Abstract: Defibrillators, defibrillator architectures, defibrillator interface units and methods of operating defibrillators are described. In one aspect, a modular defibrillator architecture is described. A base unit provides a fully functional defibrillator. The functionality of the base unit can be supplemented by attaching an interface unit to the base unit. The defibrillator interface unit includes a housing, a communications module, a processing unit and a power storage unit. The housing is configured to be mounted on the base defibrillator unit to form at least a part of a unitary portable modular AED system. The communications module facilitates wireless communication between the AED and one or more remote servers. The processing unit includes at least one processor and is configured to receive communications from the base defibrillator unit. The power storage unit powers the interface unit including the communications module and the processing unit.

Abstract: A variety of methods, medical devices, responder network servers, emergency services interfaces and call center related processes are described that can help improve responder networks designed to get a medical device such as an automated external defibrillator and/or volunteer responders to the scene of a potential medical incident.

Abstract: Status messages are wirelessly broadcast from medical devices (e.g., defibrillators) as advertisements that don't require the establishment of a wireless connection with listeners. The listeners are configured to act on, or forward received status messages as appropriate. The listeners may optionally include supplemental information supplied by the listener device when forwarding a status message to a management server. The listener may optionally analyze received status messages to determine whether an action should be taken based at least in part on status information in the message. Actions performed by the listener may include initiating a connection with the transmitting device to facilitate uploading new information from the defibrillator, updating the defibrillator's firmware, etc. Optionally, some of the advertisements are configured as beacons. The advertisements/beacons may be transmitted using a Bluetooth Low Energy or other suitable protocols.

Abstract: Methods, user interfaces and systems are described that enable responder preferences to be considered during deployment of a public responder network. In some embodiments, a user is able to set preferences such as a mobility status, a public accessibility preference, a incidents notifications preference or a geographic preference associated with a medical device that is a part of the public responder network. In some embodiments, the user is able to select or define an area for which incident notifications are desired or are to be restricted in some manner. The described approach is well suited for public responder networks that include medical devices such as defibrillators (e.g., AEDs) in the network.

Abstract: A variety of electrode pad cartridges are described that are suitable for use with a defibrillator. In one aspect the cartridge includes a housing, a tray that carries one or more defibrillation electrode pads and a presence sensor. The presence sensor configured to detect the presence of the tray at a home position. In some embodiments, the AED is configured to be activated when the tray is pulled from the home position.

Abstract: System and methods for delivering defibrillator incident information to a PSAP in real-time during emergency use of an AED are described. Such information is utilized by a telecommunicator at a PSAP to provide better guidance to volunteer caregivers during potential cardiac arrest incidents. In another aspect the AED's current instruction state and optionally the time in that state is provided to the PSAP.

Abstract: A variety of dispatcher user interfaces, communications architectures, methods, apparatus, APIs and protocols are described that can help facilitate the integration of volunteer responder networks into the workflows of PSAP dispatchers. In one aspect, a dispatcher user interface facilitates activation of the volunteer responder network, as well as tracking and/or communicating notes to medical devices such as AEDs in the responder network that have accepted an incident.

Abstract: A variety of methods, medical devices, responder network servers, emergency services interfaces and call center related processes are described that can help improve responder networks designed to get a medical device such as an automated external defibrillator and/or volunteer responders to the scene of a potential medical incident.

Abstract: Neural network based heart rhythm classifiers are described. The neural network is configured to receive an electrocardiogram segment and to output an indication of whether the electrocardiogram segment represents a heart rhythm that is suitable for treatment by a defibrillation shock. Preferably, the received electrocardiogram segment is not transformed or processed prior to its reception by the neural network and no features of the electrocardiogram are identified to the neural network. In some embodiments, the received electrocardiogram segment is the sole input to the neural network. In various embodiments, the neural network is configured to classify electrocardiogram segments obtained while CPR was being performed on the patient. Classifiers that output a characteristic of CPR are also described. Such outputs may include an indication of whether CPR was being performed while the ECG was being detected, compression depth, etc. The described classifiers are well suited for use in defibrillators.

