GB2587819A - Tourniquet device - Google Patents

Abstract

A tourniquet device 1 has a housing 3 carrying a light emitting device and a flexible strap 2 which enters and exits housing 3, typically in transverse directions. Strap 2 has a connector at one end and housing 3 has a complementary connector 4 for receiving connector 2. In an arrangement, strap 2 enters the underside of housing 3 and exits from a transverse side of the housing. A loop of strap 2 may be formed beneath the underside of housing 3 such that a patients’ limb is constricted between strap 2 and the underside of housing 3. The underside of housing 3 may be substantially flat. The light emitting device may be on an underside of housing 3.

Description

Tourniquet Device The present invention relates to a tourniquet device.

Tourniquet devices are known and are sometimes referred to as ligature devices or by other names. Their common feature is a flexible band that can be tightened around a limb or other body part in order to restrict blood flow for medical reasons. Such devices are standard, frequently used medical devices and are routinely carried by doctors, paramedics and other medical personnel. Such devices may also typically be found in first aid kits.

Exemplary prior art tourniquet devices are disclosed in for example U52004/0127938 and U56217601. Such devices include an elasticated band to which is secured a buckle housing intermediate the ends of the band and a terminal connector at one end of the flexible elasticated band. The portion of the band extending between the strap mounted buckle housing and the terminal connector can be looped around the body part of the patient (for example the patients limb) and the terminal connector can be mated with the buckle housing (typically in snap fit connection style). The free end of the strap can then be pulled through the strap mounted buckle housing in order to tighten the band around the body part of the patient. The buckle connection is typically quick release to facilitate easy removal of the device from the body part of the patient at the appropriate time following completion of the medical intervention.

The terms tourniquet and ligature may be used interchangeably and relate to a general class 25 of device including a flexible tightenable band for medical procedures.

According to the present invention, there is provided a tourniquet or ligature type device comprising a flexible band and carrying a light emitting device.

In one embodiment it is preferred that the light emitting device is mounted on-board a rigid element secured on the flexible strap or band.

hi certain embodiments it is desirable that the light emitting device is mounted in a housing secured on the flexible strap or band. Electrical components enabling operation of the light may be provided in the housing, which may beneficially mount a switch actuator for operation of the light emitting device Beneficially, the tourniquet or ligature device includes first and second connector elements secured to spaced apart portions of the strap band, the connector elements being arranged to engage with one another. The connector elements may comprise plastics snap-fit. quick-release connectors, as are well known in the art. Beneficially, the light emitting device is mounted on-board one of the connector dements.

hi one embodiment the respective connector element may have a first side provided with a connector formation for connection with the other connector element, the light emitting device being secured at the side of the connector opposed to the first side.

It is preferred that the light emitter device may be usable whilst mounted to the tourniquet device hi certain embodiments it may be desirable for the light emitter device to be de-mountable 20 from the tourniquet device to be usable whilst de-mounted from the tourniquet device The invention will now be described, by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which figure 1 is a schematic view of a prior art tourniquet device (shown for explanatory purposes only) and in which figures 2 and 3 are schematic 25 representations of a tourniquet device in accordance with the invention.

Referring to the drawing there is shown a tourniquet device (1) comprising an elasticated strap band (2) to which is secured a plastics moulded buckle housing (3) which is positioned intermediately between the ends of the strap band. A terminal connector (4) is provided at one end of the flexible elasticated strap band (2). The buckle housing (3) is movable, with effort along the strap band but securely attached thereto, being clamped to the strap band in the manner of a webbing belt fixing that is well known in this and other areas of technology. The portion (2a) of the strap band (2) extending between the strap band mounted buckle housing (3) and the terminal connector (4) can be looped around the body part of the patient (for example the patients limb) and the terminal connector (4) can be mated with the buckle housing (3) in a snap fit connection (as indicated by arrow A in the figure). The free end (5) of the strap band can then be pulled through the strap mounted buckle housing (3) in order to tighten the strap band (2) around the body part of the patient.

The buckle connection is typically quick release to facilitate easy removal of the device from the body part of the patient at the appropriate time following completion of the medical intervention. In the embodiment shown the connection between the strap mounted buckle housing (3) and the terminal connector (4) is male/female and the male connector comprises the terminal connector(4) and the female connector is in the form of a receiving socket (6) integrally moulded with the strap mounted buckle housing (3). It should be appreciated that other arrangements can be envisaged, and particularly the positions of the male and female connector elements could be reversed.

In accordance with the present invention the device caries a light generation arrangement including a light (7) which may be a light bulb, LED or other device which is conveniently mounted in the buckle housing (3). The light (7) is mounted externally on the housing on the opposite side of the housing (3) to the buckle connector formation (in this embodiment the female socket 6). This is believed to provide the most advantageous arrangement for use. A light switch (8) is also mounted externally on the housing (to one side of the housing) for operation of the light (7).

