System and method of controlling pressure in a surgical tourniquet

A surgical tourniquet system, comprising:

• an inflatable cuff containing a first quantity of gas having a first internal pressure;
• an inflatable bladder containing a second quantity of gas having a second internal pressure;
• and
• controller means for equalizing the first and second internal pressures.

A method of detecting a leak in a surgical tourniquet system, including an inflatable cuff, comprising the steps of:

• (a) first, increasing the pressure of gas within the inflatable cuff until a target pressure is reached;
• (b) thereafter, measuring the pressure of gas contained within the inflatable cuff with a pressure sensor coupled to the inflatable cuff and connected to a controller, said measurements being made repeatedly while said inflatable cuff is pressurized;
• (c) storing data relating to each pressure measurement in a memory, and
• (d) comparing each pressure measurement using predetermined criteria to determine if a leak has occurred.

A surgical tourniquet system, comprising:

• an inflatable cuff, containing a quantity of gas;
• a controller;
• a pressure sensor coupled to said inflatable cuff and connected to said controller, said pressure sensor measuring the pressure in said cuff;
• and
• a memory connected to said controller,
• where the controller determines whether a leak has occurred by continuously comparing pressure measurements from said pressure sensor to predetermined criteria.

A system for detecting a leak in a surgical tourniquet system, including an inflatable cuff, comprising:

• (a) means for increasing the pressure of gas within the inflatable cuff until a target pressure is reached;
• (b) means for repeatedly measuring the pressure of gas contained within the inflatable cuff with a pressure sensor coupled to the inflatable cuff and connected to a controller;
• (c) means for storing data relating to each extraneous change in pressure in a memory;
• and
• (d) means for continuously comparing pressure measurements from said means for repeatedly measuring the pressure of gas contained within the inflatable cuff using predetermined criteria to determine if a leak has occurred.

A surgical tourniquet system comprising an inflatable cuff and a controller, said inflatable cuff containing a quantity of gas, wherein said surgical tourniquet system functions in a set of states including an inflated state, a deflated state, a set state, a default display state, and an off state,

• wherein an operator may define parameters identifying a desired inflatable cuff condition when surgical tourniquet system is in said set state;
• wherein from an inflated state the surgical tourniquet system may enter a deflated state;
• wherein from an inflated state the surgical tourniquet system may enter a set state;
• wherein from an inflated state the surgical tourniquet system may enter a default display state;
• wherein from an inflated state the surgical tourniquet system may enter an off state;
• and
• wherein from said set state the surgical tourniquet system may enter an inflated state in which the quantity of gas in the inflatable cuff is varied to conform with parameters identified in said set state prior to said inflated state.

A surgical tourniquet system comprising an inflatable cuff and a controller, said inflatable cuff containing a quantity of gas, wherein said surgical tourniquet system function in a set of states including an inflated state, a deflated state, a set state, a default display state, and an off state,

• wherein an operator may define parameters identifying a desired inflatable cuff condition when surgical tourniquet system is in said set state;
• wherein from an inflated state the surgical tourniquet system may directly enter a deflated state;
• wherein from an inflated state the surgical tourniquet system may directly enter a set state;
• wherein from an inflated state the surgical tourniquet system may directly enter a default display state;
• and
• wherein from an inflated state the surgical tourniquet system may directly enter an off state;
• and
• wherein from said set state the surgical tourniquet system may enter an inflated state in which the quantity of gas in the inflatable cuff is varied to conform with parameters identified in said set state prior to said inflated state.

A surgical tourniquet system, comprising:

• an inflatable cuff;
• a controller connected to said inflatable cuff;
• and
• a display connected to said controller;
• wherein a user controls the surgical tourniquet system by means of a graphical user interface displayed on said display;
• wherein the graphical user interface comprises a plurality of icons.