WO1992005741A1

WO1992005741A1 - A wrap-around fastener

Info

Publication number: WO1992005741A1
Application number: PCT/AU1991/000458
Authority: WO
Inventors: John Herbert Overton; David Doig Chalmers
Original assignee: John Herbert Overton; David Doig Chalmers
Priority date: 1990-10-04
Filing date: 1991-10-04
Publication date: 1992-04-16

Abstract

A wrap-around fastener preferably embodied as a tourniquet (1) is disclosed. The tourniquet (1) includes a first length (2) of elasticised material and a second length (3) of material joined to a buckle (5) connectable with the first length (2). Arranged on respective sides of the first length (2) is a hook (10) and loop (11) fastener. A distal end (7) of the second length (3) has arranged on both sides a hook fastener (10) adapted to fasten to a first end (6) of the first length (2) to form a loop. The buckle (5) can then be moved to tighten the loop formed by the connected lengths (2 and 3) whereupon the free end (13) of the first length (2) can be wrapped around the loop such that the hook (10) and loop (11) fasteners engage. By stretching the first length (2) while being wrapped, the tourniquet (1) can provide sufficient constriction to stem arterial blood flow. The wrap-around fastener can also be used as a general purpose fastener.

Description

Λ HRAP-ARQUNP FASTENER Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to wrap-around fasteners and to tourniquets in particular. Disclosed is a tourniquet that can be applied using one hand if necessary and can be used to stem arterial blood flow. Background Art The use of the tourniquet in medical practice and first aid has passed through various stages of interest. Recently, its use has been frowned upon because generally, with unskilled use, more damage can be caused by the tourniquet than from the original injury. One example of such a use is the use of tourniquet 1n preventing poisionlng obtained by a venomous bite from a reptile or arachnid.

However, there are certain applications where the use of a tourniquet is not only preferred but may be the only available option to the injured person. For example, soldiers wounded in the field of battle may sustain extensive injuries, such as the loss of a forearm, and the only means by which the soldier or another can prevent the loss of life is by applying a tourniquet to stem massive blood loss.

However, known tourniquets and other devices adapted to be used as tourniquets, are typically insufficient 1n stemming massive blood loss. This is because generally they are only able to apply and maintain sufficient pressure to prevent venous blood loss from the exterior of the muscle or limb, whilst not being able to constrict arterial blood loss that occurs in the centre of the limb. Also, many known tourniquets are not able to be applied with one hand and hence are not necessarily suitable to be used by an individual attending to his own injury.

It is an object of the present invention to substantially overcome, or ameliorate, the abovementioned problems through provision of a fastening arrangement that can be used as a tourniquet. Summary of the Invention

In accordance with the present invention there is disclosed a fastener comprising a first length of elastic material having two co-operating fastening means arranged on respective sides of the material, and a second length of material shorter than the first length and adapted to be secured to the first length by a buckle means arranged at one end of the second length, one end of the first length having one of the co-operating fastening means arranged on each side and being adapted to join a portion of the other co-operating fastening means arranged at each side of the other end of the second length. Preferably, the fastening means comprises a velcro fastener. Also preferably, the buckle means is a double ring lock buckle. Also, preferably the fastening means is elastic to substantially match the elasticity of the elastic material. Most preferably, the fastener 1s useful as a tourniquet.

Brief Description of the Drawings

A number of preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings 1n which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the tourniquet configured prior to use;

Fig. 2 1s a side elevation of the tourniquet illustrating the arrangement of the fasteners; Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the tourniquet in a arrangement for use; and

Fig. 4 illustrates the tourniquet 1n a wrapped configuration for constriction or storage. Best and Other Modes for Carrying Out the Invention Referring to Fig. 1, a tourniquet 1 is shown consisting of a first length 2 and a second length 3, both of a cloth-like elastic material. The first length 2 has arranged on each side an elasticised fastener 4 formed of a multiple hook and loop pile commonly known in the art as a VELCRO (Registered Trade Mark) fastener. The second length 3 is secured to the first length 2 by a double ring lock buckle 5.

