The current application is a Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) application and claims a priority to a U.S. provisional application serial number 62/351,375 filed on June 17, 2016. The current application is filed on June 19, 2017, whereas June 17, 2017 and June 18, 2017 were on a weekend.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to wound care. More particularly, the present invention relates to an apparatus for restraining a wound care pad against a wound. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Bleeding, also known as hemorrhaging, is blood escaping from the circulatory system. Bleeding can occur internally, where blood leaks from blood vessels inside the body, or externally, either through a natural opening such as the mouth, nose, or ear, or through a break in the skin. Hypovolemia is a massive decrease in blood volume, and excessive blood loss can lead to death, referred to as exsanguination. Typically, a healthy person can endure a loss of about 10 to 15 percent of the total blood volume without serious medical difficulties. The stopping or controlling of bleeding is called hemostasis and is an important part of both first aid and surgery.

An open wound is a type of injury which happens relatively quickly in which the skin of a person or animal is torn, cut, or punctured. Types of open wounds can include incisions, lacerations, abrasions, avulsions, puncture wounds, penetration wounds, or gunshot wounds caused by a bullet or similar projectile driving into or through the body. Open wounds typically bleed, and the amount of bleeding from an open wound may depend on the depth of the wound and the extent to which capillaries, veins, arteries or other blood vessels have been punctured. Treatment of open wounds will depend on the type, cause, and depth of the wound, and whether other structures beyond the skin are involved. Treatment of open wounds generally involves examining, cleaning, and closing the wound. If an open wound is severe, emergency bleeding control may be required. A typical technique for treating a bleeding wound is to apply direct pressure to the wound in order to manually constrict blood vessels, helping to stem blood flow. Another method of achieving constriction of a supplying artery of a tourniquet - a band tied tightly around a limb to restrict blood flow. However, this is generally a limited use application in situations where the victim is considered beyond the reach of first aid.

Another means of achieving hemostasis is to use a blood coagulation agent.

Coagulation, also known as clotting, is the process by which blood changes from a liquid to a gel, forming a blood clot, and potentially resulting in hemostasis, the cessation of blood loss from a damaged blood vessel, followed by tissue repair. Typically, coagulation naturally begins in the body almost immediately after an injury to the blood vessel has damaged the endothelium lining the vessel. Leaking of blood through the endothelium initiates two processes: changes in platelets, and the exposure of subendothilial tissue factor to plasma blood clotting Factor VII, which ultimately leads to fibrin formation. Platelets immediately form a plug at the site of injury; this is called primary hemostasis. Secondary hemostasis occurs simultaneously: additional coagulation factors or clotting factors beyond Factor VII respond in a complex cascade to form fibrin strands, which strengthen the platelet plug.

Some injuries may be too severe for the body's natural coagulation process to adequately achieve hemostasis, such as a bullet wound or a severe laceration from an object or weapon such as a knife. In order to treat such wounds, care providers may apply coagulant hemostatic agents to the site of the wound in an attempt to stem the bleeding.

There exist on the market various products for bleeding control, such as wound care pads or sponges impregnated with hemostatic agents, which can by physically applied to a wound to control severe bleeding. However, there is a lack of devices for restraining the wound care pad in place on a patient without constant pressure being manually applied by a responder. For example, with such a device, in a situation with many bleeding victims, a responder may apply the coagulation pad to the wound of a victim, allowing the responder to move on to the next victim.

It is an objective of the present invention to introduce such an apparatus for securing a wound care pad in place over a wound. The present invention is a self- contained assembly for applying pressure on a wound to minimize or stop bleeding, and is easily adjustable to accommodate most body parts. Furthermore, blood clotting pads can be held in place over the wound. The present invention is primarily intended for wounds on the torso, but may also be used for wounds on limbs or the head. When properly placed around a body part, the present invention will not move due to existing fluids on the skin or clothing, allowing responders to assist other victims. Multiple units may be utilized for multiple wounds. The present invention can be easily: connected around a body part, positioned over a wound, tightened, locked in place, and release. The present invention is designed to be simple, quick and easy to deploy for even an average untrained responder.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side exploded view of the retention disk and wound care pad.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the retention disk and strap attached to the harness connection.

