Device for roughly determining the pelvic circumference of an injured person

Abstract

Device for the approximate determination of the pelvic circumference of an injured person suspected of having an unstable pelvic fracture, with at least one measuring tape, characterized by that the measuring tape (9) has a zero mark (10) and several boundary marks (11 - 14) spaced apart from the zero mark (10), that different hip width ranges (15 - 17) are marked on the measuring tape (9) between the limit marks (11 - 14), and that this marking corresponds to a marking of hip circumference ranges that are specified in the product specifications of a particular pelvic sling.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a device for the approximate determination of the pelvic circumference of an injured person suspected of having an unstable pelvic fracture, using at least one measuring tape.

[0002] In practice, determining the pelvic circumference of an injured person is often problematic because, given the urgency required in such cases, measuring the pelvic circumference with a tape measure takes considerable time. This is primarily due to the fact that the tape measure would have to be passed under the injured person. Furthermore, reading a centimeter scale can sometimes be difficult, especially when adverse conditions such as darkness or the injured person's inaccessible position impair visibility. This problem often leads to the pelvic circumference of injured individuals being estimated, resulting in the application of incorrectly sized pelvic supports.A particular problem arises when choosing the wrong size for modern pelvic slings with inflatable air cushions, so-called "cuffs," which must be positioned precisely on the greater trochanter of an injured person. However, selecting the wrong size pelvic sling makes this precise positioning of the air cushions impossible, ultimately resulting in pelvic slings with air cushions causing more harm than good to the injured person.

[0003] The invention is therefore based on the objective of demonstrating a device of the aforementioned type with which a rough determination of the pelvic circumference of an injured person can be carried out reliably and quickly.

[0004] This problem is solved according to the invention by a device having the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims.

[0005] The device according to the invention for roughly determining the pelvic circumference of an injured person is characterized in that the measuring tape has a zero mark and several limit marks spaced apart from the zero mark, that different hip width ranges are marked on the measuring tape between the limit marks, and that this marking corresponds to a marking of hip circumference ranges specified in the product specifications of a particular pelvic sling. Thus, the device according to the invention provides a paramedic or emergency physician with a means by which they can easily and quickly read the hip circumference range to be determined for selecting the appropriate pelvic sling by simply placing the measuring tape against the hip of an injured person.The measuring tape is placed at the widest point of the buttocks, preferably at the level of the greater trochanters. Misjudgments of the pelvic circumference, and thus a deterioration of the injured person's health, are reliably avoided with the device according to the invention.

[0006] According to a first further development of the device according to the invention, at least three hip circumference ranges are marked on the measuring tape between the limit marks. Preferably, such a marking includes at least the capital letters S for "small", M for "middle", and L for "large". Depending on the manufacturer of the pelvic slings to be used with the device according to the invention and the marking used by the manufacturer in its product specifications, it is of course within the scope of the invention if the marking on the measuring tape includes numbers or additional information such as size.

[0007] Advantageously, the measuring tape also includes a reference to the manufacturer of the pelvic sling, ensuring that the paramedic uses the device according to the invention exclusively in conjunction with the pelvic slings provided for it.

[0008] In a further development of the invention, the measuring tape is a fabric-reinforced plastic tape. Such plastic tapes are characterized by their high flexibility and durability, allowing them to be wound and unwound countless times and then stored in a clothing pocket when wound up.

[0009] However, it is within the scope of the invention if the measuring tape is a color-coated steel tape. The color coating serves in particular as a means for applying easily legible boundary markers in the form of printing.

[0010] According to a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, the measuring tape is spring-loaded and wound onto an encapsulated roll. Thus, the device according to the invention is designed like a pocket tape measure, in which the measuring tape is automatically retracted, either by itself or by pressing a button, into a housing-like capsule, where it is protected from contamination and damage when not in use.

[0011] An embodiment of the invention, from which further inventive features emerge, is shown in the drawing. It shows: Fig. 1: A frontal view of a human pelvic area; Fig. 2: a device according to the invention in an application example on the human pelvic area according to Fig. 1; Fig. 3: the right-sided lateral view of the human pelvic region in the application example according to Fig. 2; Fig. 4: The left-sided lateral view of the human pelvic region in the application example according to the Fig. 2 and Fig. 3.

[0012] The Fig. Figure 1 shows a frontal view of a human pelvic region 1, consisting of a pelvic bone 2, two femurs 3, 4 and a vertebral column 5. In the area of ​​the trochanters 6, 7 formed on the femurs 3 and 4, the human pelvic region has its maximum hip width according to double arrow 8.

[0013] The Fig. Figure 2 shows the device according to the invention in an application example on the human pelvic region 1 according to Fig. 1, wherein the device comprises only a measuring tape 9 with a zero mark 10 and four limit marks 11, 12, 13, 14 spaced apart from the zero mark 10. Between the limit marks 11 to 14, hip width ranges 15, 16, 17 are marked on the measuring tape 9 with the capital letters S, M, and L, respectively, this marking corresponding to a marking of hip circumference ranges specified in the product specifications of a particular pelvic sling (not shown). Furthermore, the measuring tape 9 bears a reference 18 to the manufacturer of this particular pelvic sling to be used in conjunction with the device according to the invention. Identical body parts are provided with the same reference numbers.

[0014] The Fig. Figure 3 shows the right-sided lateral view of the human pelvic region in the application example according to Fig. 2. In this right-sided lateral view, it becomes clear that the measuring tape 9 with its zero mark 10 is at the trochanter 6 of the right femur 3 and thus at the level of the maximum hip width according to double arrow 8 in Fig. 1 is created. Identical areas are assigned the same reference numbers.

[0015] The Fig. Figure 4 finally shows the left-sided lateral view of the human pelvic region in the application example according to the Fig. 2 and Fig. 3. In this left-sided lateral view, it becomes clear that the measuring tape 9, with its end showing the boundary mark 14, is passed over the trochanter 7 of the left femur 4 and is thus also at the level of the maximum hip width according to double arrow 8 in Fig. 1 is applied to an injured person. In this application example, a hip circumference of size M can be read at the trochanter 7. Identical areas are also marked with the same reference numbers.

Claims

[1] Device for the approximate determination of the pelvic circumference of an injured person suspected of having an unstable pelvic fracture, comprising at least one measuring tape, characterized by , that the measuring tape (9) has a zero mark (10) and several boundary marks (11 - 14) spaced apart from the zero mark (10), that different hip width ranges (15 - 17) are marked on the measuring tape (9) between the limit marks (11 - 14), and that this marking corresponds to a marking of hip circumference ranges that are specified in the product specifications of a particular pelvic sling. [2] Device according to claim 1, characterized by , that on the measuring tape (9) between the boundary marks (11 - 14) at least three hip width ranges (15 - 17) are marked. [3] Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that the marking includes at least the capital letters S, M and L. [4] Device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by , that the measuring tape (9) has a reference (18) to the manufacturer of the pelvic sling. [5] Device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by , that the measuring tape (9) is a fabric-reinforced plastic tape. [6] Device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by , that the measuring tape (9) is a color-coated steel tape. [7] Device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by , that the measuring tape (9) is spring-loaded and wound on an encapsulated roll.

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