A Tourniquet

Abstract

A tourniquet of flexible material is disclosed. The tourniquet includes an elongate member having a first and a second end, the first end having a notch. The elongate member defines an aperture therethrough, proximate to the first end, for receiving the second end of the elongate member. In use, the elongate member comprises at least one engagement member disposed along its length to engage the aperture.

Claims

1. A tourniquet of flexible material including: an elongate member having a first and a second end, said elongate member defining an aperture therethrough, proximate to the first end, for receiving the second end of the elongate member when in use, said elongate member having at least one engagement member disposed along its length to engage the aperture wherein the first end defines a notch.

2. A tourniquet according to claim 1 wherein the at least one engagement member is configured to engage with the aperture defined by the first end of the elongate member.

3. A tourniquet according to claim 2 wherein the at least one engagement member is an indentation.

4. A tourniquet according to claim 3 wherein the elongate member has two substantially parallel edges along which the at least one indentation is located.

5. A tourniquet according to claim 1 wherein the elongate member includes a plurality of indentations.

6. A tourniquet according to claim 5 wherein the plurality of indentations are spaced along the elongate body on both of the substantially parallel edges so that there are two points of engagement with the aperture.

7. A tourniquet according to claim 1 wherein the flexible material is a silicone rubber.

8. A tourniquet according to claim 1 wherein the second end is tapered for ease of passage through the aperture.

9. (canceled)

Description

[0015] The invention may be performed in various ways and an embodiment will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0016] FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of a tourniquet according to the present invention;

[0017] FIG. 2 shows a second embodiment of a tourniquet according to the present invention;

[0018] FIG. 3 shows a profile view of the tourniquet shown in FIG. 2;

[0019] FIG. 4 shows a third embodiment of a tourniquet according to the present invention; FIG. 5 shows a fourth embodiment of a tourniquet according to the present invention; and FIG. 6 shows a fifth embodiment of a tourniquet according to the present invention.

[0020] FIG. 1 shows a tourniquet 10 having an elongate member 12 having a first end 14 and a second end 16. There is an aperture 18 proximate to the first end 14 through which the second end 16 is passed in order to wrap the tourniquet around a limb. The elongate member 12 has two substantially parallel edges 13, 15 having a plurality of engagement members 20 in the form of indentations which engage with the aperture 18 in use. In this embodiment, the engagement members 20 are equally spaced along both of the edges 13, 15 of the elongate member 12. The indentations 20 have a rounded inner surface to prevent tearing of the elongate member 12. The second end 16 is tapered for ease of passage through the aperture 18. The first end 14 defines a notch 22 which allows the first end 14 to deform, when the tourniquet is in use, which in turn deforms the aperture 18 to exert a gripping force on the engagement members 20.

[0021] FIG. 2 shows a tourniquet 10 having an elongate member 12 having a first end 14 and a second end 16. There is an aperture 18 proximate to the first end 14 through which the second end 16 is passed in order to wrap the tourniquet around a limb. The elongate member 12 has two substantially parallel edges 13, 15 having a plurality of engagement members 24 in the form of indentations which engage with the aperture 18. In this embodiment the engagement members 24 are opposite one another along the edges 13, 15 of the elongate member and are perpendicular to the length of the elongate member. The indentations 24 have a rounded inner surface to prevent tearing of the elongate member 12. The second end 16 is tapered for easy passage through the aperture 18. The first end 14 defines a notch 26 which allows the first end 14 to deform which in turn deforms the aperture 18 to exert a gripping force on the engagement members 24. FIG. 2 shows an alternative notch 26 which causes the first end 14 to deform which in turn causes the aperture 18 to deform. Which then exerts a gripping force on the engagement members 24.

[0022] FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the tourniquet of FIG. 2. It can be seen that the tourniquet is relatively thin compared to the length which reduces the cost of production of the tourniquet but also means the tourniquet is lightweight and flexible thereby meaning it is easy to manipulate, particularly one handed.

[0023] FIGS. 4 to 6 show alternative embodiments of the tourniquet having different engagement members 28, 30 and 32.

[0024] The physician can pass the tapered second end 16 through the aperture 18 to form a loop. This loop can then be passed over the limb of a person. The physician pulls on the second end 16 so that the elongate member 12 is contacted with the end of the aperture 18 which is closest to the notch 22, 26. The physician pulls on the second end 16 or elongate body 12 that has passed through the aperture 18 until a sufficient tension is applied to the limb to render the vein turgid and one of the indentations 20, 24, 28, 30, 32 engages with the aperture 18. The physician can then release the tourniquet 10 from his grip so that he can use two hands to attend to the patient whilst the tourniquet remains in place. Once the physician has finished treating the patient he can quickly release the tourniquet by deforming the elongate member 12 so that it is dimensioned to pass through the aperture 18. Alternatively, he can pull on the first end 14 of the elongate member 12 proximate to the notch 22, 26 which causes the aperture 18 to deform the elongate member 12 so that it easily passes through the aperture 18. The tourniquet 10 can then be slid off the body part once it is sufficiently loosened or the second end 16 can be passed back through the aperture 18. This quick release minimises the length of time a patient is subjected to pressure around their body part.

[0025] The present invention overcomes the problems of the prior art by providing an improved tourniquet. The features described in the foregoing description, or the following claims, or the accompanying drawings may, separately or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.