Intra-pelvic Compression Device for Hemorrhage Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current field medical devices, such as pneumatic tourniquets, are inadequate for effectively stopping internal abdominal hemorrhages caused by blunt trauma due to the difficulty in identifying the exact location and severity of the laceration, and may not be effective in cases where the hemorrhage is not directly observable or properly positioned.

Innovation Solution

A supplemental compression device made of rigid plastic, designed to increase internal pressure in the inguinal area by receiving an inflatable bladder from a pneumatic tourniquet, providing a flat base and a corrugated shape that conforms to the pelvic anatomy, thereby distributing pressure uniformly to control bleeding.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If pneumatic tourniquets are used to apply external pressure to stop abdominal hemorrhage, then some bleeding control is achieved, but the effectiveness is insufficient for internal organ lacerations because the pressure does not adequately increase intra-pelvic compartment pressure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehemorrhage control effectivenessVSAvoiddevice structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The intra-pelvic compression device is positioned inside the pelvic cavity, nested within the patient's anatomy. The device fits within the pelvic space and works in conjunction with external pneumatic tourniquets, creating a nested configuration where the internal device enhances the effectiveness of external pressure application by directly increasing intra-pelvic compartment pressure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The intra-pelvic compression device acts as an intermediary between external pneumatic tourniquets and internal hemorrhaging organs. It translates external pressure into effective intra-pelvic compartment pressure, mediating the pressure transmission to achieve better hemorrhage control for internal organ lacerations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If field responders use standard pneumatic tourniquets, then some pressure can be applied, but the exact location and severity of internal lacerations cannot be easily ascertained, reducing effectiveness

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of placementVSAvoidhemorrhage stopping effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The intra-pelvic compression device is designed as a universal solution that can be used with various pneumatic tourniquet systems. It provides multi-functionality by both increasing intra-pelvic compartment pressure and serving as a positioning aid that helps field responders correctly locate the pelvic hemorrhage source, making the system effective regardless of the specific trauma configuration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Loss of time

If transport to hospital is delayed for internal abdominal hemorrhage, then surgical treatment cannot be performed in time, but immediate field intervention is limited without proper diagnostic equipment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetime to definitive treatmentVSAvoididentification of bleeding location

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The intra-pelvic compression device enables preliminary hemorrhage control action to be taken immediately in the field before hospital transport. By providing effective pressure control capability that works for internal organ lacerations, it allows field responders to stabilize the patient's condition and reduce blood loss during the critical time before surgical intervention can be performed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The device enhances the occlusion effectiveness of pneumatic tourniquets by increasing intra-pelvic pressure, effectively stopping internal bleeding until the patient can receive surgical treatment, and is particularly useful in emergency situations where immediate medical facilities are unavailable.

Implementation Method 1

Pneumatic tourniquets use pneumatic pressure and generally are a targeted application of external pressure to an area of the body to stop blood flow in major blood vessels

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPneumatic pressure: Pressurisation

Data Source

PatentUS10555741B1Device to increase intra-pelvic compartment pressure for the controling of internal hemorrhage

Publication Date: 2020.02.11 COMPRESSION WORKS

AI summary

A device to increase intra-pelvic compartment pressure for the controlling of internal hemorrhages is presented. The device controls internal hemorrhaging by supplementing the occlusion effectiveness of a pneumatic tourniquet with a shaped device that increases the overall internal pressure in a human compartment, such as the inguinal area, to assist in the cessation of bleeding in that region. One side of the device includes a flat base that is adapted to be placed against a patient at the targeted body site. The other side has a generally corrugated shape that is sized to receive an inflatable, wedge-shaped bladder from the pneumatic tourniquet. The overall shape of the invention includes a tapered end that corresponds with the inferior angle of the pubic rami and pelvic area generally so that when pressed against the patient by the pneumatic tourniquet bladder a uniform distribution of pressure occurs over the inguinal area.