Abstract:
An emergency stretcher kit is used in the treatment of certain bone and joint injuries. The kit includes a mat formed with an absorbent layer and an impermeable layer. A pocket attached to the absorbent layer contains a dual compartment packet having a thermal composition inside. The seal between the compartments is broken and the thermal composition is mixed to create an endothermic reaction to cool the pocket. The mat has Velcro straps and contact adhesive patches to secure the mat on a backboard and about the patient.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to the field of emergency medical care. The emergency stretcher kit may be used in initial treatment of a patient or First Aid to stabilize and transport an injured person. The device is useful in alleviating the effects of shock and, also, swelling that accompany bone and joint injuries. The device is especially helpful when used with a stretcher or backboard in situations where head and spinal injury is present or suspected. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     When an unexpected injury occurs, there are several immediate actions recommended, including preventing shock, stabilizing the injured part of the body to prevent further injury, and transporting the patient to a medical facility. In addition, applying a cold compress will reduce swelling while awaiting proper diagnosis and treatment. Also, in situations in which the patient is bleeding, it is necessary to attempt to stop the bleeding and to contain the spilled blood for sanitary disposal. 
     Usually, each of the aforementioned functions is accomplished with a different instrument or apparatus. What is needed in the emergency trauma art is an integrated system which can be quickly and easily deployed and applied to the patient to simultaneously provide certain necessary treatments. 
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART 
     There are many types of First Aid kits designed for many different possibilities of injury. Most kits include a carrying case and several bandages and implements for use on the injured member. 
     There are some thermal blankets with connections and internal tubing for circulating a thermal fluid, either hot or cold, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,072,875 and 6,086,609. The thermal fluid is applied to the appropriate part of a body by blanket or bandage. 
     Also known in the prior art, as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,150,707, are thermal packs having gel forming polymers inside. These packs may be heated or frozen before use and conveniently disposed of after use. 
     What is lacking in the prior art is a system that does not require extraneous apparatus to produce a thermal packet for application to an injured body member. 
     Also, there is a need for a system for use with spinal and head injuries to reduce swelling that may be used in conjunction with a conventional backboard that stabilizes the spine during movement. It has been found that a reduction in the core body temperature decreases multiple pathophysiological events occurring to the spinal cord and brain as a result of such injuries, including acute brain trauma and spinal cord injury. 
     Further, there is a need for a blanket or covering for the patient that absorbs and holds large amounts of liquids without becoming saturated or leaking. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An emergency stretcher kit for use in the treatment of certain bone and joint injuries. The kit includes a mat formed with an absorbent layer and an impermeable layer. A pocket attached to the absorbent layer contains a dual compartment packet having a thermal composition inside. The seal between the compartments is broken and the thermal composition is mixed to create an endothermic reaction to cool the pocket. The mat has Velcro straps and contact adhesive patches to secure the mat on a backboard and about the patient. 
     Accordingly, it is an objective of the instant invention to teach the use of a emergency stretcher kit that includes a mat for applying about an injured patient to adjust body heat provide protection from the elements. 
     It is a further objective of the instant invention to teach the use of a two component thermal packet in conjunction with the mat to prevent swelling of the injured member. The thermal packet is stored at ambient temperature but become cold when the two elements are mixed within the packet. The thermal packet may reduce the core temperature of the body by up to 10 degrees. 
     It is yet another objective of the instant invention to teach the use of a supplemental cover mat to completely encase the patient. 
     It is a still further objective of the invention teach the use of the mat with other devices for stabilizing a patient, such as a backboard or stretcher. 
     Other objectives and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein are set forth, by way of illustration and example, certain embodiments of this invention. The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments of the present invention and illustrate various objects and features thereof. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
     FIG. 1 shows a plan view of the absorbent surface of the mat; 
     FIG. 2 shows a plan view of the impermeable surface of the mat; 
     FIG. 3 show a plan view of the impermeable surface of the cover mat; and 
     FIG. 4 shows a perspective of a dual compartment packet. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The emergency stretcher kit has a mat  10  that may be made in various sizes and shapes to accommodate different patients. In the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the mat  10  is of a general shape to conform with a supine person. The major length of the mat approximates the height of an average person and the minor width approximates the width of the shoulders and the thickness of the body. The mat  10  is made of a layer  11  of non-woven polypropylene fibers continuously bonded to an impermeable layer  12  of polyester or polyethylene film. The layers may be bonded together by heat sensitive adhesive. The fibrous layer is absorbent and retains liquids well because of the interstices between fibers. Because of the absorbency of the mat, any hazardous materials, including blood, are retained in the mat until proper disposal. This construction also allows for adjusting and maintaining the patient&#39;s body heat. 
