Abstract:
An anti-necrosis tourniquet device utilizes an air compressor, programmable through a microprocessor, to enable a user to set periodic cycles of increased and decreased pressure in a pressure cuff as a temporary measure to address a severely hemorrhaging wound on an extremity. When a situation arises to employ a tourniquet, the cuff is applied to a proximal region of the wound. The device is activated to increase pressure in the cuff to occlude the flow of blood to the wound for a programmed period of time after which the program decreases pressure in the cuff to supply blood to the wounded extremity for another selected time period to obviate necrosis of the tissue. This modulated cycle is repeated until a patient receives full medical treatment.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present invention was first described in and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/049,634 filed Sep. 12, 2014, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to a tourniquet device that utilizes an air compressor to set periodic cycles of increased and decreased pressure in a pressure cuff. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The standard treatment for traumatic injuries to limb areas with large amounts of bleeding is to apply a tourniquet until proper medical treatment such as surgery can be performed. However the process of stopping the bleeding with a traditional tourniquet often requires stopping all blood flow to any bodily region subsequent to the limb. If left unchecked, such cessation of blood flow can cause necrosis of tissues, nerve damage, and even result in limb death resulting in amputation. 
     Therefore, when using a tourniquet, trained personnel are taught to periodically release the pressure to let a small amount of blood through to keep the downstream tissues supplied with oxygenated blood. Unfortunately, in many emergency situations, there is either no one or to few people present to continuously monitor the pressure of a tourniquet. Similar problems exist in large trauma centers, on ambulances, and military combat situations. 
     Accordingly, there exists a need for a means by which a tourniquet can be monitored in an automatic and foolproof manner. The use of the tourniquet device provides the ability to stop excessive bleeding in limb areas in emergency situations without worry of causing additional injuries due to necrosis. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The inventor has recognized the aforementioned inherent problems and lack in the art and observed that there is a need for an anti-necrosis tourniquet device. 
     It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a tourniquet comprising a cuff, an air compressor in pneumatic communication with the cuff, a pressure sensor in pneumatic communication with the air compressor and a control module in electrical communication with the air compressor and the pressure sensor. The control module provides a selectable means for setting, maintaining, and varying an air flow generated by the air compressor and delivered to the cuff based on a high pressure level, a high pressure time, a low pressure level and a low pressure time. The air compressor is secured within the control module and the cuff is configured to be wrapped around a body part of a patient. 
     The control module comprises a case which comprises a planar bottom, a front wall, a rear wall and a pair of vertical sidewalls formed perpendicularly along horizontal edges of the bottom to define a hollow interior, an interactive digital display located on one of the walls of the case, a keypad located adjacent to the display, a circuit board located within the interior, a power source located within the interior, a microprocessor located within the interior, a discharge valve located within the interior and in pneumatic communication with the air compressor, an accumulator located within the interior and in pneumatic communication with the discharge valve and a supply connector located on one of the walls of the case and in pneumatic communication with the accumulator and the discharge valve to the case. The control module also comprises a cover removably attached and at least one hinged angular support bracket projecting outwardly. The circuit board is in electrical communication with the power source, the interactive digital display, the keypad, the microprocessor and the discharge valve. 
     The air compressor is secured within the case. The air compressor is controlled by the microprocessor and the air compressor delivers the air flow to the cuff sufficient to occlude a flow of blood of the body part below the cuff. The pressure sensor comprises a pressure transducer. The power source is an internal rechargeable battery. The power source is an external power supply via a receptacle. To the case is secured a handle. 
