Patent Publication Number: US-2023154356-A1

Title: Hemorrhage control training device, method, and system

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/250,774, filed 30-SEP-2021, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to hemorrhage control training systems and, more particularly, a table and pump system that allows for distribution, collection, filtration, warming and recirculation of simulated blood for the purposes of conducting medical training. 
     Where high-fidelity simulators are invaluable in practicing a patient encounter, task trainers allow for the refining of psychomotor skills in isolation. Task trainers allow learners to familiarize themselves with various procedures that require repetitive practice in a safe environment before the trainee are expected to perform the procedure on a real patient. 
     Task trainers related to hemorrhage control training require large amounts of simulated blood. Moreover, currently no hemorrhage control training system allows for adjustment of flow, filtration, warming and recirculation of simulated blood. No Hemorrhage control training system allows for selective adjustment by the end user for changing the location, position, flow, and pressure of hemorrhage control task trainers. In other words, current hemorrhage control training systems do not enable the end user to modify the system for their own, bespoke use of creating custom training situations. Furthermore, there is no current hemorrhage control training system that allows a full body sized hemorrhage control task trainer to distribute collectable simulated blood for recirculation during a single training session as well as for repeated use. 
     As can be seen, there is a need for a table and pump system that allows for distribution, collection, filtration, warming and recirculation of simulated blood for the purposes of conducting medical training, wherein the hemorrhage control training device, method and system of the present invention allows for the utilization of a full body sized hemorrhage control task trainer to be used with multiple simulated bleeding sites a various and selectable flow types and pressure, wherein the systems automatically collects the expelled simulated blood, filtrates it, and warm the simulated blood up for continual effect or a future training regime. By collecting, filtering, warming and recirculating simulated blood, training of large numbers of students in lifesaving procedures can be accomplished quickly and at reduced cost. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In one aspect of the present invention, a hemorrhage control training device, includes the following: a surface dimensioned to accommodate at least one hemorrhage control task trainer; and a fluid container fluidly coupled to the surface by way of a pumping system providing one or more pumps; a pump controller; and one or more outlets disposed along the hemorrhage control task trainer, wherein the pump controller is configured to change a flow type and a pressure of a fluid in the pumping system. 
     In another aspect of the present invention, the hemorrhage control training device further includes wherein the fluid is simulated blood, wherein the one or more outlets comprise at least two outlets, wherein the pumping system further comprises a distribution manifold for selectively distributing two or more flows of the fluid, wherein the at least one hemorrhage control task trainer comprises an adult human-sized hemorrhage control task trainer; further including a fluid retention system operatively associated with the surface so that the two or more flows of the fluid flows back to the fluid container, wherein the surface is an upper portion of a table; and further including a fluid temperature regulator configured to selectively control a temperature of the fluid, and wherein the flow type comprises continuous and intermittent. 
     In yet another aspect of the present invention, a hemorrhage control training system includes the following: a table having an upper surface dimensioned to accommodate at least one hemorrhage control task trainer; a simulated blood container fluidly coupled to the surface by way of a pumping system providing: one or more pumps; a pump controller; a distribution manifold for selectively distributing two or more flows of the simulated blood; and a plurality of outlets disposed along the hemorrhage control task trainer, wherein the pump controller is configured to change a flow type and a pressure of the simulated blood in the pumping system; a fluid retention system operatively associated with the surface so that the two or more flows of the simulated blood flow back to the simulated blood container; and a simulated blood temperature regulator configured to selectively control a temperature of the simulated blood, wherein the flow type comprises continuous and intermittent. The intermittent flow may be pulse-based, such that the simulated blood is urged through pulses that have a magnitude substantially greater than the non-pulse urgings so as to mimic the blood pumping of a human or animal heart. Between pulses the related simulated blood pressure may be substantially less than the pulse pressure. 
     In still yet another aspect of the present invention, the A method of training hemorrhage control, the method includes: providing the above-mentioned hemorrhage control training system; placing a human-sized hemorrhage control task trainer on the surface thereof; and selectively controlling the pumping system to simulate two or more bleed sites along the human-sized hemorrhage control task trainer as well as selectively controlling the simulated blood temperature regulator so that simulated blood leaving each bleed site is approximately the temperature of human blood. 
