Uterine compression devices and methods

Abstract

Disclosed are devices for reducing postpartum hemorrhage, including a belt having a fastener for securing the belt around a patient's body, a bladder being inflatable with air and adapted to be placed over the patient's abdomen for applying selective external pressure to the patient's uterus, a manual pump operably connected to the bladder to change air pressure of the bladder, and a pressure gauge for indicating the air pressure. Methods for using the devices are also disclosed.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A device for reducing postpartum hemorrhage, comprising:
 a belt having a fastener for securing the belt around a patient's body;   a bladder being inflatable with air and adapted to be placed over the patient's abdomen for applying selective external pressure to the patient's uterus;   a manual pump operably connected to the bladder to change air pressure of the bladder; and   a pressure gauge for indicating the air pressure.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the bladder is adapted to selectively provide localized pressure to an area of the abdomen without inhibiting blood flow to the pelvis, such that the bladder is suitable to wear continuously for multiple hours. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a support positioned such that the bladder is held between the plate and the abdomen when the device is in use. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein the support is rigid to resist pressure from the bladder when inflated such that the bladder expands in the direction of the abdomen. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein the support is a plate. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein
 the bladder comprises an inner and outer wall, wherein the inner wall is more flexible than the outer wall such that the bladder expands preferentially in the direction of the inner wall;   wherein the bladder is adapted to be placed such that the inner wall faces the patient's abdomen.   
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the bladder is removable from the belt. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 7 , further including a removable pouch operable to attach to the belt, wherein the inflatable bladder is placed within the pouch and the pouch is attached to the belt in order for the pouch to be in position to apply selective pressure to the patient's uterus. 
     
     
         9 . A method for reducing postpartum hemorrhage, comprising:
 providing a device including:
 a belt having a fastener for securing the belt around a patient's body, 
 a bladder being inflatable with air and adapted to be placed over the patient's abdomen for applying selective external pressure to the patient's uterus, 
 a manual pump operably connected to the bladder to change air pressure of the bladder; and 
 a pressure gauge for indicating the air pressure; 
   placing the device around the patient's body;   inflating the bladder using the manual pump such that the bladder applies selective external pressure to the patient's uterus; and   changing the pressure to induce uterine contractions.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the device is left in place around the patient's body continuously for multiple hours. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 ,
 wherein the steps are carried out in response to diagnosing the patient with uterine atony, and   wherein the induced uterine contractions result in a reduction in hemorrhaging by the patient.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the changing the pressure to induce uterine contractions comprises determining a goal pressure, operating the pump to change the pressure, and monitoring the pressure gauge to determine when the goal pressure is achieved.