Method and apparatus for shielding engagement of a tourniquet cuff

Abstract

A low-cost contour cuff for surgical tourniquet systems comprises: a sheath containing an inflatable bladder, the sheath having an arcuate shape, an outer surface and a centerline equidistant between first and second side edges; a securing strap non-releasably attached to the outer surface and formed of substantially inextensible material having a shape that is predetermined and substantially flat, wherein the strap includes a bending portion near a first strap end and a fastening portion near a second strap end, and wherein the bending portion is adapted to allow twisting of the bending portion out of the substantially flat shape to facilitate positioning of the fastening portion into any of a plurality of positions in the substantially flat shape; and fastening means for releasably attaching the fastening portion of the securing strap to the outer surface whenever the sheath is curved into a position for surrounding a limb.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A tourniquet cuff apparatus, comprising:
 an inner sheet joined to an outer sheet to form an inflatable cuff, the cuff having opposing ends, and distal and proximal side edges extending between the opposing ends, the outer sheet extending from one opposing end of the cuff to the other opposing end and consisting of material having an outer fastening surface that includes a first fastener component;   an elongated, securing strap attached near a first end of the cuff, formed to curve around and conform to the shape of a limb to which the cuff is applied, the strap including a second fastener component that can releasably engage the outer fastening surface thereby to enable engagement of the second fastener component on the strap with the outer fastening surface between the distal and proximal side edges of the cuff;   an engagement barrier applied to cover a region of the outer fastening surface between the distal side edge and the proximal side edge near a second end of the cuff and operable to prevent engagement of the securing strap to the first fastener component within the region of the outer fastening surface covered by the engagement barrier, wherein   the engagement barrier has a barrier shape matching the first fastener component within the region.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus in  claim 1  wherein the engagement barrier provides a visible indication of contact with a fluid. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the visible indication comprises a color change. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the fluid comprises blood. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the fluid comprises a liquid employed to clean the cuff after usage. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the visible indication is a physical deterioration of the engagement barrier. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6  wherein the physical deterioration renders the engagement barrier inoperable within the region. 
     
     
         8 . A method of manufacturing a tourniquet cuff, comprising:
 joining an inner sheet to an outer sheet to form an inflatable cuff, the cuff having opposing ends, and distal and proximal side edges extending between the opposing ends, the outer sheet extending from one opposing end of the cuff to the other opposing end and consisting of material having an outer fastening surface that includes a first fastener component;   attaching an elongated, securing strap near a first end of the cuff, formed to curve around and conform to the shape of a limb to which the cuff is applied, the strap including a second fastener component that can releasably engage the first fastener component of the outer fastening surface between the distal and proximal side edges of the cuff; and   applying an engagement barrier to the outer fastening surface to substantially cover the first fastener component in a region between the distal side edge and the proximal side edge near a second end of the cuff, thereby preventing engagement of the second fastener component of the securing strap to the first fastener component within the region.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8  wherein applying comprises attaching the engagement barrier to the outer fastening surface by hook and loop. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8  wherein applying comprises attaching the engagement barrier to the outer fastening surface by adhesive. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8  wherein applying comprises attaching the engagement barrier to the outer fastening surface by welding. 
     
     
         12 . A method of preventing engagement of a first fastening component of a tourniquet cuff to a second fastening component of the tourniquet cuff in a region by covering the first fastener component with a barrier within the region. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the first fastener component has a first fastener shape in the region and wherein the barrier is shaped to match the first fastener shape in the region.