First aid device to stop limb haemorrhages

Abstract

A first aid device (10) to stop limb haemorrhages is described, comprising a pressure band (10), a friction buckle (14) secured to one end of the pressure band (10), at least one tightening belt (16) secured at its ends on the pressure band (10) and at least one bar (20), of elongated shape, extending along a longitudinal axis (A) and provided with a slot (22) into which the at least one tightening belt (16) is inserted. The slot (22) of the bar (20) comprises an opening (24) to allow the at least one tightening belt (16) to be introduced into the slot (22) and pulled out from the same.

Description

[0001] “FIRST AID DEVICE TO STOP LIMB HAEMORRHAGES”

[0002] DESCRIPTION

[0003] Field of the Invention

[0004] The present invention concerns a first aid device and, in particular, a device to stop limb haemorrhages which is packaged in a sealed packaging.

[0005] Prior Art

[0006] Devices of this type are already known in the art, for example those described in the European patent applications n. EP1753344 and n. EP2425786. These devices are distributed in singleuse packages of compact shape and limited size to allow their transport and use in case of emergency, not only by certified first responders, but also by the same individual who suffered a limb injury. A haemostasis system containing a device of this type is generally part of the equipment carried by medical personnel, military personnel, tourist guides and escorts and the like.

[0007] The device essentially comprises a pressure band, a friction buckle secured at one end of the pressure band, at least one tightening belt secured at its ends on the pressure band and at least one cylindrical bar extending along a longitudinal axis and which is provided with a closed slot into which the tightening belt is inserted. An example of the bar of this known device is depicted in Figures 5 and 6.

[0008] The device further comprises a hooking member secured to the pressure band to hold the bar in position after it has been rotated so as to tense the tightening belt and allow it to be released from the holding position. The bar must indeed be cyclically released to loosen the tightening and anyhow allow some flow of blood to the injured limb. A label affixed to the hooking member can be used to record the time of application, so as to show the tightening and release times of the bar.

[0009] Although intuitive and equipped with specific instructions, the use of a similar device requires prior training of the personnel who will be using it. Packages containing training devices, which are distinct from packages containing devices intended for actual use, are therefore generally designed. According to conventions to date, packages containing devices intended for training demonstrations include a blue-colored bar, whereas single-use packages containing devices intended for their actual use include a black-colored bar.

[0010] During production, at least one tightening belt is inserted into the closed slot of the bar and therefore secured to the pressure band. Consequently, both packages with a blue-colored bar and packages with a black-colored bar must be designed. This involves the need to plan two different types of packages and to differentiate production according to market demands. Summary of the invention

[0011] That being said, an object of the present invention is to provide a first aid device to stop limb haemorrhages which can be used both for training and actual use during an emergency response.

[0012] A further object of the present invention is to design a single type of package which comprises multiple types of devices of the type mentioned above and which can be used during training or actual use.

[0013] These and further objects are achieved by the present invention which concerns a device according to claim 1. Further peculiar characteristics of the present invention are set forth in the respective dependent claims.

[0014] A first aid device to stop limb haemorrhages generally comprises a pressure band, a friction buckle secured to one end of the pressure band, at least one tightening belt secured at its ends on the pressure band and at least one bar, of elongated shape, extending along a longitudinal axis and provided with a slot into which the at least one tightening belt is inserted.

[0015] In the device according to the present invention, the slot of the bar comprises an opening to allow the at least one tightening belt to be introduced into the slot and pulled out from the same.

[0016] This makes it possible to use a device according to the invention as required by the circumstances. For example, if the device is provided with a bar of a first preset color (i.e. black), in which the at least one tightening belt is previously inserted into the respective slot for its actual use in case of emergency response, it is possible to pull out the bar of the first preset color from the at least one tightening belt and to use a different bar, of a second preset color (i.e. blue) by introducing the at least one tightening belt into the respective slot through the opening present in the slot itself.

[0017] A haemostasis system to stop limb haemorrhages and which includes at least two operating bars of different colors can therefore be provided, wherein each operating bar has a slot comprising an opening to allow to the at least one tightening belt of a device according to the invention to be introduced and pulled out.

[0018] The opening of the slot present in the bar can be constituted by a slit inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis of the bar. This allows to easily introduce and pull out the at least one tightening belt into / from the slot of the bar.

[0019] In an embodiment of the present invention, the bar can have a central portion with a substantially oval or elliptical section at the slot. The slot extends along a longitudinal axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the bar and is offset from the center of the central portion having oval or elliptical section. This gives high strength to the bar in the step during which the necessary torque onto the at least one tightening belt has to be exerted.

[0020] After the at least one tightening belt has been tensed by rotating the bar, the latter can be engaged in a hooking member which is secured to the pressure band to hold the bar in position and to allow it to be released from the holding position.