FIG. 4 is a side view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention with strap retention rails as the harness connection and a connected wound insertion plug, s FIG. 5 is an illustration of the present invention affixed in place around the torso of a user.

DETAIL DESCRIPTIONS OF THE INVENTION

All illustrations of the drawings are for the purpose of describing selected versions of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. The present invention is to be described in detail and is provided in a manner that establishes a thorough understanding of the present invention. There may be aspects of the present invention that may be practiced or utilized without the implementation of some features as they are described. It should be understood that some details have not been described in detail in order to not unnecessarily obscure focus of the invention.

The present invention is an apparatus for securing a wound care item tightly in place over a wound in order to slow or stop bleeding from wounds such as a puncture or laceration. The present invention facilitates a simple non-traumatic covering or insertion with the goal of minimizing hemorrhage and facilitating hemostasis as a result of the combination of its expansion and hemostatic properties.

Referring to FIGS. 1-4, in general, the present invention comprises a retention disk 1 and a harness 2. The present invention is intended for use with a wound care pad 3, wound insertion plug 4, or other wound care item that can be pressed against a wound to control bleeding and achieve hemostasis. The present invention may comprise the wound care pad 3, or may simply be used with existing wound care pads or other similar items. The wound care pad 3 is placed, glued or otherwise attached to the retention disk 1, which is then positioned over the wound, and the harness 2 serves to affix the retention disk 1 and attached wound care pad 3 in place, being affixed and tightened around the relevant body part in order to apply pressure to the wound care pad 3 against the wound in order to control the bleeding and allow the hemostatic agent to activate.

In the preferred embodiment, the wound care pad 3 and/or insertion plug may be constructed with an inert material with expansion capability and impregnated with a topical hemostatic agent. Alternate embodiments of the wound care pad 3 may be infused with various other types of topical medicaments, ointments, antibiotic agents, hemostatic agents, and the like well-known and utilized in the relevant arts. It is also conceivable that alternate embodiments of the present invention may omit the wound care pad 3 altogether.

In some embodiments, the wound insertion plug 4 is a layer of flexible material resembling a plug like structure, with a slightly tapered point for easy insertion into a wound. In some embodiments, a wound care pad 3 and a wound insertion pad are utilized in combination. In some embodiments, a radiographic marker in the form of a flexible loop may be incorporated into the wound insertion plug 4 and enables identification and easy retrieval from the wound. If the wound insertion plug 4 is separated from the rest of the invention and lodged within the wound, a medical practitioner may perform an x-ray scan to detect the radiographic marker and remove the lodged matter. In alternate embodiments of the present invention, different types of radiographic markers may be utilized. For example, it is easily conceivable for inert radiography detectable materials may to be infused into the wound insertion plug 4. Various modifications and alterations to the preferred embodiment of the radiographic marker are easily conceivable to those with ordinary skills in the relevant arts. Both the wound insertion plug 4s and wound care pad 3s may be provided in multiple size options. The wound insertion plug 4 may be removably engaged to the retention disc, or the wound insertion plug 4 may be integrated into the retention disk 1. The present invention may be contained in a sanitary plastic or polybag with a zip pull incased in a protective cover. The protective cover may state rudimentary instructions such as: pull zip cord, remove cover, place absorbent pad into or over wound, retain with tourniquet strap, belts, rope, tape, etc.

In some embodiments, the wound insertion plug 4 may be designed to treat bullet hole wounds. In such a case, the wound insertion plug 4 may be defined by a slender longitudinal member extruding perpendicularly from the retention disc. The slender longitudinal member is flexible enough to bend over and nest against the retention disc to create a smaller package prior to use. This allows for insertion into the bullet wounds which are usually defined by a long elongate puncture into the flesh. Like the case with the laceration wound, the wound care pad 3 may absorb the biotic matter such as blood cells, skin cells, and like bodily fluids discharged from the wound.

