Abstract: A system and method of controlling the pressure within a pressure cuff of a surgical tourniquet so as selectively to occlude blood flow within a portion of a limb of a patient, wherein a sensor determines when flow past the tourniquet is occurring so that corrective action may be taken, such as by increasing the pressure in the tourniquet or by notifying an operator of the flow past the tourniquet. The present invention may use an acoustic sensor to detect Korotkoff sounds indicating incipient blood flow past the tourniquet. When such signals are detected, the tourniquet controller may either incrementally increase the pressure in the tourniquet, or if a threshold would be exceeded by such an increase, signal an alarm indicative of the blood flow.

Abstract: A system and method of controlling the pressure within a surgical tourniquet so as selectively to occlude blood flow within a portion of a limb of a patient, wherein the pressure within an inflatable cuff surrounding a portion of a limb of a patient is changed by automatically opening a first valve connected to a controller and located within a first conduit between an inflatable bladder and the inflatable cuff, when the pressure in the inflatable cuff is different from that in the inflatable bladder. In another aspect, a system and method of controlling the pressure within a surgical tourniquet so as selectively to occlude blood flow within a portion of a limb of a patient within five seconds. In another aspect, a system and method of detecting a leak in a surgical tourniquet. In another aspect, a surgical tourniquet that, from an inflated state, may enter a deflated state, a set state, a default display state, or an off state.

Abstract: A system and method of controlling the pressure within a surgical tourniquet so as selectively to occlude blood flow within a portion of a limb of a patient, wherein the pressure within an inflatable cuff surrounding a portion of a limb of a patient is changed by automatically opening a first valve connected to a controller and located within a first conduit between an inflatable bladder and the inflatable cuff, when the pressure in the inflatable cuff is different from that in the inflatable bladder. In another aspect, a system and method of controlling the pressure within a surgical tourniquet so as selectively to occlude blood flow within a portion of a limb of a patient within five seconds. In another aspect, a system and method of detecting a leak in a surgical tourniquet. In another aspect, a surgical tourniquet that, from an inflated state, may enter a deflated state, a set state, a default display state, or an off state.

Abstract: A disposable inflatable tourniquet cuff which may include an inflatable bladder having inner and outer walls which, in order to reduce cost and complexity, may be of the same size and made from the same material. A stiffener may be located within the bladder's inflatable fluid space, to eliminate the need for any separate parts to properly locate or hold the stiffener. The walls may have exterior, velcro-type soft, fuzzy loops or filaments; and be secured together with welds having a width selected to prevent the longitudinal sides of the cuff from spontaneously rolling up. The soft, fuzzy inner wall may serve as the patient contacting part of the cuff, thereby eliminating the need for a separate soft, fuzzy inner cover to protect the patient; and may serve to engage the hook-type velcro surface on other parts of the cuff, to hold them in the desired position.

Abstract: A disposable inflatable tourniquet apparatus includes an inner inflatable bladder formed of two rectangular bladder wall members of polymer impregnated fabric peripherally welded to form a peripheral bond that develops the burst pressure of the bladder wall members. A conduit inflates the bladder, and a fabric cover is peripherally stitched at a border to the bladder at the peripheral bond. A curved stiffener plate is held inside the cover but outside the bladder, and within the stitched border.

Abstract: At least one seal for a sterilization container system, wherein the sterilization container system comprises a base, a lid, and a gasket for providing a microorganism proof seal between the lid and the base. The seal comprises a belt of shrinkable material having an anchor at each end. Corresponding anchor openings are provided in the base of the sterilization container system for the seal's anchors. The seal is installed by engaging one of its anchors in a corresponding anchor opening on one side of the sterilization container system's base, passing its belt over the lid of the sterilization container system, and then securing its other anchor in a corresponding anchor opening on the opposite side of the sterilization container's base.

Abstract: A sterilization container system for sterilizing surgical instruments, having a lid secured to a base by latches. The latches are automatically disengaged when the latches' release arms are raised to form handles by which the lid can be easily and securely manipulated; while the latches are automatically engaged when the latches' release arms are lowered, sealing the lid to the base. The base is provided with an outer safety wall, which is lower than and which extends around the base's inner wall, in order to help protect the top of the base's inner wall from inadvertent contamination when the lid is removed. Disposable paper filters are sealed over the vents inside the lid and base by cooperating filter paper sealing flanges provided in the filter papers' retainers, lid and base, in order to maintain the sterility of the contents of the sterilization container system after sterilization.

Abstract: Closures for a sterilization container system comprising at least one band of shrinkable material encircling the base and lid of a sterilization container system. The closures are formed from a shrinkable material which, when exposed to a shrinking agent, shrinks to pull said lid and base tightly against each other for the goal of providing a microorganism proof seal to prevent the entry of microorganisms into the interior of the sterilization container system. Also disclosed are the method of using the closures to achieve that goal, and the method of using at least one agent which simultaneously shrinks the at least one band of shrinkable material and sterilizes the sterilization container system and its contents.