Alternating Compression Pelvic Trauma Binder

Abstract

The present disclosure is generally directed to systems, devices, and methods for compressing the pelvis with alternating pressurized/depressurized air/fluid chambers by encircling the hip region of the patient. In some examples, a device may be applied to a person with a traumatic pelvic injury. A main body may include a strong flexible material such as neoprene and may have the general shape of a wide belt or pelvic girdle. The interior or exterior aspect of the binder may be composed of one or many straps that extend from one end of the binder and are looped through buckles on the other end of the binder and may therefore allow for tightening of the binder upon itself for compression. The end of the strap may contain a fastening device to affix the end of the strap to itself after the strap has been looped through the buckle.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A device for compressing a pelvis, comprising:
 an elongated flexible body having an internal surface and an external surface and opposing first and second ends adapted to be worn about a patient's pelvis;   a plurality of chambers operatively coupled to the elongated body, the chambers being at least one of intermittently inflatable and intermittently distensible; and   a fastener configured to couple the first and the second end.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of chambers extend at least partially from the internal surface of the elongated body. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the external surface of the elongated body is comprised of a flexible and low friction material. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the internal surface of the elongated body is comprised of a soft and conforming material. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein a supporting member is located between the external surface of the elongated body and the plurality of chambers. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein a first group of one or more of the plurality of chambers is operatively coupled to a first tubing hose such that pressurizing the first tubing hose pressurizes the first group of chambers to which the first tubing hose is attached. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein the first tubing hose is also operatively coupled to a pressurization device, the pressurization device pressurizing and depressurizing the first tubing hose according to a predetermined pattern. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 7 , wherein the pressurization device pressurizes the first tubing hose to a different pressure than a second tubing hose operatively coupled to a second group of one or more of the plurality of chambers. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 7 , wherein a second group of one or more of the plurality of chambers is operatively coupled to a second tubing hose such that pressurizing the second tubing hose pressurizes the second group of chambers to which the second tubing hose is attached. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein chambers in the first group of chambers and chambers in the second group of chambers are arranged about the elongated body in an interspersed pattern with respect to each other. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of chambers have a shape taken from a group consisting of rings, semi-rings, bars, and geometric cells. 
     
     
         12 . A method for compressing a pelvis comprising:
 donning a compression device about a patient's pelvis, the compression device including
 an elongated flexible body having an internal surface and an external surface and opposing first and second ends adapted to be worn about a patient's pelvis, 
 a plurality of chambers operatively coupled to the elongated body and extending at least partially from the internal surface, the chambers being at least one of inflatable with a gas and distensible with a fluid, and 
 a fastener for releasably coupling the first and the second end; and 
   pressurizing and depressurizing the chambers about the patient's pelvis at least in a predetermined timing pattern to provide alternating compression and by the chambers.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the plurality chambers extend substantially in parallel longitudinally along the flexible body. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein
 the plurality chambers are arranged along the flexible body;   the step of pressurizing and depressurizing the chambers about the patient's pelvis at least in a predetermined timing pattern, (a) pressurizes a first set of chambers while simultaneously depressurizing a second set of chambers and then (b) depressurizes the first set of chambers while simultaneously pressurizing the second set, wherein steps (a) and (b) are repeated according to a predetermined timing cycle.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the step of pressurizing and depressurizing the chambers about the patient's pelvis at least in a predetermined timing pattern, (a) pressurizes a first set of chambers distributed along the elongated body while simultaneously depressurizing a second set of chambers interspersed with respect to the first set and then (b) depressurizes the first set of chambers while simultaneously pressurizing the second set, wherein steps (a) and (b) are repeated according to a predetermined timing cycle. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the plurality of chambers have a shape taken from a group consisting of rings, semi-rings, bars, and geometric cells.