     The tourniquet further comprises an air hose. The first end of the air hose comprises a first hose connector capable of being removably connected to the supply connector and a second end of the air hose comprises a second hose connector capable of being removably connected to a cuff connector of the cuff. The cuff is a rectangular air bladder. The cuff further comprises an adjustment mechanism for adjusting a length thereof. The hinged angular support bracket is a formed metal loop with corrosion resist plating. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is an isometric view of an anti-necrosis tourniquet device  10  in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is an isometric view of the bottom  46  of the case  42  of the system  10  in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is an isometric view of the rear exterior of the case  42 ; 
         FIG. 4  is an operational block diagram of the system  10  in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention; and, 
         FIG. 5  is an operational block diagram of the system  10  in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTIVE KEY 
     
         
           10  anti-necrosis tourniquet system 
           16  tourniquet 
           20  restrictive cuff 
           22  hook-and-loop fastener 
           24  cuff connector 
           26  cover 
           28  cylinder 
           30  air hose 
           32  first end 
           34  first hose connector 
           36  second end 
           38  second hose connector 
           40  control module 
           42  case 
           46  bottom 
           48  cover 
           50  handle 
           52  sidewall 
           54  interior 
           56  footpad 
           58  angular support bracket 
           62  front face 
           64  display 
           66  supply connector 
           68  rear face 
           70  keypad 
           72  power button 
           74  set button 
           76  start/increment button 
           78  disconnect/decrement button 
           79  indicia 
           92  receptacle 
           94  battery 
           96  battery charger 
           100  air compressor 
           102  air line 
           104  pressure sensor 
           106  discharge valve 
           108  accumulator 
           112  circuit board 
           114  microprocessor 
           124  alternate microprocessor 
           130  alternate keypad 
           132  start button 
           134  suspend button 
           136  upper limb button 
           138  lower limb button 
           210  high pressure level 
           220  high pressure time period 
           230  low pressure level 
           240  low pressure time period 
       
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of its preferred embodiment, herein depicted within  FIGS. 1 through 4 , and an alternate embodiment, herein illustrated within  FIG. 5 . However, the invention is not limited to the described embodiment, and a person skilled in the art will appreciate that many other embodiments of the invention are possible without deviating from the basic concept of the invention and that any such work around will also fall under scope of this invention. It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced items. 
     The present invention describes an anti-necrosis tourniquet (herein referred to as the “system”)  10 , which provides a means to apply potentially life-saving emergency medical treatment to the victim of a severely hemorrhaging extremity wound by placing a tourniquet  16  on the extremity which has the ability to alternately apply pressure, by means of a pneumatic restrictive cuff  20 , to stop the flow of blood to the injury for a selected time period so as to reduce blood loss and then permit the flow of blood to the extremity for another selected period of time, by reducing the air pressure in the restrictive cuff  20 , to obviate necrosis of the tissue in that extremity. The system  10  is provided with a programmable control module  40  which houses a microprocessor  112  containing the control logic for setting, maintaining, and varying the air pressure to the restrictive cuff  20 , as well as an air compressor  100 , and other ancillary equipment for achieving and monitoring that pressure. An alternate embodiment is envisioned to be provided with operating parameters which are pre-programmed into an alternate microprocessor  124  to more narrowly control the system  10  to a specific individual having a site-specific injury. It should be noted that since the size of the users to which this system  10  may be useful can vary considerably, there must be a range of sizes applicable to certain components of the system  10  implicit in any embodiment without limiting the scope of the invention. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , an isometric view of the system  10  according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The system  10  includes a control module  40 , a restrictive cuff  20 , and an interconnecting air hose  30 . The restrictive cuff  20  is generally a rectangular air bladder composed of a resilient polymer material which is intended to be wrapped circumferentially around a lower, or an upper, extremity of a trauma victim to form a cylinder  28 . The restrictive cuff  20  is preferably provided with a hook-and loop fastener  22 , such as VELCRO®, so as to be able to adjustably secure the restrictive cuff  20  to the extremity as described. Disposed along an outer cylindrical surface of the restrictive cuff  20  is a cuff connector  24  which is a pneumatic fitting to enable the removable connection of an air hose  30  for the purpose of injecting air into the bladder, or removing air from the bladder as necessary. The inflatable air bladder may be provided with any type of textile cover  26  to improve the comfort of a fit around the extremity or to provide some measure of abuse protection for the bladder. 