In some embodiment, a middle potion of the insertion plug may taper and extrude out of the front of the retention disc in a semicircular arc, allowing longitudinal insertion into the laceration. The flexible nature of the insertion plug is meant to allow the wound care pad 3 to expand into the wound and absorb the biotic matter contained therein. Many more variations and modification to the insertion plug and the wound care pad 3 are easily conceivable to those with ordinary skills in the relevant arts.

In the preferred embodiment, the retention disk 1 comprises a disk body 11, a first surface 12, a second surface 13, and a harness connection 14. Furthermore, the harness 2 comprises at least one strap 21, a fastening mechanism 22, and a tightening mechanism 23, wherein the strap 21 comprises a first end 210 and a second end 212. The strap 21 is engaged with the harness connection 14, such that the harness 2 is configured to restrain a wound care pad 3 between the retention disk 1 and a human body part. The first end 210 and the second end 212 of the strap 21 are removably attached to each other through the fastening mechanism 22. The tightening mechanism 23 is furthermore operatively engaged with the strap 21, such that the tightening mechanism 23 is configured to adjust a total length of the strap 21. More particularly, the tightening mechanism 23 is configured to adjust the portion of the strap 21 affixed around a human body part.

The retention disk 1 is a structural body that serves the function of pressing the wound care pad 3 over the wound. The retention disk 1 is configured to receive a wound care pad 3 on the first surface 12. As previously mentioned, in some embodiments the wound care pad 3 may be understood to be comprised as a component of the present invention. The wound care pad 3 may be connected to the first surface 12 through any applicable means, such as, but not limited to, glue, tape, fasteners, being integrally constructed with the first surface 12, or other means. In other embodiments, such as in FIG. 4, instead of or in addition to a wound care pad 3, a wound insertion plug 4 may be connected to the first surface 12. In some embodiments, the wound care pad 3 and/or the wound insertion plug 4 may comprise a hemostatic material and/or be impregnated with a topical hemostatic agent.

In some embodiments, the retention disk 1 may comprise ridges or other protrusions that may facilitate a wound care pad 3 being affixed to the first surface 12. Preferably, the retention disk 1 is rigid, and may be made of any desirable and useful material such as, but not limited to, various plastics, metals, or other materials. In one embodiment, the retention disk 1 is generally circular in shape, though the shape of the retention disk 1 should not be limited to such and in alternate embodiments the retention disk 1 may have different shapes such as, but not limited to, rectangular or ovular.

The first surface 12 and the second surface 13 of the retention disk 1 are positioned opposite each other across the disk body 11. The disk body 11 is generally flat and coin-shaped, though it is contemplated that the first surface 12 or second surface 13 may comprise additional contours or other features in some embodiments. For example, the first surface 12 may comprise one or more bump or mound-like protrusions to aid in applying pressure to the wound care pad 3.

The harness connection 14 is connected to the second surface 13 of the retention disk 1. It is contemplated that the harness connection 14 may be configured in a variety of manners to facilitate the harness 2 being attached to the retention disk 1. Preferably, the retention disk 1 is slidably engaged along the strap 21 through the harness connection 14. In one embodiment, the harness connection 14 comprises a strap retention channel 15, and the strap 21 traverses through the strap retention channel 15, being restricted against the second surface 13 of the disk body 11 by the strap retention channel 15, while being able to move within the strap retention channel 15. The strap retention channel 15 may be understood in one embodiment to be a generally U-shaped structure, with the free ends of the U attached to the second surface 13. More particularly, the strap retention channel 15 may comprise a first lateral portion, a second lateral portion, and a central portion. The first lateral portion and the second lateral portion protrude a short distance from the second surface 13, with the central portion being connected between them to form the strap retention channel 15.

In another embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the harness connection 14 comprises a first strap retention rail 16 and a second strap retention rail 17. The first strap retention rail 16 and the second strap retention rail 17 are positioned parallel and opposite to each other along the second surface 13, such that the first strap retention rail 16 and the second strap retention rail 17 are configured to restrain the strap 21 against the second surface 13. The first strap retention rail 16 and the second strap retention rail 17 may comprise a first portion protruding vertically from the second surface 13 and a second portion perpendicularly connected to the first portion opposite the second surface 13, forming a hook shape that functions to restrain the strap 21 against the second surface 13.

