Pulse-Detecting Tourniquet for Venipuncture Pressure Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current tourniquet systems for venipuncture often fail to apply optimal pressure between systolic and diastolic blood pressures, leading to ineffective venous distension and increased vein access failure rates due to the inability to accurately measure and control pressure, particularly in elderly patients and those with weak veins.
Innovation Solution
A pressure-sensitive tourniquet system incorporating a pulse detecting arrangement, air pump, and solenoid valve, which automatically adjusts pressure to maintain optimal levels between arterial systolic and diastolic pressures, ensuring venous distension and facilitating venipuncture by blocking venous flow while allowing arterial flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a tourniquet is made from elastic material (rubber glove or rectangular piece), then it is inexpensive and disposable, but the applied pressure cannot be measured or controlled accurately
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines a disposable elastic tourniquet with a reusable pressure measurement and control system. The elastic material maintains its low-cost, disposable advantage while the integrated pressure sensor, pump, and valve system enables accurate pressure measurement and control, resolving the contradiction between cost and measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary pressure measurement and control system that mediates between the simple elastic tourniquet material and the requirement for precise pressure control. This intermediary layer allows the inexpensive elastic material to function effectively while achieving accurate pressure regulation through sensors and control mechanisms.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If pressure is applied above arterial systolic pressure, then arterial flow is occluded, but venous distension does not occur due to complete blood flow blockage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs feedback control by continuously monitoring arterial flow using a pulse sensor and adjusting the tourniquet pressure accordingly. The system maintains pressure below the systolic pressure threshold by detecting pulse presence, ensuring arterial flow remains open while achieving adequate venous distension, thus resolving the contradiction between preventing arterial occlusion and achieving reliable venous distension.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a pliable strap or latex strip tourniquet is used, then it prevents cross infection and is easy to clean, but it cannot be loosened gradually and requires both hands for positioning
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical tightening and loosening mechanism with an automated pneumatic system. The inflatable cuff with pump and valve allows for gradual, controlled pressure adjustment and loosening without requiring manual manipulation, while the disposable nature of the cuff maintains infection prevention benefits, resolving the contradiction between infection control and ease of operation.
4Adaptability or versatility
If a Velcro closure tourniquet is used, then it allows wider range adjustments and is easier to clean, but it cannot be loosened gradually and requires both hands for positioning
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the Velcro mechanical fastening system with an automated inflatable cuff system. This substitution maintains the adaptability for different arm sizes through adjustable cuff dimensions while enabling gradual pressure control and one-handed operation via automated pump and valve mechanisms, resolving the contradiction between adjustment range and ease of operation.
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 system significantly reduces vein access failure rates by accurately regulating pressure, ensuring effective venous distension and improving the success rate of venipuncture procedures, particularly in challenging patient groups.
Implementation Method 1
a pulse detecting third arrangement
Implementation Method 2
The second arrangement can include an air pump(s)
Implementation Method 3
The second arrangement can include an air pump(s) and a solenoid valve(s)
Data Source
AI summary
Exemplary systems, methods and computer-accessible mediums can be provided that can, for example, receive information related to a detection of a pulse of a patient(s), and increase a pressure using a hardware arrangement to reach a first pressure level corresponding to the pulse no longer being detected. The pressure can be decreased to reach a second pressure level corresponding to the pulse being again detected, and the pressure can be maintained at the second pressure level to facilitate a venipuncture of the patient(s).