Methods and apparatus for arresting scalp bleeding

Abstract

An apparatus for arresting scalp bleeding includes skull cap having a plurality of inflatable bladders and a pump for inflating the bladders. The methods of the invention include attaching the skull cap to the bleeding victim and inflating the bladders with air using the pump. The inflated bladders exert pressure on the bleeding scalp and result in a hemostasis. According to the presently preferred embodiments, the skull cap has three or four independently inflatable bladders and the pump is a hand pump of the type used to inflate a blood pressure cuff. The pump is preferably provided with a pressure gauge and the bladders are each inflated to about 80 mm Hg.

1 . An apparatus for arresting scalp bleeding from a skull having a left side, right side, back and forehead, said apparatus comprising: 
 a skull cap having a plurality of inflatable bladders, said bladders arranged such that when inflated, pressure is exerted on the scalp sufficient to result in a hemostasis of a scalp wound.    
     
     
         2 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein: 
 said plurality of bladders includes at least three bladders.    
     
     
         3 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein: 
 a first of said plurality of bladders is arranged to overlie the left side of the skull and a second of said plurality of bladders is arranged to overlie the right side of the skull.    
     
     
         4 . An apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein: 
 a third of said plurality of bladders is arranged to overlie the back of the skull.    
     
     
         5 . An apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein: 
 a fourth of said plurality of bladders is arranged to overlie the forehead.    
     
     
         6 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a pump adapted to inflate said plurality of bladders.    
     
     
         7 . An apparatus according to  claim 6 , further comprising: 
 a pressure gauge adapted to display the amount of pressure to which each of said plurality of bladders is inflated.    
     
     
         8 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a plurality of fluid conduits, each conduit having a first end fluidly coupled to a corresponding bladder and a second end adapted to be coupled to a pump.    
     
     
         9 . An apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein: 
 the second ends of said plurality of fluid conduits are located in close proximity to each other.    
     
     
         10 . An apparatus according to  claim 8 , further comprising: 
 a plurality of valves, each valve being coupled to one of the second ends.    
     
     
         11 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein: 
 said skull cap has three lobes and fastening means for fastening the skull cap about a skull.    
     
     
         12 . An apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein: 
 said lobes are arranged such that said skull cap lies flat when not fastened about a skull.    
     
     
         13 . An apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein: 
 a first one of said three lobes defines a first ear opening, and    a second one of said three lobes defines a second ear opening.    
     
     
         14 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 means for coupling to a cervical collar.    
     
     
         15 . An method for arresting scalp bleeding from a skull having a left side, right side, back and forehead, said method comprising: 
 a) fastening a skull cap having a plurality of inflatable bladders about the skull of a bleeding victim;    b) inflating the bladders such that pressure is exerted on the scalp sufficient to result in a hemostasis.    
     
     
         16 . A method according to  claim 15 , wherein: 
 said step of inflating includes inflating at least three bladders.    
     
     
         17 . A method according to  claim 15 , wherein: 
 said step of inflating includes inflating a first bladder which overlies the left side of the skull and a second bladder which overlies the right side of the skull.    
     
     
         18 . A method according to  claim 17 , wherein: 
 said step of inflating includes inflating a third bladder which overlies the back of the skull.    
     
     
         19 . A method according to  claim 18 , wherein: 
 said step of inflating includes inflating a fourth bladder which overlies the forehead.    
     
     
         20 . A method according to  claim 15 , wherein: 
 said step of inflating is accomplished with a hand pump.    
     
     
         21 . A method according to  claim 15 , wherein: 
 said step of inflating includes inflating a plurality of bladders to a pressure of approximately 80 mm Hg.    
     
     
         22 . A method according to  claim 15 , further comprising: 
 c) coupling the skull cap to a cervical collar.