Patent ID: 8425551
Filing Date: 2013-04-23
Classification: A61B,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A low-cost tourniquet cuff apparatus for encircling a patient's limb at a desired location on the limb, comprising: a first sheet formed of gas impermeable flexible material that includes a first thermoplastic polymer; a second sheet formed of gas impermeable material that is positioned facing the first sheet and that includes a second thermoplastic polymer; a gas-tight peripheral seal joining the first sheet directly to the second sheet around a perimeter of those sheets to form an inflatable bladder within the perimeter, wherein the bladder has a length; a securing strap attached to the cuff apparatus and adapted to allow surgical staff to encircle the cuff apparatus around the limb at a desired location on the limb so that the bladder overlaps upon itself; a stiffener fitting inside the bladder and sized to extend substantially the length of the bladder but not the entire bladder length, and to fit completely within the peripheral seal, the stiffener including a stiffener surface facing the first sheet and formed of a material that includes a thermoplastic polymer, wherein the polymers of the stiffener surface and the first sheet are selected to have physical properties that facilitate welding together; wherein the stiffener surface is separate from the second sheet and the stiffener surface is welded to the first sheet at a location within the bladder and away from the peripheral seal, and a tubular port connected to the bladder for directing gas into the bladder from a tourniquet instrument to which the port may be releasably connected.