A SELF-INFLATING PRESSURE INFUSION CUFF

PRESSURE CUFFS ARE DEVICES USED TO PRESSURIZE (TO A NOMINAL PRESSURE OF 300 MMHG) PHYSIOLOGICAL SOLUTIONS STORED IN PLASTIC BAGS DURING INVASIVE PRESSURE MONITORING OR TO FACILITATE RAPID INFUSION OF THESE SOLUTIONS. MANUALLY OPERATED CUFFS REQUIRE AN INITIAL INFLATION AND INTERMITTENT REINFLATION AS THE SOLUTION IS DISPENSED. SELF-INFLATING CONSTANT PRESSURE CUFFS ARE BULKY AND EXPENSIVE ($500). FOR ALL CUFFS, EVEN IF THE GAS PRESSURE IS MAINTAINED AT 300 MMHG, THE PRESSURE OF THE SOLUTION DECREASES CONSIDERABLY AS ITS VOLUME IS DISPENSED. BECAUSE BLOOD AND BLOOD PRODUCTS ARE ADMINISTERED TO PATIENTS THROUGH A BREAK IN THE PROTECTIVE BARRIER OF THE SKIN, THERE IS THE POTENTIAL OF EXPOSING THE PATIENT TO CROSS-CONTAMINATION. EXCEPT FOR THE CUFF, ALL COMPONENTS USED TO ADMINISTER PHYSIOLOGICAL SOLUTIONS ARE DISPOSABLE. WASHING AND/OR STERILIZING THE CUFF, IF POSSIBLE, IS TIME CONSUMING, COSTLY, AND LEADS TO COMPONENT FAILURES. THE ONLY DISPOSABLE CUFF IS MANUAL AND COSTS $12. THIS PROJECT SEEKS TO DEVELOP A LOW-COST, COMPACT, DISPOSABLE, SELF-INFLATING, PRESSURE-MAINTAINING CUFF FOR HOSPITALS AND FIELD USE. THE CUFF, IN COMBINATION WITH AN ADJUSTABLE FLOW RESISTOR, CAN BE USED TO CONTROL FLOW. THE TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPED CAN BE APPLIED WHEREVER A COMPACT, SELF-CONTAINED, REGULATED PRESSURE SOURCE IS REQUIRED.