Systems and methods for tourniquet operation and control

A method for monitoring an occlusive effect of a tourniquet on a human limb, the method comprising:

• providing a tourniquet;
• retrofitting a system onto the tourniquet by removably attaching a housing of the system to the tourniquet, the system including:
• the housing,
• a capacitive pressure sensor supported by the housing,
• a processor, and
• a user communication module;
• tightening the tourniquet around the human limb so that the capacitive pressure sensor contacts the human limb and is interposed between the tourniquet and the human limb;
• sensing a compressive force between the tourniquet and the human limb via the capacitive pressure sensor;
• determining a first threshold pressure of the tourniquet corresponding to a pressure value necessary for occlusion to sufficiently stop or hinder bleeding, determining a second threshold pressure of the tourniquet corresponding to a pressure value for complete occlusion of blood flow through the human limb;
• monitoring an elapsed time from when the tourniquet reaches a pressure between the first threshold pressure and the second threshold pressure;
• and
• communicating a user report via the user communication module, the user report including at least one of the compressive force and the elapsed time.

A tourniquet system for use on a human limb, comprising:

• a field tourniquet;
• a housing configured to removably engage the tourniquet;
• a capacitive pressure sensor positioned relative to the housing and the tourniquet so the pressure sensor is configured to contact the human limb and is interposed between the tourniquet and the human limb for sensing compressive force therebetween when the housing is engaged with the tourniquet;
• an oxygenation sensor positioned relative to the housing and the tourniquet so the oxygenation sensor is interposed between the tourniquet and the human limb for sensing oxygen levels of the human limb when housing is engaged with the tourniquet;
• a processor configured to receive feedback from the capacitive pressure sensor and the oxygenation sensor, compare the feedback to at least one of deployment or operation parameters for the tourniquet, determine a first threshold of the tourniquet corresponding to a pressure value necessary for occlusion to sufficiently stop or hinder bleeding, determine a second threshold pressure of the tourniquet corresponding to a pressure value for complete occlusion of blood flow through the human limb, monitor an elapsed time from when the tourniquet reaches a pressure between the first threshold pressure and the second threshold pressure, and generate a user report;
• and
• a user communication module configured to communicate the user report.