     The air hose  30  is preferably a silicone hose having an interior diameter and wall thickness commensurate with the operating pressures and flow rates of the system  10 . The length of the air hose  30  in a preferred embodiment would be sufficient to accommodate a patient lying in a prone position and having the control module  40  located on a support structure several feet away with adequate length to allow an attending medical technician ample space to work around the patient. A first end  32  of the air hose  30  is provided with a first hose connector  34  capable of being removably connected to a supply connector  66  preferably located on a front face  62  of the control module  40 , as depicted in  FIG. 1 . A second end  36  of the air hose  30  is provided with a similar or complimentary second hose connector  38  capable of being removably coupled to the cuff connector  24  on the restrictive cuff  20 . Many types and sizes of such connectors  24 ,  34 ,  38 , and  66  are commercially available from several suppliers and should not be considered as limiting the scope of the system  10 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the control module  40  includes a case  42  having a front face  62  with a display  64  and a keypad  70 , an internal rechargeable battery  94 , an air compressor  100 , and a microprocessor  112 . The case  42  is preferably a metal enclosure with a protective coating, generally configured to be a rectangular polyhedron having a length, width, and height sufficient to accommodate the components to be placed therein. The case  42  is comprised of a planar bottom  46  with four (4) planar vertical sidewalls  52  formed perpendicularly along the horizontal edges of the bottom  46  in one (1) piece to define a hollow interior  54 . The case  42  is provided with a removable cover  48  to isolate the interior  54  while allowing provisional access for assembly and servicing of internal components. The sidewalls  52  may be sealed along all vertical abutting edges with any of a variety of polymeric materials, or by mechanical means, to further isolate the interior  54  from ambient environmental conditions, such as elevated moisture levels or dust. It is understood that other materials, such as rigid thermoplastics or composite materials, and other methods of fabrication, may be utilized in the construction of the case  42  without limiting the scope of the system  10 . 
     Disposed along a first vertical sidewall  52  is a front face  62  provided with an interactive digital display  64  and a keypad  70  for user control of the system  10 . A rear face  68 , located on an opposing parallel sidewall  52  from the front face  62  is provided with a receptacle  92  for the insertion and retention of a power cord jack. In a preferred embodiment, the power supply is comprised of a 12-volt/14-volt direct current electrical supply from an external source, such as an automobile electrical system. It is envisioned that a commercially available power cord with an included transformer and current rectifier may also be employed for powering the system  10  and recharging the internal battery  94 . A supply connector  66 , as previously discussed, is preferably located on the front face  62  of the control module  40  to removably attach a first hose connector  34  of the air hose  30  to the air supply and control circuit of the control module  40 . Disposed on the exterior of the bottom  46 , as depicted in  FIG. 2 , is a plurality of rubber or rubber-like footpads  56  intended to provide increased frictional force to obviate any relative motion between the control module  40  and a support surface. The bottom  46  of the case  42  may also be provided with one (1) or more hinged angular support brackets  58  to selectively elevate the front face  62  relative to the rear face  68  to improve the visibility of the display  64  to a user. The angular support bracket  58  is configured to be a formed metal loop, having a protective plating to inhibit corrosion, capable of maintaining a stowed position against the bottom  46  of the case  42  as well as a deployed position with the longitudinal axis of the angular support bracket  58  approximately perpendicular to the bottom  46  of the case  42 . It is envisioned that in some embodiments at least one (1) carrying handle  50  may be attached to some portion of the case  42  to facilitate the conveyance of the control module  40  with a patient who is being transported on a gurney or a stretcher. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , an operational block diagram of the system  10 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. Contained within the control module  40  and in electrical communication with an external power supply via the receptacle  92  is a battery charger  96  with over-current protection incorporated to recharge the battery  94 . The battery  94  is preferably a NiMh storage cell; however, any rechargeable, dry-cell device capable of electrochemically delivering a sufficient level of electrical power to energize all of the components of the electrical circuit, using any current battery technology, may be utilized. 