     The central area  13  is designed to be located adjacent the neck and spine of a patient. An elongated pocket  14  is centrally formed on the absorbent layer of the central area. It extends along the major length of the mat a distance approximating the length of the spine. The periphery of the pocket may be heat sealed to the absorbent layer or otherwise attached by adhesives. In the preferred embodiment, the pocket contains a dual compartment thermal packet  15 . However, one edge of the pocket may remain unattached for access to the interior space. This unattached edge may have cooperating fasteners, such as Velcro, snaps or buttons, for temporarily closing the pocket. The pocket  14  is made of a mesh material which houses a thermal packet or packets. 
     The thermal packet  15 , shown in FIG. 4, is made of a sealed impervious polymer material. An interior heat seal  50  is formed in the packet creating dual compartments. One compartment  16  has a food grade hydrocarbon gelling agent. The other compartment  17  has a composition, such as a mixture of ammonium nitrate and magnesium nitrate, that when mixed with the gelling agent forms an endothermic reaction to reduce the temperature of the composition. The reaction reduces an ambient temperature packet to near freezing condition. The packet  15  or a plurality of packets, as shown in FIG. 1, may be sealed in the pocket  14  or the packets may be carried separately from the mat until ready for use. 
     In another embodiment of the mat, secondary pockets  18  and  19  may be located near the periphery of the mat. These pockets approximate the location of the person&#39;s arms when the mat is in use and are designed to carry dual compartment thermal packets  15 . These pockets are constructed in accordance with the structure of the pocket  14 . 
     The opposite longitudinal edges,  20  and  21 , of the mat  10  each have a cooperating strap of Velcro,  22  and  23 , extending outwardly therefrom. These straps are used to secure the margins of the mat about the sides of a patient to maintain body heat and for transportation. 
     The embodiment shown in FIG. 2 may be used with a backboard or other device used to immobilize a patient&#39;s neck and back. The impermeable layer  12  has a plurality of attached adhesive patches  24 . The contact adhesive of these patches is exposed by removing a peel-away protective strip. The patches are then adhered to a backboard, stretcher, or other device to fix the position of the mat on the backboard. In this manner, the mat may be used to reduce swelling is spinal and head injury cases while the patient is immobilized for transport. The thermal packs will reduce the core of the body preferably in the range of 2 to 6 degrees. 
     The impermeable layer  12  also has attached to the longitudinal edges elongated panels of Velcro fasteners  25  and  26 . These strips are used to secure the cover mat  27 , shown in FIG.  3 . 
     The cover mat  27  is of similar dimensions as the mat  10  and is made of the same material. The cover mat has strips  28 ,  29  and  30 , of Velcro fasteners extending across the minor width of the cover mat. These strips cooperated with the fasteners  25  and  26  to temporarily adhere the cover mat to the mat. 
     In operation, the emergency stretcher kit would be carried in a carrying bag or the entire kit could be enfolded within the mat. The kit may be carried in emergency vehicles or by individuals. When the kit is deployed for use with an injured patient having a suspected spinal injury, the operator would peel off the cover strips from the contact adhesive patches  24  and adhere the mat to a backboard. The operator would then rupture the heat seal  50  in the packet and knead the packet until the elements are well mixed and the temperature is reduced. The backboard and mat are then placed under the patient so that the spine is immobilized and in contact with the cold pocket. The Velcro straps  22  and  23  are then secured to secure the mat about the patient. Depending on weather conditions or the condition of the patient, the cover mat may be used to cover the patient and the Velcro strips  25 ,  26 ,  28 ,  29  and  30  are used to secure the cover mat to the mat. 
     It is to be understood that while a certain form of the invention is illustrated, it is not to be limited to the specific form or arrangement of parts herein described and shown. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention and the invention is not to be considered limited to what is shown and described in the specification and drawings.