 2, wherein the tourniquet engagement portion has a length of from 50 to 120mm.

4. A tourniquet tensioning device according to any preceding claim, wherein the tourniquet engagement portion comprises a roughened surface in order to prevent slippage of the tourniquet, in use.

5. A tourniquet tensioning device according to any preceding claim, wherein the retaining member comprises an edge that is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal length of the tourniquet engagement portion.

6. A tourniquet tensioning device according to any preceding claim, which further comprises an aperture therethrough.

7. A tourniquet tensioning device according to any preceding claim, wherein the winding arm extends from the tourniquet engagement portion at an orientation that is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the tourniquet engagement portion.

8. A tourniquet tensioning device according to any preceding claim, wherein the winding arm is generally elongate comprising a longitudinal axis along its length, wherein the winding arm is generally rectangular, may be flattened and may be substantially blade like in cross section.

9. A tourniquet tensioning device according to any preceding claim, wherein the winding arm has a length of from 50 to 120mm.

10. A tourniquet tensioning device according to any preceding claim, wherein the securing means comprise a hook, which may extend from at or toward the terminal end of the winding arm.

11. A tourniquet tensioning device according to any preceding claim, wherein the securing means is orientated in the same plane as the winding arm.

12. A method of adjusting and/or maintaining the tension of a tourniquet using a tourniquet tensioning device, the tourniquet tensioning device comprising a tourniquet engagement portion having a retaining member at or toward a first end thereof, and a winding arm extending from at or toward a second end of the tourniquet engagement portion, the winding arm comprising securing means, the method comprising the steps of: (a) engaging the tourniquet engagement portion of the tourniquet tensioning device with the tourniquet, (b) winding the winding arm to adjust the tension of the tourniquet, and (c) securing the tourniquet at a desired tension by engaging the securing means with the tourniquet, which can include passing the winding arm between the skin and the tourniquet.

13. A tourniquet tensioning and/or maintaining assembly, the assembly comprising: (a) a tourniquet, and (b) a tourniquet tensioning device, wherein the tourniquet tensioning device comprises a tourniquet engagement portion having a retaining member at or toward a first end thereof, and a winding arm extending from at or toward a second end of the tourniquet engagement portion, the winding arm comprising securing means, wherein the tourniquet engagement portion is engaged with the tourniquet and the securing means is engaged with the tourniquet to secure the tourniquet at a desired tension.

14. A tourniquet tensioning kit, the kit comprising: (a) a tourniquet, and (b) a tourniquet tensioning device, the tourniquet tensioning device comprising a tourniquet engagement portion having a retaining member at or toward a first end thereof, and a winding arm extending from at or toward a second end of the tourniquet engagement portion, the winding arm comprising securing means, wherein the tourniquet engagement portion is operable to engage with the tourniquet and, rotation of the winding arm allows a user to adjust the tension of the tourniquet, in use, the securing means being operable to secure the tourniquet at a desired tension by engagement of the securing means with the tourniquet, in use.