     The circuit board  112  is in electrical communication with the battery  94  or the external power supply, as well as a microprocessor  114 , an air compressor  100 , a pressure sensor  104 , a discharge valve  106 , the display  64  and the keypad  70 . The air compressor  100  is physically located within the case  42  of the control module  40  and provides an air supply, at a rated flow up to a maximum pressure level for the inflation of the restrictive cuff  20  via the air hose  30 . The air compressor  100  is any commercially available combination of a small-voltage, direct current motor coupled to an air compressor having an internal construction capable of delivering the requisite air flow to inflate the restrictive cuff  20  within an acceptable period of time and elevating that volume of air to a pressure level necessary to occlude the flow of blood in any human extremity by the constrictive force applied by the restrictive cuff  20 . The preferred air compressor  100  for this system  10  is a model KPM32E-12A air compressor as manufactured by Koge Electronics, LTD.®. The air compressor  100  is controlled by the microprocessor  114  to activate when a flow of air is required to maintain the pressure set point of the high pressure level  210  or the low pressure level  230 . The air compressor  100  is in pneumatic communication with the supply connector  66  on the front face  62 , and hence the air hose  30  and the restrictive cuff  20 , by means of an air line  102  within the control module  40 . The air line  102  is preferably high strength polymeric tubing having an interior diameter and wall thickness commensurate with the operating pressures and flow rates of the system  10 . The air line  102  is attached to the various pneumatic components such as the air compressor  100 , the pressure sensor  104 , and the discharge valve  106 . The air pressure within the system  10  at any point in time is monitored by the pressure sensor  104  located on the circuit board  112 . The pressure sensor  104  is a standard, commercially available pressure transducer which is in pneumatic communication with the pneumatic components of the system and translates any pressure to an electrical signal in communication with the microprocessor  114 . In use, the air compressor  100  is activated to supply air to the restrictive cuff  20 , via the supply connector  55  and the air hose  30 , resulting in the inflation thereof up to a high pressure level  210  set point programmed into the microprocessor  114  in a procedure to be detailed later. When the high pressure level  210  set point is achieved, as measured by the pressure sensor  104 , the air compressor  100  will be deactivated. The pressure sensor  104  will continue to measure the pneumatic pressure in the system  10  and provide continuous feedback, via an electrical potential, to the microprocessor  114 . If at any point in the duration of the high pressure time period  220 , as programmed into the microprocessor  114  by a user in a procedure to be detailed later, the pressure in the system falls below the high pressure level  210  set point, the air compressor  100  will again be reactivated to increase the pressure. An accumulator  108  is preferably incorporated into the pneumatic system prior to the supply connector  66  in order to reduce fluctuations in the air pressure caused by leakage in the system  10 . The accumulator  108  is a vessel capable of storing a reservoir of air, typically involving a diaphragm under spring loading. 
     Upon the termination of the high pressure time period  220 , the microprocessor  114  will send an electrical current to the discharge valve  106  which will, upon activation, release a certain volume of air from the restrictive cuff  20 , via the air hose  30 , the supply connector  66 , and the air line  102 , so as to permit a decrease of the air pressure in the restrictive cuff  20  to a level equal to the low pressure level  230  according to the value programmed into the microprocessor  114  in a procedure to be detailed later, and measured by the pressure sensor  104 . The microprocessor  112  will keep the air compressor  100  deactivated during this transition period, but will permit the reactivation during the low pressure time period  240  as necessary. The microprocessor  114  will maintain the low pressure level  230  set point, as measured by the pressure sensor  104 , during the low pressure time period  240  as programmed into the microprocessor by a procedure to be detailed later. It must be understood that the pressure of the entire pneumatic system will be reduced to this low pressure level  230  set point including pressure in the accumulator  108 . At the termination of the low pressure time period  240 , the microprocessor  114  will execute another cyclic iteration of the program. 
