Occlusion Attachment Device for a Tourniquet and Methods Associated Therewith
An occlusion attachment device for coupling with a tourniquet includes a projection that can be attached using a platform to a portion of a tourniquet in an emergency situation, thereby providing a modified tourniquet that includes the projection. Clip-on, slide-on, and clamping structures associated with the platform are described.
1 . An occlusion attachment device for quickly coupling with a tourniquet, the occlusion attachment device comprising:
a bulbous projection attached to a platform, the bulbous projection having a tip located at least 0.5 inch from the platform, the platform further including two oppositely facing surfaces for engaging the tourniquet.
2 . The occlusion attachment device of claim 1 , wherein the two oppositely facing surfaces include a first surface and an oppositely facing second surface, wherein the first surface of the platform is associated with a first lateral side of the platform, wherein the oppositely facing second surface of the platform is associated with a second lateral side opposite the first lateral side of the platform.
3 . The occlusion attachment device of claim 1 , wherein the two oppositely facing surfaces include a first surface and an oppositely facing second surface, wherein the first surface of the platform is associated with a floor of the platform.
4 . The occlusion attachment device of claim 3 , wherein the oppositely facing second surface of the platform is associated with a level opposite the floor of the platform.
5 . The occlusion attachment device of claim 4 , wherein the level opposite the floor of the platform is interconnected to the floor of the platform by a lateral side of the platform.
6 . The occlusion attachment device of claim 4 , wherein the level opposite the floor of the platform is interconnected to the floor of the platform by a hinge.
7 . The occlusion attachment device of claim 6 , wherein the hinge is a living hinge.
8 . The occlusion attachment device of claim 1 , wherein the bulbous projection is adapted for attaching to the tourniquet without the use of any tools.
9 . The occlusion attachment device of claim 1 , wherein the bulbous projection comprises a shape selected from the group consisting of a portion of a sphere and a portion of an ellipsoid.
10 . An occlusion attachment device for coupling with a tourniquet, the occlusion attachment device comprising:
a platform having a bulbous projection, wherein the platform includes means for quick-connection coupling to the tourniquet.
11 . The occlusion attachment device of claim 10 , wherein the bulbous projection is adapted for attaching to the tourniquet without the use of any tools.
12 . The occlusion attachment device of claim 10 , wherein the bulbous projection comprises a shape selected from the group consisting of a portion of a sphere and a portion of an ellipsoid.
13 . An assembly for occluding blood flow, comprising:
(a) a tourniquet comprising;
a strap;
a windlass operatively associated with the strap;
a bendable base interconnected to the strap;
a buckle interconnected to at least one of the strap and the bendable base; and
means for securing the windlass from rotating; and
(b) an occlusion attachment device for coupling to the tourniquet, the occlusion attachment device including a bulbous projection, the occlusion attachment device not forming part of the tourniquet;
wherein the tourniquet is operable as a blood occluding device with or without association with the occlusion attachment device.
14 . The assembly of claim 13 , wherein the occlusion attachment device includes a platform.
15 . The assembly of claim 14 , wherein the platform includes a first surface and an oppositely facing second surface, and wherein the first surface and the oppositely facing second surface are adapted for engaging a portion of the tourniquet.
16 . The assembly of claim 15 , wherein the portion of the tourniquet comprises one of the strap and the base.
17 . The assembly of claim 15 , wherein the first surface of the platform is associated with a first lateral side of the platform.
18 . The assembly of claim 17 , wherein the oppositely facing second surface of the platform is associated with a second lateral side opposite the first lateral side of the platform.
19 . The assembly of claim 15 , wherein the first surface of the platform is associated with a floor of the platform.
20 . The assembly of claim 19 , wherein the oppositely facing second surface of the platform is associated with a level opposite the floor of the platform.
21 . The assembly of claim 15 , wherein the first surface of the platform is associated with a first jaw member of the platform.
22 . The assembly of claim 21 , wherein the oppositely facing second surface of the platform is associated with a second jaw member opposite the first jaw member of the platform, and wherein the first jaw member is hingedly attached to the second jaw member.
23 . The assembly of claim 13 , wherein the occlusion attachment device is adapted for attaching to the tourniquet without the use of any tools.
24 . The assembly of claim 13 , wherein the bulbous projection comprises a shape selected from the group consisting of a portion of a sphere and a portion of an ellipsoid.
25 . The assembly of claim 13 , wherein the occlusion attachment device can slide longitudinally along the bendable base of the tourniquet after being attached to the base.