In some embodiments of the present invention, a swivel pad may allow for radial rotation in relation to where the retention disc may be positioned. This design allows freedom for the person applying treating the wound to be oriented in any direction in relation to the person inflicted with the wound. The rotatable mechanism may comprise components and arrangements well known and widely utilized in the relevant arts. For example, a central axle may be integrally attached to the retention disc whereby the swivel pad may be rotatably engaged thereon. Various other modification and alterations to the preferred rotating mechanism are easily conceivable to those with ordinary skills in the relevant arts. The swivel pad may allow be any shape, and may be designed to accommodate any shape of pad, but is primarily intended for elongated pads to swivel to be able to cover the wound.

The fastening mechanism 22 of the harness 2 allows the harness 2 to be secured in place around the body part to be treated with the wound care pad 3. For example, if the wound to be treated is on the victim's abdomen, the wound care pad 3 or wound insertion plug 4 is connected to the first surface 12 of the retention disk 1, the retention disk 1 and attached wound care pad 3 are positioned over the abdomen wound, the strap 21 of the harness 2 is wrapped around the victim's torso, and the first end 210 and second end 212 of the strap 21 are connected together through the fastening mechanism 22. Subsequently, the care provider utilized the tightening mechanism 23 to tighten the strap 21 around the victim's torso in order for the wound care pad 3 to apply maximum pressure to the wound. FIG. 5 shows the present invention affixed around the torso of a user.

It is contemplated that the fastening mechanism 22 may be any means of securely fastening the first end 210 and second end 212 of the strap 21 together. In one

embodiment, the fastening mechanism 22 is a side release strap buckle. Thus, in one embodiment, the fastening mechanism 22 comprises a male buckle portion 220 and a female buckle portion 222. The male buckle portion 220 may be connected to the first end 210 of the strap 21, while the female buckle portion 222 may be connected to the second end 212 of the strap 21, or vice versa. The male buckle portion 220 and the female buckle portion 222 may be then be releasably engaged with each other.

It is contemplated that the tightening mechanism 23 maybe any means of mechanically reducing the span of the strap 21 that is in contact with the body part of the victim, thus applying greater force to the retention disk 1 and therefore the wound care pad 3 against the wound. In one embodiment, the tightening mechanism 23 comprises a strap locking device, wherein the strap locking device is configured to affix a portion of the strap 21 within the strap locking device. The strap locking device utilizes mechanical leverage to clamp onto the strap 21, affixing the strap 21 in place relative to the strap locking device. In one embodiment, the tightening mechanism 23 is a cam buckle device. In this embodiment, the tightening mechanism 23 itself does not perform the action of tightening the strap 21 around the victim's body part, but this action is performed by the caregiver. The strap 21 traverses through the strap locking device, wherein the caregiver manually pulls the strap 21 through the strap locking device to a desired tightness, and then engages the strap locking device to affix the portion of the strap 21 within the strap locking device. In other embodiments, the tightening mechanism 23 may include any other applicable means to tighten the strap 21 around the victim's body part. For example, in one alternative embodiment, the tightening device may utilize screw action to tighten the strap 21.

In regard to the materials utilized for the present invention, the preferred embodiment of the carrying structure is composed of polymeric materials having varying densities. High density plastics may be utilized in the retention disc components of the invention. The wound care pad 3 and/or wound insertion plug 4 may be composed of a fabric based porous absorbent material. Low density plastics may additionally or alternatively be used to make the insertion plug. In addition, the insertion plug may be substantially transparent due to a low-density property. Small amounts of

electromagnetically reactive metallic materials may be used in the radiographic marker. This will facilitate detections by x-ray scans. However, it is easily conceivable that in possible alternate embodiments, each component may be made of a particular material specifically suited to withstand the structural loads and thermal conditions associated with normal and extraneous operating conditions. Additionally, it is easily conceivable to those having ordinary skills in the relevant arts, that metals, glass, organic, and/or composite materials may also be utilized.

Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred

embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.