Alternating compression pelvic trauma binder

Abstract

The present disclosure is generally directed to systems, devices, and methods for compressing the pelvis with alternating compressive air compartments 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 inflatable air chambers operatively coupled to the elongated body; and   a fastener configured to couple the first and the second end.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of inflatable air chambers extend 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 inflatable air chambers. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of inflatable air chambers is operatively coupled to at least one tubing hose such that pressurizing the tubing hose pressurizes the respective inflatable air chamber to which the tubing hose is attached. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein each tubing hose operatively coupled to each of the plurality of inflatable air chambers is also operatively coupled to at least one pressurization device, the at least one pressurization device being configurable to pressurize each tubing hose operatively coupled to the respective inflatable air chamber and thus pressurizing the respective inflatable air chamber, thereby inflating the respective air chamber to a pressure. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 7 , wherein the at least one pressurization device is configured to pressurize the at least one tubing hose operatively coupled to each of the plurality of inflatable air chambers and thus pressurize the respective inflatable air chamber such that at least one of the plurality of inflatable air chambers is inflated to a different pressure than at least one other of the plurality of inflatable air chambers. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 7 , wherein the at least one pressurization device is configured to alternate pressurization and depressurization in the plurality of inflatable air chambers. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein adjacent inflatable air chambers are pressurized and depressurized in opposite sequences. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of inflatable air chambers extend substantially in parallel longitudinally along the flexible body. 
     
     
         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 inflatable air chambers operatively coupled to the elongated body and extending at least partially from the internal surface, and 
 a fastener for releasably coupling the first and the second end; and 
   inflating and deflating the inflatable air chambers about the patient's pelvis in a predetermined timing pattern to provide alternating compression by the inflatable air chambers.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the plurality of inflatable air chambers extend substantially in parallel longitudinally along the flexible body. 
     
     
         14 . A method for compressing a pelvis comprising:
 providing a compression device designed to be donned on a patient around the 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 pelvis, 
 a plurality of inflatable air chambers operatively coupled to the elongated body and extending at least partially from the internal surface, and 
 a fastener that releasably couples the first and the second ends; and 
   while the compression device is donned around the patient's pelvis, alternately inflating and deflating the inflatable air chambers to provide alternating compression by the inflatable air chambers on the patient's pelvis.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the inflatable air chambers around the patient's pelvis are alternately inflated and deflated in a predetermined timing pattern. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the inflatable air chambers around the patient's pelvis are alternately inflated and deflated at variable timing intervals. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the plurality of inflatable air chambers extend substantially in parallel longitudinally along the flexible body.