Methods and apparatus for arresting scalp bleeding

#1. Field of the Invention

#The invention relates to a hemostatic device and methods for its use. More particularly, the invention relates to an inflatable hemostasis device for treating a bleeding scalp at the scene of an emergency and to methods for using it.

#2. State of the Art

#FIG. 1 is a partially transparent side elevation view of the left side of a first embodiment of an apparatus according to the invention;

#FIG. 2 is a partially transparent side elevation view of the right side of a first embodiment of an apparatus according to the invention;

#FIG. 3 is a partially transparent side elevation view of the back side of a first embodiment of an apparatus according to the invention;

#Referring now to FIGS. 1 through 3, a first embodiment of an apparatus of the present invention includes a skull cap 12 having a plurality of inflatable bladders 14, 16, 18, and a VELCRO strap 20 for fastening it about the skull of a scalp wound victim. The configuration of the skull cap 12 includes three “lobes” 22, 24, 26 in which the inflatable bladders 14, 16, 18 are respectively located, which allow the cap to lie substantially flat when not fastened about a skull. The lobe 22 defines a left ear opening 22a and the lobe 24 defined a right ear opening 24a. According to the presently preferred embodiments, the cap is made from two layers: an inner rubber layer and an outer nylon/non-absorbent fabric layer. The bladders are preferably fluidly coupled to inflation tubes (not shown in FIGS. 1-3) having releasable valves which are located at a single location on the cap for rapid inflation with the pump. By arrangeing the cap as three lobes, it can lie flat when not in use and is easy to fit about different sized heads.

#The skull cap 12 is fastened about the victim's skull with the left lobe 22 including bladder 14 overlying the left side of the skull with the victim's ear protruding through the ear opening 22a, and with the right lobe 24 including bladder 18 overlying the right side of the skull with the victim's ear protruding through the ear opening 24a. The back lobe 26 is arranged over the back of the skull between the other two lobes and the lobes are fastened to each other with the VELCRO strap as shown in FIG. 3 extending from one side of the victim's head across the back to the other side. After the cap 12 is fastened about the victim's skull, the bladders are inflated. According to the presently preferred embodiment, the bladders are inflated to a pressure of approximately 80 mm Hg using the hand pump described and illustrated below with reference to FIG. 5.

#Referring now to FIG. 4, a second embodiment of a skull cap 112 is similar to the skull cap 12 with similar features being identified with similar numerals incremented by 100. According to this embodiment, the skull cap 112 has four bladders 114, 116, 118, 119 and a VELCRO fastening strap 120. The bladder 114 is located in a left side lobe 122 which defines an ear opening 122a. The bladder 116 is located in a right side lobe 124 which defines an ear opening 124a. The bladder 118 is located in a back of head lobe 126. According to this embodiment, the fourth bladder 119 is located in an area of the cap 112 between the side lobes 122 and 124 such that it will overlie the forehead when the cap is placed over the skull.