Abstract: A method to reduce brain injury and brain swelling includes performing active compression decompression cardiopulmonary resuscitation on an individual in a supine position. The individual's head, shoulders, and heart are elevated relative to the individual's lower body. The head is elevated to a height of between about 20 cm and 30 cm above the horizontal plane and the heart is elevated to a height of between about 3 cm and 10 cm above the horizontal plane. Chest compressions are performed on the individual and actively decompressing the individual's chest while the individual's head, shoulders, and heart are elevated. Intrathoracic pressure of the individual is regulated using an intrathoracic pressure regulation device both while the individual is in the supine position and while the individual's head, shoulders, and heart are elevated relative to the lower body, thereby reducing brain edema during CPR.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention provides a medical method for treating a person and comprises repeatedly compressing the person's chest. While repeatedly compressing the person's chest, the method further includes repeatedly delivering a positive pressure breath to the person and extracting respiratory gases from the person's airway using a vacuum following the positive pressure breath to create an intrathoracic vacuum to lower pressures in the thorax and to enhance blood flow back to the heart.

Abstract: Methods to control the delivery of CPR to a patient through a mechanical CPR device are described. The method generally allows for a gradual increase in the frequency of CPR cycles. The gradual increase can be regulated by protocols programmed within the CPR device such as intermittently starting and stopping the delivery of CPR, accelerating the delivery of CPR, stepping up the CPR frequency, increasing the force of CPR, and adjusting the ratio of compression and decompression in a CPR cycle. Combinations of each of these forms may also be used to control the delivery of CPR. This manner of gradually accelerating artificial blood flow during the first minutes of mechanical CPR delivery can serve to lessen the potential for ischemia/reperfusion injury in the patient who receives mechanical CPR treatment.

Abstract: A method for monitoring chest compressions using a compression member includes measuring a force exerted by the compression member, measuring a displacement of the compression member, providing a chest stiffness function representing the relationship between force and displacement based on values derived from the measured force and the measured displacement, and analyzing linearity of the chest stiffness function. Embodiments of the invention also include devices for performing the method.

Abstract: A cardiopulmonary resuscitation device that combines ventilation of a patient's lungs with chest compressions on the patient's sternum area. The device includes a self-inflating bag having a flat top side as a proper position on the self-inflating bag for applying force to the top side of the self-inflating bag, a flat bottom side on the self-inflating bag for properly positioning the bag on the patient's sternum area, an outlet port through which the content of the bag is forced when the flat top side of the bag is pushed toward the flat bottom side of the bag, a connector connecting the bag with a tube extending from the outlet port, a headband face mask for placement over the patient's mouth and nose, and a second connector positioned between the tube and the face mask.

Abstract: An apparatus for use with a clamp including a base member configured to be secured to the clamp and at least one energy transmission device carried by the base member. An apparatus for use with a clamp and a probe that carries at least one energy transmission device including a base member configured to be secured to the clamp and an engagement device associated with the base member and configured to engage the probe. A clamp including first and second clamp members, at least one of which is malleable, and a movement apparatus that moves at least one of the first and second clamp members relative to the other. A surgical system including a clamp with first and second clamp members and a device that removably mounts at least one electrode on at least one of the first and second clamp members.

Abstract: A bandage for covering an affected area of the skin is provided. The bandage including: a first bandage having an adhesive for adhering to the skin and an opening for exposing the affected area; a second bandage for covering the opening; and a releasable attachment system for releasably securing the second bandage to the first bandage to cover the opening. Also provided is a swab including: a tubular body having a conduit and a breakable wall portion disposed in the conduit; a fluid disposed in the conduit; and a cotton swab disposed at an end of the tubular body; wherein bending of the tubular body breaks the breakable wall portion allowing the fluid to flow into the cotton swab. Still further provided is a cotton product including: a cotton body; and a breakable capsule disposed in the body, the breakable capsule having a cavity filled with a fluid.

Abstract: A method of processing a raw acceleration signal, measured by an accelerometer-based compression monitor, to produce an accurate and precise estimated actual depth of chest compressions. The raw acceleration signal is filtered during integration and then a moving average of past starting points estimates the actual current starting point. An estimated actual peak of the compression is then determined in a similar fashion. The estimated actual starting point is subtracted from the estimated actual peak to calculate the estimated actual depth of chest compressions. In addition, one or more reference sensors (such as an ECG noise sensor) may be used to help establish the starting points of compressions. The reference sensors may be used, either alone or in combination with other signal processing techniques, to enhance the accuracy and precision of the estimated actual depth of compressions.

Abstract: A cardiopulmonary resuscitation device that combines ventilation of a patient's lungs with chest compressions on the patient's sternum area. The device includes a self-inflating bag having an outlet port through which the content of the bag is forced when bag is compressed; target indicia on the bag to indicate the proper position of the bag on the patient's sternum area and to indicate the proper location on the bag for applying force to the top side thereof; a face mask for placement over the patient's mouth and nose; and a tube extending from the bag to the face mask. The device may include indicia for indicating the amount of pressure applied to the self-inflating bag, and a backboard including belt/motor structure for providing repeated and rapid chest compression and forced ventilation of the patient's lungs.

Abstract: A cardiopulmonary resuscitation device that combines ventilation of a patient's lungs with chest compressions on the patient's sternum area. The device includes a self-inflating bag having an outlet port through which the content of the bag is forced when bag is compressed; target indicia on the bag to indicate the proper position of the bag on the patient's sternum area and to indicate the proper location on the bag for applying force to the top side thereof; a face mask for placement over the patient's mouth and nose; and a tube extending from the bag to the face mask. The device may include indicia for indicating the amount of pressure applied to the self-inflating bag, and a backboard including belt/motor structure for providing repeated and rapid chest compression and forced ventilation of the patient's lungs.

Abstract: A cardiopulmonary resuscitation device and method that combines artificial, emergency ventilation of a patient's lungs with chest compressions on the patient's sternum area. The device includes a self-inflating bag having a top side, a bottom side, and an outlet port through which the content of the bag is forced when the top side of the bag is pushed toward the bottom side of the bag; target indicia on the self-inflating bag to indicate the proper position of the self-inflating bag on the patient's sternum area and to indicate the proper location on the self-inflating bag for applying force to the top side of the self-inflating bag; a face mask for placement over the patient's mouth and nose; and a tube extending from the outlet port of the self-inflating bag to the face mask.