The buckle 5 is arranged to permit variations in size of the area of constriction formed by joining the ends 6 and 7 of the first length 2 and second length 3 respectively. The other end 8 of the second length 3 is threaded through the buckle 5 and secured by a sewn joint 9. The Velcro fastener 4 is also shown sewn 20 to the first length 2.

Referring to Fig. 2, the Velcro fastener 4 is shown illustrated comprising hook portions 10 and loop portions 11. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the portions 10 and 11 co-operate together to form the complete Velcro fastener 4. Also the portions 10 and 11 can be applied as continuous strips to the lengths 2 and 3. Also as shown in Fig. 2, the ends 6 and 7 have co-operating Velcro fastener portions 11 and 10 respectively arranged on each side of the lengths 2 and 3. This feature enables secure and accurate joining and fastening of the ends 6 and 7 to each other. Preferably, but not illustrated for the sake of clarity, the entire length of the first length 2 has the hook 10 and loop 11 portions affixed to it. The use of the tourniquet 1 will now be described with reference to Figs. 3 and 4.

To be used, the tourniquet 1 as configured In Fig. 1 1s arranged about a limb defined by the dashed lines 12 in Fig. 3. The ends 6 and 7 are joined by pressing the co-operating hook portion 10 of the end 7 against the loop portion 11 of the end 6. This fastens the tourniquet 1 about the limb and can be accomplished using one hand if necessary. The tourniquet 1 can be then tightened by pressing the buckle 5 to constrict the loop formed between the buckle 5 and the connected ends 6 and 7. This then commences constriction of vessels 1n the exterior of the Umb. The tourniquet 1 1s then further constricted by pulling on the free end 13 of the elasticised first length 2. This further tightens the loop previously formed to further constrict the Umb. The free end 13 1s then wrapped about the limb to engage the corresponding velcro fastening hook and loop portions 10 and 11 arranged on the first length 2. As the elasticised material 1s pulled and wrapped about Itself, to a configuration Illustrated 1n F1g. 4, the tourniquet 1 continues to tighten under tension applied by the user and fastens to Itself, thereby securing the constriction applied to the limb. Once fully wrapped and tightened as illustrated 1n Fig. 4, the tourniquet 1 can achieve constriction of arteries In the centre of the limb. This constriction, has been found to occur in trials even with Incomplete application.

The tourniquet 1 is intended for use by persons familiar with its operation and accordingly, such persons are able to achieve suitable application or self application of the tourniquet 1 using only one hand. It will also be understood by those skilled in the art that the use of elasticised or stretchable material and Velcro fasteners provide for the tourniquet 1 being adaptable to various sized limbs to various degrees of constriction. Thus, the tourniquet 1 is suitable for use on the thigh for example. The tourniquet a can be more easily applied or self applied to an injured thigh, by the addition of a "stiffener" such as a memory plastic material or strip of product that will maintain a flexible and yet curved arc on the leading edge of the tourniquet 1. Alternately the tourniquet 1 can be applied with the use of an optional flexible introduction rod or "Introducer" that can fit into an aperture 16 at the leading edge of end 7 (seen 1n Figs. 1 and 2⁾. The tourniquet 1 1s also able to be used to prevent the spread of venoms without stopping blood flow as moderate application of the tourniquet is possible and easily controlled.

It will also be understood by those skilled in the art that the tourniquet 1 can also be kept for stowage in a rolled configuration as seen in Fig. 4, and if applied with minimal pressure, will achieve venous constriction only.

In an alternative embodiment (not illustrated), the first length of material 2 need not be longitudinally elastic and can be a bladder or like device that 1s adapted for pneumatic, or hydraulic inflation. The bladder can be made of rubber in a manner similar to the bicycle tube and preferably has an inlet valve at Its distal free end (opposite the end 6⁾ for the supply of the inflating fluid. The Velcro fasteners 10 and 11 can be affixed to the bladder using elasticised adhesives or any other known means.