[0021] Brief description of the drawings

[0022] Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become clearer in the following description made by way of example and without limitations with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings, not to scale, in which:

[0023] - Figure l is a plan view of a device according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0024] - Figure 2 is an enlarged side view of a bar of the device of Figure 1;

[0025] - Figure 3 is a further enlarged sectional view, according to the plane III-III of the bar depicted in Figure 2;

[0026] - Figure 4 is an enlarged plan view of the operating bar of Figure 2;

[0027] - Figure 5 is a side view of a bar made according to the prior art; and

[0028] - Figure 6 is an enlarged sectional view, according to the plane V-V, of the bar of the prior art depicted in Figure 5.

[0029] Detailed description

[0030] A first aid device 10 comprising a pressure band 12 to which a friction buckle 14 is secured at an end thereof is depicted in Figure 1. The other end, or free end, of the pressure band 12 is intended for being engaged in the friction buckle 14 after the pressure band 12 has been wrapped around the injured limb in which the haemorrhage must be stopped. The device 10 further comprises at least one tightening belt 16 which is secured at its ends on the pressure band 12.

[0031] The at least one tightening belt 16 is inserted into a slot 22 (visible in Figures 2 and 3) of an operating bar 20 made of plastic or metal material, which has an elongated shape and extends along a longitudinal axis A. The slot 22 of the bar 20 comprises an opening 24 to allow the at least one tightening belt 16 to be introduced into the slot 22, as well as the tightening belt 16 to be pulled out from the slot 22. In the embodiment described herein, only one tightening belt 16 is depicted for sake of clarity, but it is important to note that the tightening belts 16 can be two, for example, both secured at their ends on opposite parts of the pressure band 12, so as to form two loops to be inserted into the slot 22.

[0032] The device 10 further comprises at least one hooking member 30 secured to the pressure band 12 to hold the bar 20 in position and to allow it to be released from the holding position. The hooking member can be made, for example, like a “C” shaped arch.

[0033] After having applied the pressure band 12 to the injured limb, the bar 20 can be rotated to tense the at least one tightening belt 16 and tighten it on the pressure band 12.

[0034] Once a tightening condition sufficient for stopping the haemorrhage has been reached, the bar 20 can be held in position by the hooking member 30. The bar 20 must however be periodically released from the hooking member 30 to reduce the grip exerted by the at least one tightening belt 16 on the pressure band 12 applied to the injured limb and allow a minimum flow of blood to the limb. The bar 20 will therefore be rotated again and put back on the hooking member to stop the haemorrhage again.

[0035] As highlighted in Figure 2, the opening 24 providing access to the slot 22 is constituted by a slit inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis A of the bar 20. The slot 22 is arranged in a central portion 28 and extends along a longitudinal axis parallel to the longitudinal axis A of the bar 20 and is offset from it. The tab 25 superimposed on the slot 22 is slightly flexible and can be slightly raised to facilitate the insertion of the at least one tightening belt 16, therefore simultaneously allowing the slit forming the opening 24 to be protected.

[0036] The central portion 28 of the bar 20, which has a substantially oval or elliptical section at the slot 22, is highlighted in the view of Figure 3. The section of the central portion 28 can therefore bear the force needed to exert its action on the tightening belt(s) 16.

[0037] As highlighted in Figure 4, markings 26, which allow to easily understand whether the tightening belt(s) 16 is / are correctly inserted into the slot 22, can be designed on the bar 20.

[0038] A device 10, as the one described so far, can therefore be packaged as a haemostasis system in which at least two operating bars 20 of different colors are comprised, so as to be able to be used both for training and actual use. Each bar 20 comprised in the package of the system will have a slot 22 comprising an opening 24 to allow to the tightening belt 16 to be introduced and pulled out.

Claims

CLAIMS1. First aid device (10) to stop limb haemorrhages, comprising:- a pressure band (12);- a friction buckle (14) secured at one end of said pressure band (10);- at least one tightening belt (16) secured at its ends on said pressure band (10);- at least one bar (20) of elongated shape, extending along a longitudinal axis and provided with a slot (22) into which said at least one tightening belt (16) is inserted, characterized in that the slot (22) of said bar (20) comprises an opening (24) to allow said at least one tightening belt (16) to be introduced into the slot (22) and pulled out from the same.

2. Device (10) according to claim 1, wherein said opening (24) is constituted by a slit inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis (A) of said bar (20).

3. Device (10) according to claim 1, wherein said bar (20) has a central portion (28) with a substantially oval or elliptical section at said slot (22), and wherein said slot (22) extends along a longitudinal axis parallel to the longitudinal axis (A) of the bar (20) and is offset from the center of the oval or elliptical section of the central portion (28).

4. Device (10) according to claim 1, further comprising at least one hooking member secured to said pressure band (10) to hold said bar (20) in position and to allow it to be released from the holding position.

5. Haemostasis system to stop limb haemorrhages, comprising a device according to claims 1 to 4 and at least two bars (20) of different colors, each bar (20) having a slot (22) comprising an opening (24) to allow said at least one tightening belt (16) to be introduced and pulled out.

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