Emergency tourniquet devices and associated methods of use and manufacture

A tourniquet device for usage on a part of a patient's body, the tourniquet device comprising:

• a strap having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion wherein the strap has a width sufficient to apply pressure to constrict blood flow, while preventing constricting blood flow to the point of injury/amputation;
• a pulley assembly slidably coupled to the strap and movable between the proximal end portion and the distal end portion, the pulley assembly having a pulley assembly support and a first pulley member rotatably coupled to the pulley assembly support;
• a buckle assembly including a second pulley member rotatably coupled to a frame and connected to the proximal end portion of the strap, the frame forming an opening wherein at least one post extends across the opening;
• the strap passing about the first pulley and then about the second pulley, the distal end projecting from the second pulley;
• whereby a pulley having a two-to-one force multiplication is formed by the first and second pulleys and the strap passing between them;
• and further whereby a limb opening is formed through which such part of such patient's body may extend;
• and
• a means for attaching for releasably securing the distal end portion of the strap to the tourniquet device.

A method of applying a tourniquet device, comprising the steps of

• i) encircling a limb above the point of blood loss with a tourniquet device comprising:
• a strap having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, wherein the strap has a width sufficient to apply pressure to constrict blood flow, while preventing constricting blood flow to the point of injury/amputation
• a buckle assembly connected to the proximal end portion of the strap;
• and
• a pulley assembly slidably coupled to the strap and movable between the proximal end portion and the distal end portion, the pulley assembly having a pulley assembly support and a pulley member rotatably coupled to the pulley assembly support;
• ii) looping the distal end portion of the strap through the buckle assembly to reverse directions;
• wherein the buckle assembly of step ii) further comprises a second pulley member rotatably coupled to a frame and wherein the looping of the distal end portion of the strap is through the second pulley member;
• iii) then looping the distal end portion of the strap through the first pulley member;
• whereby a pulley having a two-to-one force multiplication is formed by the first and second pulleys and the strap passing between them;
• iv) applying sufficient pressure to constrict blood flow by pulling the distal end of the strap away from the pulley assembly to tension the strap, transferring circumferential pressure to the limb;
• and
• v) releasably securing the distal end portion to an means for attaching.