Apparatus and method to stop bleeding

Abstract

A hemostatic device is provided to stop bleeding at a puncture site on the wrist of a patient, the device comprising a transparent flexible band to be wrapped at the site where the bleeding is to be stopped, a curved frame having an inner peripheral side and possessing a first curved portion in its first half and a second curved portion in its second half, a first balloon provided on the inner peripheral side in the first half of the curved frame and a second balloon provided on the inner peripheral side in the second half of the curved frame. The bleeding from a first artery is stopped by compressing the first artery at the puncture site using inflation of the first balloon and the blood flow in the first artery is increased by compression of a second artery using inflation of the second balloon.

1 . A method directed at obtaining hemostasis of a radial artery after performing a catheterization procedure on a wrist of a patient at an access site of the radial artery, comprising performing the following steps:
 (a) wrapping and securing a band around the wrist of the patient at the access site where bleeding is to be stopped, said band comprising at least a first balloon and at least a second balloon;   (b) positioning the at least first balloon to provide a first compressive force on an ulnar artery;   (c) positioning the at least second balloon to provide a second compressive force on the radial artery;   (d) applying the first compressive force on the ulnar artery by inflating the at least first balloon for a purpose of obtaining patent hemostasis of the radial artery;   (e) applying the second compressive force on the radial artery at the access site by inflating the at least second balloon;   (f) continuing to apply the first compressive force to the ulnar artery for the purpose of obtaining patent hemostasis of the radial artery;   (g) continuing to apply the second compressive force for a duration of time to obtain hemostasis of the radial artery;
 wherein, upon inflation, the at least first balloon assumes an acute angle orientation with respect to a strap of the band to which the at least first balloon is connected. 
   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein applying the second compressive force in step (e) comprises applying the second compressive force directly on the access site, the second compressive force in totality being in an oblique direction with respect to a surface of the wrist. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first compressive force in step (f) is reduced to zero before obtaining hemostasis of the radial artery. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first compressive force in step (f) is maintained at least until hemostasis of the radial artery is obtained. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first compressive force is applied before the second compressive force is applied. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the second compressive force is applied before the first compressive force is applied. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first compressive force fully compresses the ulnar artery. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first compressive force partially compresses the ulnar artery. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising compressing the radial artery at a point upstream and proximal to the access site thereby decreasing radial artery pressure, as well as flow at the access site. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising monitoring patency of the radial artery. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the width of the band is in a range of 40 mm to 55 mm. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the band possesses a central line of axis traversing from a first end of the band through a center to a second end of the band, said axis dividing the band in a first half and a second half of the band, the first balloon located substantially in the first half of the band and the second balloon located substantially in the second half of the band. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein a width of the second balloon is substantially same as the width of the band. 
     
     
         14 . A method directed at obtaining hemostasis of a radial artery after performing a catheterization procedure on a wrist of a patient at an access site of the radial artery, comprising performing the following steps:
 (a) wrapping and securing a band around the wrist of the patient at the access site where bleeding is to be stopped, said band comprising at least a first balloon and at least a second balloon;   (b) positioning the at least first balloon to provide a first compressive force on an ulnar artery, wherein the at least first balloon has a first surface in contact with the band;   (c) positioning the at least second balloon to provide a second compressive force on the radial artery at the access site;   (d) applying the first compressive force on the ulnar artery by inflating the at least first balloon;   (e) applying a second compressive force on the radial artery at the access site by inflating the at least second balloon;   (f) continuing to apply the first compressive force to the ulnar artery;   (g) continuing to apply the second compressive force for a duration of time to obtain hemostasis of the radial artery;
 wherein the at least first balloon has a boundary including more than one edge and the at least first balloon is connected to the band by a connector only at one edge of the at least first balloon. 
   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the first compressive force in step (f) is reduced to zero before obtaining hemostasis of the radial artery. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the first compressive force in step (f) is maintained at least until hemostasis of the radial artery is obtained. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the first compressive force is applied before the second compressive force. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the second compressive force is applied before the first compressive force. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein a width of the band is in a range of 40 mm to 55 mm. 
     
     
         20 . A method directed at obtaining hemostasis of a radial artery after performing a catheterization procedure on a wrist of a patient at an access site of the radial artery, comprising performing the following steps:
 (a) wrapping and securing a band around the wrist of the patient at the access site where bleeding is to be stopped, said band comprising at least a first balloon and at least a second balloon;   (b) positioning the at least first balloon to provide a first compressive force on an ulnar artery;   (c) positioning the at least second balloon to provide a second compressive force on the radial artery at the access site;   (d) applying the first compressive force on the ulnar artery by inflating the at least first balloon;   (e) applying the second compressive force on the radial artery at the access site by inflating the at least second balloon;   (f) continuing to apply the first compressive force to the ulnar artery at a Guyon's canal;   (g) continuing to apply the second compressive force for a duration of time to obtain hemostasis of the radial artery;
 wherein the at least first balloon is located substantially in a palmar aspect of the band and is connected to the band by a connector on only one edge of the at least first balloon; and 
 wherein the band is configured to locate a substantial part of the at least second balloon distal from a base of a palm, whereby when the band is wrapped around the wrist positioning the at least first balloon to provide the first compressive force at the Guyon's canal, the at least second balloon is positioned to automatically cover the access site.