     These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    is a top perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG.  2    is a side schematic view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, shown in use with tube  26  connected to trainer  30 . 
         FIG.  3    is a flow chart of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG.  4    is a top perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG.  5    is a side schematic view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG.  6    is a top perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims. 
     Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention provides a table and pump system that allows for distribution, collection, filtration, warming and recirculation of simulated blood for the purposes of conducting medical training, wherein the hemorrhage control training device, method and system of the present invention allows for the utilization of a full body sized hemorrhage control task trainer to be used with multiple simulated bleeding sites a various and selectable flow types and pressure, wherein the systems automatically collects the expelled simulated blood, filtrates it, and warm the simulated blood up for continual effect or a future training regime. 
     Referring now to  FIGS.  1  through  6   , the present invention may include a blood collection table  10 . The blood collection table  10  is fluidly coupled to one or more simulated blood containers  12 . Each simulated blood container  12  is fluidly coupled to a thermostat and water heater  14  so that the latter can selectively regulate the temperature of the simulated blood contained by the simulated blood container  12 , while the former determines the temperature thereof. One or more pumps, such as a first stage pump  16  and a second stage pump  18 , may be fluidly coupled to each simulated blood container  12  for selectively urging the contained simulated blood to and from its simulated blood container  12 . 
     The one or more pumps (16,  18 , etc.) may be fluidly coupled to a distribution manifold  20  dimensioned and adapted to selective branch the flow of simulated blood into a plurality of openings, each opening fluidly coupled to a conduit  26  for distribution along different points along and/or adjacent to the upper surface  11  of the blood collection table  10  and/or through a hemorrhage control task trainer  30 . The one or more pumps  16  and/or  18  may be external to the simulated blood container  12 . In certain embodiments, such pump(s)  16  and/or  18  may be attached to the simulated blood container  12  at attachment points  28 , wherein the attachment point is a magnet or other form of removably joining element for connecting one object to another object. In some embodiments, the first stage pump  16  is located inside the simulated blood container  12 , while the second stage pump  18  is located along the exterior of the simulated blood container  12  by the attachment point  28 . 
     The one or more pumps  16  and  18 , distribution manifolds  10 , and/or distribution conduits  26  may be operatively associated with a pump speed controller  22  and/or a pump system controller  24  so that a user may selectively control and regulate the end-to-end distribution of simulated blood therethrough and the overall hemorrhage control training system’s throughput. 
     The upper surface  11  of the blood collection table  10  may be operatively associated with a fluid retention system  32  to prevent blood for leaking out of the hemorrhage control training system. The fluid retention system  32  may include water-resistant rails or barriers circumscribing said upper surface  11 . The upper surface  11  is dimensioned and adapted to accommodate one or more human-sized (or in certain embodiments, animal sized) hemorrhage control task trainers  30 , which may be akin to a mannequin adapted to pedagogically replicate a human victim experiencing ‘life-threatening’ blood hemorrhaging. 
     In certain embodiments, the first stage pump  16  may be placed in the simulated blood container  12 , and the thermostat sensor and water heater  14  may be attached inside the simulated blood container  12  using magnetic attachment points  28 . The second stage pump  16  may be connected to the first stage pump  16  and the distribution manifold  20  with the distribution tubing  26 . 
     During operation, the blood collection table  10  may have a simulated hemorrhage control task trainer  30  placed on it that is connected to the distribution manifold  20  via the distribution tubing  26 . Simulated blood may be placed in the blood collection container  12  and the thermostat sensor and water heater  14  is activated. When the simulated blood reaches the selected target temperature and training preparations have been completed, the pump system controller  24  may be activated, and the flow is adjusted via the second stage pump speed controller  22  and distribution manifold  20  flow values to selectively adjust the desired flow type (e.g., continuous, intermittent, etc.) and pressure. Simulated blood then flows through the system to the hemorrhage task trainer(s)  30 . When the desired training outcome has been reached, the pump system controller  24  may be shut off. The blood that leaks from the hemorrhage task trainers  30  flows down the blood collection table  10 , corralled by the fluid retention system  32 , to an integral filtration system  34  and then back to the simulated blood container  12  for rewarming and recirculation. 