     The continued disclosure of the display  64  and the keypad  70 , as depicted in  FIG. 1 , will incorporate a preferred procedure to program the microprocessor  114  as discussed previously. The display  64  on the front face  62  of the case  42  of the control module  40  is preferably a two-line LCD module capable of providing information pertinent to the programming and visualization of high pressure level  210 , low pressure level  230 , high pressure time period  220 , and low pressure time period  240 . It is understood that other interactive readout devices, such as a touch screen monitor with corresponding modifications to the keypad  70 , may be utilized without limiting the scope of the system  10 . The keypad  70  is configured to be a plurality of momentary contact switches, activated by touch, for the operation of the system  10  and the input of program parameters into the microprocessor  114 . The preferred arrangement of the keypad  70  involves the utilization of four (4) switches as illustrated in  FIG. 1 . Indicia  79  on these buttons  72 - 78  may include symbols, abbreviations, or other alphanumeric character substitutions indicative of the function thereof. It is understood that any variation in the indicia  79  depicted does not modify the scope or intent of the system  10  and this embodiment does not preclude any other embodiments. A power button  72 , preferably labeled as “PWR” is depressed to permit electrical energy from a standard power source to flow into the control module  40  in order to charge the on-board battery  94  and energize the circuit board  112 . If the control module  40  is not connected to an external power source through the power cord  82 , then the control module is powered only by the self-contained battery  94  with the depression of the power button  72 . The activation of the power button  72  is confirmed by the appearance of some numerical value appearing in the display  64  for the values of high pressure level  210  as indicated by some equivalent abbreviation nomenclature such as “HP”, high pressure time period  220  as “HT”, low pressure level  230  by “LP”, and low pressure time period  240  as “LT”. This information may be presented in a two-line format. The high pressure level  210  (“HP”) is the pneumatic pressure in the restrictive cuff  20 , as measured in millimeters of a mercury column (mmHg) of a manometer at the pressure sensor  104 , to occlude the flow of blood in the patient&#39;s extremity. The high pressure time period  220  (“HT”) is the time interval, as measured in minutes, for which the high pressure level  210  (“HP”) will be exerted in the restrictive cuff  20 . The low pressure level  230  (“LP”) is the pneumatic pressure in the restrictive cuff  20 , as measured in millimeters of a mercury column (mmHg) of a manometer at the pressure sensor  104 , to allow the flow of blood to freely circulate within the patient&#39;s extremity. The low pressure time period  240  (“LT”) is the time interval, as measured in seconds, for which the low pressure level  230  (“LP”) will be exerted in the restrictive cuff  20  to permit blood to circulate within the patient&#39;s extremity. The microprocessor  114  will preferably be initially pre-programmed with certain values for these set points. In order to treat the patient immediately, the start/increment button  76  is depressed to activate the cyclic functioning of the system  10  utilizing whatever set points had previously been programmed into the microprocessor  114 . 
     The programming of the microprocessor  114  can be altered as necessary by depressing the set button  74 . Upon the initial depression of the set button  74 , the display  64  will show a value for the high pressure level  210  (“HP”) in a cyclic pattern of a numerical value followed by a blank value indicating that the value may be reset. This resetting of the set point value can be accomplished by increasing the set point value with a depression, or a series of depressions, of the start/increment button  76 , or decreasing the set point value, as appropriate, by depressing the dual-function disconnect/decrement button  78 . When the desired value of the set point of the high pressure level  210  (“HP”) is cyclically shown in the display  64 , that value can be entered by a second depression of the set button  74 . This second depression of the set button  74  will write the selected value for the high pressure level  210  (“HP”) into a permanent memory section of the microprocessor  114  thus replacing any value that had previously existed. This second depression of the set button  74  will simultaneously advance the program to the next set point to be entered, which will be the high pressure time period  220  (“HT”). Upon the second depression of the set button  74  the set point value of the high pressure level  210  (“HP”) will be shown on the display  64  and the set point value of the high pressure time period  220  (“HT”) will be cycling between some numerical value and a blank. The high pressure time period  220  (“HT) set point value can be reset by again depressing the start/increment button  76  to increase the time period, or depressing the disconnect/decrement button  78  to decrease the time period as deemed appropriate. The available range for the value of the high pressure time period  220  (“HT”) is five to thirty minutes (5-30 min.). A value less than five minutes (5 min.) will not be accepted as a usable set point by the microprocessor  114 . If the set point value of the high pressure time period  220  (“HT”) exceeds thirty minutes (30 min.) the display  64  will preferably register “CON” indicating that the microprocessor  114  will exert a pressure level in the restrictive cuff  20  equivalent to the high pressure level  210  (“HP”) set point and discontinue any cyclic reduction thereof. This mode of operation would continue in this manner until such time as the preferred programming of the microprocessor  114  could be aborted. A third depression of the set button  74  will write the selected value for the high pressure time period  220  (“HT”) into a permanent memory section of the microprocessor  114  as well as advancing the program to the next set point to be entered, which will be the low pressure level  230  (“LP”). Upon the third depression of the set button  74  the set point values of the high pressure level  210  (“HP”) and the high pressure time period  220  (“HT”) will be shown on the display  64  and the set point value of the low pressure level  230  (“LP”) will be cycling between some numerical value and a blank. This set point can be selected by the depression of the start/increment button  76  or the disconnect/decrement button  78  as previously described for the preceding set points. A fourth depression of the set button  74  will write the selected value for the low pressure level  230  (“LP”) into a permanent memory section of the microprocessor  114  as well as advancing the program to the final set point to be entered, which will be the low pressure time period  240  (“LT”). The value for the low pressure time period  240  (“LT”) will be blinking and can be reset by the depression of the start/increment button  76  or the disconnect/decrement button  78  as previously described for the preceding set points. A fifth depression of the set button  74  will write the selected value for the low pressure time period  240  (“LT”) into a permanent memory section of the microprocessor  114  as well as conclude the programming of the microprocessor  114 . This fifth depression of the set button  74  will preclude the use of the start/increment button  76  for incrementing any set point value and can only now be utilized to start the proper function of the system  10 . The system  10  will not function in the intended manner to follow the pattern of alternately increasing the pneumatic pressure in the restrictive cuff  20  to occlude the flow of blood and decreasing the pressure in the restrictive cuff  20  to allow free circulation of blood within the extremity until the start/increment button  76  is depressed. After this final depression of the start/increment button  76  the system  10  will continue to function according to the logic of the microprocessor  114  utilizing the set point values programmed during the set-up procedure until such time as the disconnect/decrement button  78  is depressed. Upon this depression of the disconnect/decrement button  78  the control logic of the microprocessor  114  will be suspended and all of the pneumatic pressure in the restrictive cuff  20 , as well as within the control module  40  will be exhausted to the atmosphere via the discharge valve  106 . At this point the electrical power is still available to the circuit board  112  and the control logic of the microprocessor  114  can reinstitute the normal function of the system  10  according to the set point parameters previously programmed by the depression of the start/increment button  76 . The depression of the power button  72  following the depression of the disconnect/decrement button  78  will suspend the transmission of electrical power to the system  10  and the restrictive cuff  20  may be disconnected from the air hose  30  and removed from the patient. It is understood that any variation in the preferred method of programming of set point variables or the sequence thereof does not modify the scope or intent of the system  10  and this embodiment does not preclude any other embodiments. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , an operational block diagram of the system  10  in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. In an alternate embodiment the control module  40  is provided with an alternate microprocessor  124  and an alternate keypad  130 . The basic function of the system  10  remains essentially the same with the restrictive cuff  20  being supplied with air, from the air compressor  100  through the air line  102 , the supply connector  66 , and the air hose  30 , in an alternating pattern of high occlusion pressure for some period of time followed by a low pressure to allow blood circulation for a short period of time and repeating in that manner until a wound can be addressed by medical professionals in a proper setting. The major difference with the alternate embodiment, aside from deriving electrical power for the control module  40  only from a self-contained battery  94 , is that the set points for the high pressure level  210  (“HL”), the high pressure time period  220  (“HT”), the low pressure level  230  (“LP”), and the low pressure time period  240  (“LT”) would be incorporated into the control logic of the alternate microprocessor  124  so as to eliminate the need for a trained operator. The system  10  would be administered by the patient in the absence of other individuals. The alternate keypad  130  is configured to have a power button  72  to provide a means to turn the system  10  on and off. Additionally, the alternate keypad  130  will be equipped with an upper limb button  136 , a lower limb button  138 , a start button  132 , and a suspend button  134 . Indicia  79  on these buttons  132 - 138  may include symbols, abbreviations, or other alphanumeric character substitutions indicative of the function thereof. The upper limb button  136  will select the set points for the parameters  210 - 240  of the control logic based upon conditions as seen for a wound in an arm of a typical adult male patient. Other embodiments can be tailored to other typical patients. The lower limb button  138  will select the set points for the parameters  210 - 240  of the control logic based upon conditions as seen for a wound in a leg of a typical adult male patient. The start button  132  will allow the system  10  to begin a normal sequence of operation according to the set points of the variables  210 - 240  which were preprogrammed into the control logic of the alternate microprocessor  124  according to the selection of the upper limb button  136  or the lower limb button  138 . In use, either the upper limb button  136  or the lower limb button  138 , depending on the location of a wound, would be depressed prior to the engagement of the start button  132 . Depression of the suspend button  134  will result in the control logic of the microprocessor  114  being stopped and all of the pneumatic pressure in the restrictive cuff  20 , as well as within the control module  40  will be exhausted to the atmosphere via the discharge valve  106 . At this point the electrical power is still available to the circuit board  112  and the control logic of the alternate microprocessor  124  can reinstitute the normal function of the system  10  according to the set point parameters previously selected by the depression of the upper limb button  136  or the lower limb button  138 . The depression of the power button  72  following the depression of the suspend button  134  will turn off the system  10  and the restrictive cuff  20  may be disconnected from the air hose  30  and removed from the patient. 
     The preferred embodiment of the present invention can be utilized by a specially trained individual in a straightforward manner. After procurement of the system  10 , it would be connected to an external power supply to allow the internal battery  94  to be charged to full capacity by the battery charger  96 . The method of installing and utilizing the system  10  may be achieved by performing the following steps: placing the restrictive cuff  20  in a proximal position to a wound either on an upper or a lower extremity of a patient; engaging the hook-and-loop fastener  22  to secure the restrictive cuff  20  to the extremity; connecting the first hose connector  34  of the hose  30  to the supply connector  66  of the control module  40 ; connecting the second hose connector  38  of the hose to the cuff connector  24  of the restrictive cuff  20 ; depressing the power button  72  of the keypad  70  to turn on the system  10 ; manipulating the set button  74 , the start/increment button  76 , and the disconnect/decrement button  78  to program the high pressure level  210 , the high pressure time period  220 , the low pressure level  230 , and the low pressure time period  240  parameters into the microprocessor  114  to define the system  10  operation according to the previously detailed procedure; depressing the start/increment button  76  to activate the programmed operation of the system; monitor the patient and attend to other medical needs as necessary until the patient is delivered to the location where proper medical treatment is available such as a hospital, clinic or the like; depress the disconnect/decrement button  76  after an alternate means of controlling bleeding from the wound or injury has been put in place; depress the power button  72  to turn off the device  10  and remove the restrictive cuff  20 . 
     The alternate embodiment of the present invention can be utilized by an individual with limited medical training. It is anticipated that the alternate embodiment of the system  10  would be utilized in situations when the arrival of a trained medical professional could not be reasonably predicted and a wound, or injury, would exacerbate an already life-threatening situation, such as battlefield conditions. The method of installing and utilizing the alternate embodiment of the system  10  may be achieved by performing the following steps: placing the restrictive cuff  20  in a proximal position to a wound either on an upper or a lower extremity of a patient; engaging the hook-and-loop fastener  22  to secure the restrictive cuff  20  to the extremity; connecting the first hose connector  34  of the hose  30  to the supply connector  66  of the control module  40 ; connecting the second hose connector  38  of the hose to the cuff connector  24  of the restrictive cuff  20 ; depressing the power button  72  of the alternate keypad  130  to turn on the system  10 ; depressing the upper limb button  136  if the wound is located in an arm, or alternately depressing the lower limb button  138  if the wound is located in a leg; depressing the start button  132  to activate the programmed operation of the system and attempt to proceed to a location where trained medical assistance can be gained. A doctor or other trained medical personnel will turn the system  10  off and remove the restrictive cuff  20  after an alternate means of controlling bleeding for the wound is put in place. It is anticipated that in the utilization of the alternate embodiment of the system  10  the user and the patient may be the same individual. 
     The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.