The remainder of the light generation arrangement is disposed internally of the buckle housing (3) and comprises a power source (such as one or more batteries) and the required circuitry and connections to enable operation of the light bulb or LED in response to activation of the switch. In one embodiment the device could include a solar cell/photodiodc device and storage means enabling the use of batteries to be dispensed with or a solar cell/photodiode device to charge the battery. The buckle housing may comprise an openable casing permitting the battery and/or electrical light bulb. LED or the like to be replaced.

In use the tourniquet can be used in the conventional manner despite the presence of the 5 light emitting device on-board the tourniquet. In circumstances in which the practitioner requires a light for illumination purposes, then provided the practitioner is in possession of the tourniquet device, an illumination device is conveniently at hand. Medical practitioners can often benefit from a torch or light being to hand, for example in order to conduct neurological examinations, ophthalmic examination, for ear nose and throat investigations for example. Frequently such a torch or light may not he being carried, but a tourniquet device may be.

The light emitter device may be usable whilst mounted to the tourniquet device.

Alternatively, or additionally the light emitting device could be demountable from the tourniquet device for use. This could be achieved for example by having a separable housing for the light emitting device that is connected in a demountable manner to the buckle connector (3) or other structure of the tourniquet device.

The device has been described with the light emitting device mounted on-board the tourniquet device by means of mounting with the buckle housing (3). In other embodiments it is envisaged that the light emitting device could be mounted on-board the tourniquet device by other means for example by being mounted to the strap band 2 (for example at the free end 5 of the strap band 2), or mounted to the terminal buckle connector (4). Furthermore, the light emitting device could be demountable from the tourniquet device for use The embodiments described are intended to illustrate aspects of the invention rather than limit the scope of the invention, and those skilled in the art will be capable of designing alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by 30 the appended claims.

Referring to drawing 2. Thick black arrows are used to show the direction of the elastic band and how it wraps itself around the buckle in order to bold the device flat on the patients arm.

Point A is the anchor point of the clip and the clips locking position on the buckle. The elastic band is permanently attached on the clip using steel screws. At the other end of the elastic band, there is a small handle permanently moulded, so that the user can pull it tight when the device is in use.

The elastic band exits at point A and wraps around the buckle's bottom housing. It then passes through point B, underneath the bottom housing, traversing through the inside of the device assembly, exiting from point C. In this way a lasso is created under the device and simultaneously the device is held firm on the patients' arm.

The main difference with other buckle tourniquets is that the elastic band is fixed at point 15 A and enters inside the device from the bottom of the buckle, instead of the side adjacent to point A. Described in detail and with reference to figure 3 in addition to figure 2, attached at the end of the elasticated strap or band 102 is a buckle terminal connector 104 largely as described in relation to figure 1. This buckle terminal connector 104 is fixed to the end of the strap or band 102 with screws so that it is permanently attached to the end of the strap or band. The buckle terminal connector 104 can be locked into (and released from) the complementary receiving connector 103 on the device housing, exactly as described in relation to the earlier described embodiments.

The free end 105 of the strap or band exits from the opposite side of the device housing at exit point C. At the exit point C the band or strap 102 is pinched or clamped by the exit aperture at C, in the manner of a webbing belt fixing that is known in the art such that the band or strap 102 can be pulled (with force) through the exit aperture C in order to tighten the tourniquet.

Before exiting at point C (through aperture 113) the strap or band 102 enters the device housing through aperture 109 which is provided at point B on the underside of die housing.in this way, as shown in figure 3, a lasso loop 110 is formed underneath the underside of the device housing, by the band or strap 102. When the free end of the strap or band is pulled to tighten the tourniquet, the patients' arm (shown in dashed -not to scale -in in figure 3) is constricted between the band or strap 102 and the device housing 111. The flat underside 112 of the device housing 113 sits directly on the patients' arm. This provides a more stable positioning of the device and makes the device easier to use.

Claims (8)

1. Claims: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.A tourniquet device comprising a flexible strap or band and a housing carrying a light emitting device, the housing further being provided with: a connector at one side of the housing for receiving the end of a complementary mating connector fixed proximate one end of the strap or band; and an entry point for passage of the strap or band into the housing, the entry point being on the underside of the housing; and an exit point for passage of the strap or band out of the device.
2. A tourniquet device according to claim 1, wherein the direction of entry of the strap or band connector into the device is transverse to the direction of passage of the band into the device at the entry point on the underside of the housing.
3. A tourniquet device according to claim lor claim 2, wherein the exit point for passage of the strap or band out of the device is provided on the side of the device opposite to the connector at the side of the housing.
4. A tourniquet device according to any preceding claim wherein the underside of the housing is substantially flat.
5. A tourniquet device according to any preceding claim wherein the light emitting device is provided on a side of the device.
6. A tourniquet device comprising: a housing; a light emitting device mounted to the housing; a flexible strap or band entering and exiting the housing in transverse directions, and provided at one end with a connector for being received in a complementary connector provided on the housing.
7. 7. A tourniquet device according to claim 6, wherein the strap or band enters the underside of the housing and exits from a side of the housing.
8. 8. A tourniquet device according to any preceding claim, wherein a loop of the strap or band is formed beneath the underside of the housing such that the patients' limb is constricted between the strap and the underside of the housing