     In another embodiment, the blood collection table  10  may embody a cistern  36  for storing simulated blood within its body as opposed to a separately associated simulated blood container  12 . In other embodiments, the blood collection table  10  may include a bag hanger  38  for a gravitational-fed distribution bag  42  above the upper surface  11 . The bag hanger  38  may be removably connected to the blood collection table  10  by way of a removably attachment point  40 , for instance a magnetizable material. 
     The blood collection table  10  may be rectangular and constructed of steel or aluminum that may be welded with six handles around the exterior, two wheels to one end, and a drainage spout with mesh filter. It being understood various forms of construction material and number of constituent components may vary. In certain embodiments, a drainage spout may be connected to a flexible conduit that leads to the simulated blood container  12 . Folding legs for the blood collection table  10  may be constructed via welding out of steel or aluminum. The distribution manifold  20  may be bolted to the blood collection table  10 . 
     The simulated blood container  12  may be rectangular or round container is constructed of steel and painted with enamel with a waterproof locking lid. Attached to the top and bottom of the container may be an elastic strap for firm connection to the legs of the blood collection table  10 . 
     The thermostat and water heater  14  may be a commercially available thermostat for the purpose, for example, of keeping farm animals water source free from ice. The first stage pump  16  may be commercially available fountain pump modified by connecting the blood distribution tubing  26  and the second stage pump  18 . The second stage pump  18  may be a commercially available rotary pump modified for connecting the blood distribution tubing  26  and the distribution manifold  20 . The distribution manifold  20  may be created via drilling pipe and threading tube connectors with vales to create the desired amount of distribution outlets. The second stage pump speed controller  22  may be a commercially available DC volt adjuster that is manually wired to the second stage pump  18 . The pump system controller  24  may be a wireless or wired switch that activates the pump system, and so be manually wired to the pump system and a power source. The distribution tubing  26  may be created by cutting the desired PVC tubing to length and connecting quick disconnect connectors and one way check valves. The magnetic attachment points  28  may include earth magnets attached to webbing and quick disconnect clips via sewing to create straps. 
     The water heater and thermostat  14  may be optional, though it creates the realistic feel of warm blood through the system to the hemorrhage control task trainer  30 . The pumps  16  and  18  could be arranged in various configurations or be adjusted to pump laterally or downward to allow work to be performed at variable positions. 
     A method of using the present invention may include the following. The blood collection table  10  disclosed above may be provided. An end-user would apply one or more hemorrhage control task trainers  30  to a full-sized human or animal medical training model. Tubing to each task trainer  30  would be connected to the distribution manifold  20  via connection tubing  26  in the selectively specified order of use. After adding simulated blood to the container  12 , the thermostat  14  is activated to warm the simulated blood and the pumps  16  and  18  may be activated to start the flow of simulated blood. The flow and pressure may be adjusted via the outlet valves on the distribution manifold  20  and the second stage power speed controller  24 . 
     Additionally, the table  10  could be used to circulate cleaning solutions for the purpose of cleaning machine parts as well as product testing and research. 
     As used in this application, the term “about” or “approximately” refers to a range of values within plus or minus 10% of the specified number. And the term “substantially” refers to up to 80% or more of an entirety. Recitation of ranges of values herein are not intended to be limiting, referring instead individually to any and all values falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated, and each separate value within such a range is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. 
     For purposes of this disclosure, the term “aligned” means parallel, substantially parallel, or forming an angle of less than 35.0 degrees. For purposes of this disclosure, the term “transverse” means perpendicular, substantially perpendicular, or forming an angle between 55.0 and 125.0 degrees. Also, for purposes of this disclosure, the term “length” means the longest dimension of an object. Also, for purposes of this disclosure, the term “width” means the dimension of an object from side to side. For the purposes of this disclosure, the term “above” generally means superjacent, substantially superjacent, or higher than another object although not directly overlying the object. Further, for purposes of this disclosure, the term “mechanical communication” generally refers to components being in direct physical contact with each other or being in indirect physical contact with each other where movement of one component affect the position of the other. 
     The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (“e.g.,” “such as,” or the like) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the embodiments and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the embodiments or the claims. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any unclaimed element as essential to the practice of the disclosed embodiments. 
     In the following description, it is understood that terms such as “first,” “second,” “top,” “bottom,” “up,” “down,” and the like, are words of convenience and are not to be construed as limiting terms unless specifically stated to the contrary. 
     It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.