PELVIS SUPPORTING DEVICE

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for stabilising unstable pelvic fracture in victims of accident and comprises a belt (1) for fitting around the pelvis/hip region of a victim of accident, means (2, 13) in connection with the belt (1) for securing it in a tightened state against the victim of accident, and at least two first expandable means (3, 4) arranged so as to press against the victim of accident on the back side of his pelvis opposite the pelvic sockets upon expansion and to further tighten the belt (1).

Description: Pelvis supporting device The invention relates to a device for stabilising unstable pelvic fracture in victims of accidents. In most cases, a pelvic fracture occurs in a polytrauma where traffic accidents account for a substantial part thereof. Thus, m many cases the pelvic fracture co- occurs with thorax or abdominal trauma, spinal column fractures or cranium/brain trauma. The loss of blood in connection with an unstable pelvic fracture constitutes a serious and unresolved problem. The loss of blood is of a substantially venous nature, whereby m particular the haemorrhage from plexus and the fractured bone surface is predominant. Thus, m case of an unstable pelvic fracture a loss of blood of about 4 litres or more may occur, which m itself constitutes a serious threat to the life of the patient. In connection with the above-listed trauma, which occur m connection with a polytrauma, such loss of blood will be even more serious. In this context it may be mentioned that fractures which are m a preliminary clinical examination at the site of the accident diagnosed to be unstable only to a small degree may lead to such a considerable loss of blood that, m conjunction with other injuries, if any, it may be life- threatening. In many cases it is attempted to remedy such situation once occurred by infusion therapy m order to obtain a hemodynamic stabilisation. Λ so-called pelvic clamp is known for stabilising the fractured pelvis. This pelvic clamp exerts a lateral pressure via two pins forced into the pelvic sockets. The positive effect on the haemorrhage as a consequence of a stabilisation of the pelvis is uncontested. However, it represents a substantial drawback of this known device that it is for invasive application only and may thus be used in clinical conditions only. Moreover, a device is known m the form of a pressure garment which, being positioned around the lower extremities of the body and here exerting its influence, serves to prevent a sinking of the blood into the legs in the event of a circulatory decompensation. However the compression affects only on the legs and the abdomen and has no effect on the mechanical stabilisation of the pelvis . It is consequently the object of the present invention to provide a device for stabilising an unstable pelvic fracture m victims of accidents, which device may also be used m non-clinical conditions, such as e.g. on the site of the accident. This object is obtained with a device which is characterised in comprising a belt for fitting around the pelvis/hip region, means in connection with the belt for securing the latter in a tightened state against the victim of accident, and at least two first expandable means so arranged as to press against the victim of accident on the back side of the pelvis opposite the pelvic sockets upon expansion and to further tighten the belt. By means of such device it is possible to obtain effective stabilisation of the fractured pelvis and consequently an effective control of venous haemorrhages. The device is easy to handle and is swiftly fitted since only external application is required. Its ability for unsophisticated and swift fitting enables early application thereof, e.g. on the site of the accident, since the device may be operated by the rescuers. This specific use of the system means that other organ systems are influenced only to a minor extent and therefore the device eliminates the need for infusion therapy. In accordance with the invention, at least one outer layer of the device is made of a substantially non- stretchable material. Hereby the exertion of pressure becomes unambiguous, especially when using expandable means with a pressure relief valve with a pre-set pressure-relief setting. In accordance with a further preferred embodiment the expandable means are movably secured to the belt in order to allow adaptation of the device to different body dimensions and shapes. In order to prevent the device from shifting from its position around the pelvis m a direction towards the torso of the victim of accident, attachment means are conveniently arranged at one side of the belt, said attachment means having such length as to enable them to be inserted between the legs of the victim of accident and secured relative to the belt on the opposite side of the patient since securing means are provided on the belt in addition to the attachment means. Even more conveniently, a third expandable means is provided on the belt, said means being so arranged that it is urged against the pelvis front of the victim of accident. This provides a further specific stabilisation of the pelvic fracture. Conveniently the two first and optionally the third, additional expandable means are connected to a source of pressure medium by means of a common pressure medium supply conduit. This makes it possible to simultaneously expand all expandable means connected thereto. In a convenient embodiment, the means for securing the belt in its tightened state prior to expansion of the expandable means and the means for securing the expandable means relative to the belt consist of a usual burrlockmg mechanism, also called a hook/loop-mechanism (Velcro®) . Hereby continuous and swift adjustment is obtained. However, other closing and securing mechanisms may be used. Exemplary mechanisms include buttons, snap fasteners, hooks, conventional belt buckles and straps that originate m the expandable means and extend all the way around the belt. Advantageously the expandable means consist of air- mflatable elastomer bladders provided with a relievable one-way valve. This valve may optionally be provided with a pressure-relief mechanism so as to ensure that only a pre-determined pressure is obtained m the bladder and thus that a pre-determmed maximum pressure is exerted by the device onto the victim of accident. The invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the drawings which are schematical views of one embodiment of the invention, and where Figures 1 and IA are top plan views of the device according to the invention, Figure 2 is a side view of the device shown m Figure 1 in a non-expanded state, Figure 3 illustrates the device shown in Figure 2 in its expanded state, and Figure 4 is a perspective view of the device with its belt ends m their interconnected state. Figure 1 schematically illustrates a device according to the invention. The device comprises a belt 1 having at the one side of its one end means 2 which may be caused to co-operate with corresponding means 13 (cf. Figures 2- 4) arranged at the other end and at the opposite side of the belt. In connection with the belt, two means 3,4 are provided which may be inflated by infusion of air and which preferably consist of rubber bladders provided with a relievable one-way valve and a pressure-relief valve. Optionally the pressure relief valve may be integral with the one-way valve. This valve arrangement being a commonly known measure is not shown herein. The expandable means 3, 4 are preferably secured relative to the belt by a common burrlockmg device. Hereby they may be allowed to shift sideways whereby the belt may be adapted to different body dimensions and shapes. The positioning of the expandable means is selected m the relevant situation of use to be such that the belt, when fitted around the hip region/pelvis of a victim of accident, presses against the back of the pelvis and preferably closely to its periphery. A further expandable means 5 is arranged on the belt at such location that it abuts on the patient centrally to the front of the pelvis when fitted onto the victim of accident. Two straps 6, / are secured to the belt at a location at the back side of the patient when fitted onto the victim of accident. At the outermost free ends of the straps 6, 7 the one element 8,9 of a usual burrlockmg mechanism is provided. When the belt is fitted around the victim of accident, its straps are inserted between the legs of the victim of accident and secured relative to the corresponding burrlockmg mechanism 10, 11 arranged at the front of the victim of accident when fitted onto the victim of accident. A cushion 12 arranged centrally between the expandable means 3, 4 serves to indicate the correct positioning of the device for the team to operate it. Figure IA schematically illustrates a hose connection connecting the one expandable means 4 to an inflation pump 14. Such pump mechanism is generally known and is used e.g. in connection with sphygmomanometer equipment. Figures 2 and 3, which schematically illustrate a device according to the invention m a lateral view, show the location of the various elements in a non-expanded state of the expandable elements and an expanded state thereof, respectively. Figure 4 schematically illustrates a device according to the invention when its two belt extremities are connected to each other, where the co-operating locking mechanisms 2,13 are interconnected. In the state shown, the locking devices 8,9 on the straps 6,7 are not connected to the corresponding locking devices 10,11 on the belt. In the schematical presentation made above, only an outer belt layer has been referred to onto which the expandable means are arranged. However, it is to be understood that an additional cushioning may also be provided on the mside of the outer belt layer whereby abrupt transitions between belt and expandable means are avoided. However, such measure is, in practice, of no consequence to the vital functioning of the device and therefore it is omitted for the sake of clarity. The outer belt layer is preferably made of a non-stretchable material, e.g. a so- called Cordura-web. The use of a non-stretchable material, in particular in connection with valve devices which allows inflation only up to a certain predetermined pressure level, ensures that the device influences the victim of accident only with such pressure as determined thereby.

