Abstract:
A vibrating tourniquet is disclosed in which one or more vibrating devices are coupled within a pliable strap portion and are activated to interrupt nerve transmissions, and supply an alternative stimulus, that decreases the sensation of pain as the needle or IV are introduced through the skin and into a vein. The vibration devices are electrically coupled to a controller mechanism and the controller mechanism may be turned on or off after the tourniquet is applied to the arm. In alternative versions, the frequency and amplitude of the vibration may be selectively increased or decreased cooperatively or separately by adjusting the controller mechanism as needed.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD  
       [0001]     The present invention relates to a tourniquet, more particularly to a vibrating tourniquet.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     Tourniquets are used in medical emergencies to arrest life-threatening arterial or venous bleeding. A tourniquet is applied around an arm or leg, or other body extremity, to constrict the blood vessels between the patient&#39;s heart and the bleeding wound. Tourniquets must be used with care and knowledge, as stopping the flow of blood to the wound also stops the flow of blood to the entire extremity below the tourniquet; prolonged blood deprivation from improperly extended or regulated tourniquet use can lead to tissue death in the affected limb.  
         [0003]     Besides the first-aid application for stopping the bleeding, a tourniquet can also be used be used for intravenous injection (“IV” or angiocatheter) or blood drawing, in which the tourniquet is applied to a limb. The purpose of the tourniquet is to engorge the veins distal to the tourniquet, thereby making it easier to place the catheter or needle.  
         [0004]     When a tourniquet is used to assist injection, the traditional tourniquet consisting of a slim circular rubber tube is used. In general, the circular rubber tube is stretched to a fixed position for its application. The stretching process causes a tugging action on the skin that may result in discomfort to the patient. In addition, the patients feel a sensation of pain and anxiety as the needle or IV is being introduced through the skin. Studies have shown that most patients describe the IV as being very painful, and remember it as the most traumatic and anxious aspect of their procedure.  
         [0005]     There is a need for decreasing the pain and anxiety associated with blood draws and IV placements.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006]     The improved tourniquet of the present invention introduces one or more vibrating devices within its pliable strap portion that interrupt nerve transmissions, and supply an alternative stimulus that decreases the sensation of pain as the needle or IV are introduced through the skin and into a vein. The devices contain a controller mechanism that may be turned on or off after the tourniquet is applied to the arm.  
         [0007]     In alternative version, the frequency and amplitude of the vibration may be selectively increased or decreased by adjusting the controller mechanism as needed.  
         [0008]     In another alternative version, the frequency and amplitude of the vibration may be separately selectively increased or decreased by adjusting the controller mechanism as needed.  
         [0009]     Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent when viewed in light of the detailed description of the preferred embodiment when taken in conjunction with the attached drawings and appended claims. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0010]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a vibrating tourniquet according to one preferred embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0011]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the vibrating tourniquet of  FIG. 1  coupled to the limb of a patient;  
         [0012]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a vibrating tourniquet according to one preferred embodiment of the present invention; and  
         [0013]      FIG. 4  is a perspective of the vibrating tourniquet of  FIG. 3  coupled to the limb of a patient.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0014]     Referring now to  FIGS. 1 and 3 , two preferred versions of a vibrating tourniquet  20  is illustrated having a strap portion  22 . The strap portion  22  includes a fastening loop  24  at one end and a fastening mechanism  26  closer to its other end.  
         [0015]     The strap portion  22  is formed of a pliable, or otherwise flexible, material. Preferred materials used in the strap portion include natural materials such rubber or manufactured fabrics. The fastening loop  24  is formed of hard rubber, plastic or metal and is retained within a looped end portion  28  of the strap portion  22 . Alternatively, the fastening loop  24  may be secured to the end portion  29  of the strap by an adhesive or other means well known to those of ordinary skill in the art.  
         [0016]     Coupled to the strap portion  22  between the fastening mechanism  26  and the fastening loop  24  are one or more vibrations devices  50  electrically coupled to a controller mechanism  52 . The vibration devices  50  and controller mechanism  52 . The controller mechanism  50  and vibration devices are also electrically coupled to an electrical power source such as a battery  54  or wall outlet (not shown). Preferably, the vibration devices  50 , controller mechanism  52 , and battery  54  are contained within the interior of the strap  22 , although they may also be coupled to an outer surface of the strap  22 .  
         [0017]     The vibration devices  50  vibrate at a preset amplitude and frequency as defined by the controller mechanism  52 . The controller mechanism  52  may be a simple on/off type controller, which provides an electrical signal to the vibration device  50  to vibrate at a single preset frequency and amplitude. The controller mechanism  52  is thus controlled by an operator by simply placing the controller mechanism in an on position, preferably using a push or squeeze method, a switch, a dial, or some other method well known to a person of ordinary skill in the art.  