The alternative embodiment is particularly useful in operating theatres and other controlled environments where accurate control of the constriction pressure applied by the tourniquet is required. For example, a tourniquet using a bladder as material 2 can be applied loosely (without constriction) to a Umb as earlier described prior to the commencement of surgery. When desired, the tourniquet can then be "tightened" for constriction by injecting fluid into the bladder and maintaining pressure on the fluid. The fluid can be either a liquid or gas. A low pressure would achieve venous constriction whereas a high pressure would achieve arterial constriction, with the pressure being freely selectable by the surgeon. Due to the double wrapping of the tourniquet and its continuous Velcro fastening, the tourniquet remains firmly fixed around the limb.

Those skilled in the art will understand that the preferred embodiment described need not be used as a tourniquet and can be used as a tie-down fastener in a variety of applications. For example, the preferred embodiment can be used to secure a surfboard to roof racks mounted on a motor vehicle. In a further embodiment, the tourniquet 1 can be configured as a venous constricting tourniquet, as opposed to the arterial embodiment previously described. As a venous tourniquet, the second length 3 can be substantially shorter, similar to a tab, and can be non-elastic and manufactured primarily of hook fastening material on one or both sides. Also the first length of elastic material 2 need only have loop fasteners arranged one side, or both sides for a reversible tourniquet, as excessive pressure is not required. The fastening is achieved by sandwiching the short second length 3 between one end 6 of the first length, and its wrapped around free end 13.

The manner 1n which the Velcro fasteners are attached to the lengths 2 and 3 can be achieved in various ways apart from sewing as earlier described. For example, neoprene. rubber can be used as the elasticised material 2,3 and the Velcro 1s laminated for adhesion to the rubber surface. Also, in the inflatable embodiment, the bladder can be manufactured of neoprene rubber or any other air tight elastic, or, an existing bladder can be "pillow-slipped" in a material having a Velcro fastening surface.

The foregoing describes only two embodiments of the present invention and modifications, obvious to those skilled in the art can be made thereto without departing from the scope of the present invention.

For example, the Velcro fastener 4 can be replaced by suitably located studs arranged along each of the lengths 2 and 3. However, this arrangement is not preferred as the tension on the tourniquet 1 is not easily varied due to the specific distances between co-operating studs.

Claims

CLAIMS :

1. A fastener comprising a first length of elastic material having two co-operating fastening means arranged on respective sides of the material, and a second length of material shorter than the first length and adapted to be secured to the first length by a buckle means arranged at one end of the second length, one end of the first length having one of the co-operating fastening means arranged on each side and being adapted to join a portion of the other co-operating fastening means arranged at each side of the other end of the second length.

2. A fastener as claimed in claim 1, wherein said second length of material is elastic.

3. A fastener as claimed in claim 1, wherein said fastening means comprises co-operating hook and loop piles.

4. A fastener as claimed in claim 3, wherein one end of said first length has one of said hook and loop piles arranged on both sides thereof, and the other end of said second length has the other of said hook and loop piles arranged on at least one side thereof.

5. A fastener as claimed in claim 1, wherein said buckle means comprises a double ring lock buckle having three buckle posts and two apertures therebetween.

6. A fastener as claimed in claim 5, wherein said one end of said second length 1s secured to an end post of said buckle adjacent one of said apertures and said first length 1s passed through one of said apertures, biased about a central one of said posts to exit through the other of said apertures.

7. A fastener as claimed in claim 6, wherein said second length 1s secured using a sewn joint.

8. A fastener as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein said fastening means is elasticised to substantially match the elasticity of said elastic material .

9. A fastener as claimed in claim 1, wherein said fastening means covers the entire length of said first length.

10. A fastener as claimed in claim 1, wherein the other end of said second length includes an aperture into which a stiffening means is insertable into said second length.

11. A fastener as claimed 1n claim 1, wherein said first length comprises an inflatable bladder.

12. A fastener as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first length comprises a cloth-Uke material.

13. A fastener as claimed in claim 12, wherein said first length further comprises an Inflatable bladder Insertable Into said cloth-like material .

14. A tourniquet formed of a fastener as claimed in claim 1.