Claims: C l a i m s 1. A device for stabilising an unstable pelvic fracture m victims of accident, c h a r a c t e r i z e d comprising a belt (1) for fitting around the hip region/pelvis of the victim of accident, means (2,13) arranged m connection with said belt (1) for securing it m its tightened state against the victim of accident, and at least two first expandable means (3,4) arranged such a manner that, upon expansion, they press against the back side of the pelvis of the victim of accident opposite the pelvic sockets and further tighten the belt. 2. A device according to claim 1, c h a r a c t e r i z e d m that at least one outer layer of the belt (1) is made of a substantially non- stretchable material. 3. A device according to claim 1 or 2, c h a r a c t e r i z e d m that the expandable means (3,4) are movably secured to the belt. 4. A device according to claims 1-3, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in comprising attachment means (6,7) secured at one side of the belt (1) , said attachment means having such length as to enable them to be inserted between the legs of the victim of accident for attachment relative to the belt, securing means (8- 11) being provided on the belt and the attachment means, respectively, which securing means may be caused to co¬ operate with each other to counteract shifting of the belt towards the torso of the victim of accident. 5. A device according to claims 1-4, c h a r a c t e r i z e d comprising a third expandable means (5) so arranged on the belt (1) that this means presses against the victim of accident on the front side of the pelvis. 6. A device according to claims 1-5, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the two first expandable means (3,4) are expandable by means of a source of pressure medium connected to a common pressure medium supply conduit. 7. A device according to claim 5, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the two first expandable means (3,4) and the further expandable means (5) are expandable by means of a source of pressure medium connected to a common pressure medium supply conduit. 8. A device according to claims 1-7, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the means (2,13) for securing the belt (1) in a tightened state consist of a usual burrlockmg mechanism. 9. A device according to claims 1-8, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the expandable means (3,4) are secured to the belt by means of a usual burrlockmg mechanism. 10. A device according to claims 1-9, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the expandable means consist of air-inflatable elastomeric bladders provided with a relievable one-way valve.

Inventors: BAUMGAERTEL FRIEDRICH, BAUMGAERTEL, FRIEDRICH
Applicants: AMBU INT AS, BAUMGAERTEL FRIEDRICH, AMBU INTERNATIONAL A/S, BAUMGAERTEL, FRIEDRICH
Application year: 1996
Main classification: A61F5
IPC codes: A61F5