Method and apparatus for cold compression treatment of wounds

摘要

An apparatus is provided for femoral artery compression having an inflatable bladder, a cooling member and a rigid panel disposed within a sterile envelope and securable to a patient about the wound site via a detachable strap. The envelope can be pre-cooled as a unit and located over the wound such that the rigid panel focuses compressive force against the artery, trapping it between the panel and the pelvic bone rim. The bladder is adjustably inflatable by a conventional squeeze bulb valve arrangement and forces the cooling member against the rigid panel and the tissue in the wound vicinity. The rigid panel includes ridge structure to restrict sliding movement with respect to the cooling member. The envelope includes separate chambers for each of these components so as to restrict their movement once the envelope has been properly positioned. The envelope and its components are preferably constructed from inexpensive materials such that the entire apparatus is conveniently disposable after a single use.