         [0018]     Alternatively, the controller mechanism  52  may have a plurality of different settings, (i.e. a multi-position controller mechanism), thereby allowing the vibration mechanism  52  to vibrate at a variety of different amplitudes and frequencies. The controller mechanism  52  may therefore be in the form of a dial, a multi-position switch, a multi-position pull or squeeze actuation device, or any other multi-position control mechanism  52  known to those of ordinary skill in the art. Further, the controller mechanism may have separate controllers, in the form of dials or the like for the frequency and amplitude of vibration, hereinafter called a multiple control  
         [0019]     The fastening mechanism  26 , as shown in the preferred embodiment of  FIG. 1 , is in the form of a hook and loop fastening mechanism  30  having a hook portion  32  and a loop portion  34  separated by a middle fabric portion  35 . The hook portion  32  has a plurality of hooks  36  coupled to and extending away from a fabric backing material  38 . The loop portion  34  includes a plurality of loops  40  coupled to and extending away from a fabric backing material  42 . The fabric backing materials  38 ,  42  are preferably sewn, along its outer periphery, to the underlying strap  22  such that the respective hooks  36  or loops  40  extend upward and away from the backing material  38 ,  42  and strap portion  22 . Alternatively, the fabric backing materials  38 ,  42  may be glued or otherwise adhered to the strap portion  32  by methods well known to those of ordinary skill in the art. While the embodiment as shown in  FIG. 1  illustrates the loop portion  34  being closer to the free end  44  of the tourniquet  20  than the hook portion  32 , the positioning of the hook portion  32  and loop portion  34  relative to the free end  44  are inconsequential to the use of the tourniquet and thus are interchangeable.  
         [0020]     The fastening mechanism  26 , as shown in the preferred embodiment of  FIG. 3 , consists of a series of pegs  60  coupled to the fabric portion  22  and an equal number of correspondingly sized and shaped holes  62  extending through the fabric portion  22 . A middle portion  64  of the fabric  22  separates the pegs  60  and holes  62 . The holes  62  are preferably located at the free end  44  of the fabric portion  22 .  
         [0021]     To utilize the vibrating tourniquet  20  of  FIG. 1 , as shown best in  FIGS. 2 , the tourniquet  20  is first fastened around the appendage, here the upper arm  80 , of a patient and secured. This is accomplished by first introducing the free end  44  of the fabric portion  22  through the fastening loop  24 . Next, the free end  44  is bent over the fastening loop  24  such that the hook portion  32  is closely coupled to the loop portion  34  and such that the strap  22  is tight enough to dilate the veins in the patient&#39;s arm  80  and such that the vibrations devices  50  are substantially flush against the user&#39;s arm  80 . The hook portion  32  is then pressed onto the loop portion, or vice-versa such that the plurality of hooks  36  reversibly interlock with the respective loops  40 .  
         [0022]     For the vibrating tourniquet of  FIG. 2 , as shown best in  FIG. 4 , the tourniquet  20  is first fastened around the appendage, here the upper arm  80 , of a patient and secured. This is accomplished by first introducing the free end  44  of the fabric portion  22  through the fastening loop  24 . Next, the free end  44  is bent over the fastening loop  24  such that the holes  62  are closely coupled to the loop portion  34  and such that the strap  22  is tight enough to dilate the veins in the patient&#39;s arm  80  and such that the vibrations devices  50  are substantially flush against the user&#39;s arm  80 . At least one of the pegs  60  is then pressed through a respective hole  62 .  
         [0023]     Next, the controller mechanism  52  is actuated to send an electrical signal to the respective one or more vibration devices  50 , which then vibrate at a desired frequency and amplitude as a function of the sent electrical signal. As discussed above, the type of actuation is dependent upon the type of controller mechanism  52  utilized. For a simple on/off type controller mechanism  52 , the controller mechanism is simply turned from an off to an on position. For a multi-position controller mechanism  52 , the mechanism is adjusted by the operator to produce a desired frequency and amplitude of vibration within one or more of the respective vibration devices  50 .  
         [0024]     At this point, a doctor accesses the dilated veins for the purpose of introducing an IV or for performing a blood draw. The controller mechanism  52  is turned to an off position such that the vibration devices are not vibration. The tourniquet is then removed either by uncoupling the hook portion  32  from the loop portion, as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , or by uncoupling each of the pegs  60  from the respective holes  60 , as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , and then uncoupling the free end  44  from within the fastening loop  24 .  
         [0025]     The vibrating tourniquet  20  therefore provides a doctor with the means for accessing dilated veins for the purpose of introducing IV or performing blood draws, and further provides the patient with an additional means for decreasing the sensation of pain when needles or angiocatheters are being introduced by interrupting nerve transmissions and supply external stimulus. The vibrating tourniquet  20  therefore decreases the pain and anxiety associated with blood draws and IV placements.  
         [0026]     The vibrating tourniquet  20  therefore provides an improved standard of patient care that is beneficial for hospitals, surgical centers, and doctors&#39;offices. The vibrating tourniquet  20  is easy to produce, and a minimum of additional cost, as compared with traditional tourniquets. Further, the vibrating tourniquet  20  is reusable.  
         [0027]     While particular embodiments of the invention have been shown, it will be understood, of course, that the invention is not limited thereto since modifications may be made by those skilled in the art, particularly in light of the foregoing teachings. It is, therefore, contemplated by the appended claims to cover any such modifications as incorporate those features that constitute the essential features of these improvements within the true spirit and the scope of the invention.