Abstract: System and methods for delivering defibrillator incident information to a PSAP in real-time during emergency use of an AED are described. Such information is utilized by a telecommunicator at a PSAP to provide better guidance to volunteer caregivers during potential cardiac arrest incidents. In another aspect the AED's current instruction state and optionally the time in that state is provided to the PSAP.

Abstract: Methods, user interfaces and systems are described that enable responder preferences to be considered during deployment of a public responder network. In various embodiments, a user is able to select or define an area for which incident notifications are desired or are to be restricted in some manner. The described approach is well suited for public responder networks that include medical devices such as defibrillators (e.g., AEDs) in the network.

Abstract: Status messages are wirelessly broadcast from medical devices (e.g., defibrillators) as advertisements that don't require the establishment of a wireless connection with listeners. The listeners are configured to act on, or forward received status messages as appropriate. The listeners may optionally include supplemental information supplied by the listener device when forwarding a status message to a management server. The listener may optionally analyze received status messages to determine whether an action should be taken based at least in part on status information in the message. Actions performed by the listener may include initiating a connection with the transmitting device to facilitate uploading new information from the defibrillator, updating the defibrillator's firmware, etc. Optionally, some of the advertisements are configured as beacons. The advertisements/beacons may be transmitted using a Bluetooth Low Energy or other suitable protocols.

Abstract: Several defibrillators, defibrillator architectures, defibrillator components and methods of operating defibrillators are described. In one aspect, a modular defibrillator architecture is described. A base unit provides a fully functional defibrillator. The functionality of the base unit can be supplemented by attaching an interface unit to the base unit or by connecting a smartphone the base unit. Such devices provide connectivity as well as a screen for displaying supplementary graphics and/or videos which are useful to support both emergency and maintenance & monitoring activities. In some embodiments a battery pack may also or alternatively be coupled to the base unit to prolong the unit's shelf life before recharging or replacement of its batteries is required. If necessary the base unit can be powered from a connected external device such as a mobile communication device.

Abstract: A variety of methods, medical devices, responder network servers, emergency services interfaces and call center related processes are described that can help improve responder networks designed to get a medical device such as an automated external defibrillator and/or volunteer responders to the scene of a potential medical incident.

Abstract: System and methods for delivering defibrillator incident information to a PSAP in real-time during emergency use of an AED are described. Such information is utilized by a telecommunicator at a PSAP to provide better guidance to volunteer caregivers during potential cardiac arrest incidents. In another aspect the AED's current instruction state and optionally the time in that state is provided to the PSAP.

Abstract: Defibrillator shock discharge control systems and schemes are described that control the shock discharge based at least in part on discharge capacitor voltage measurement taken after the defibrillation shock has been initiated.

Abstract: Status messages are wirelessly broadcast from medical devices (e.g., defibrillators) as advertisements that don't require the establishment of a wireless connection with listeners. The listeners are configured to act on, or forward, received status messages as appropriate. The listeners may optionally include supplemental information supplied by the listener when forwarding a status message to a management server. The listener may optionally analyze received status messages to determine whether an action should be taken based at least in part on status information in the message. Actions performed by the listener may include initiating a connection with the transmitting device to facilitate uploading new information from the medical device, updating the medical device's firmware, etc. Optionally, some of the advertisements are configured as beacons. The advertisements/beacons may be transmitted using a Bluetooth Low Energy or other suitable protocols.

Abstract: Status messages are wirelessly broadcast from medical devices (e.g., defibrillators) as advertisements that don't require the establishment of a wireless connection with listeners. The listeners are configured to act on, or forward received status messages as appropriate. The listeners may optionally include supplemental information supplied by the listener device when forwarding a status message to a management server. The listener may optionally analyze received status messages to determine whether an action should be taken based at least in part on status information in the message. Actions performed by the listener may include initiating a connection with the transmitting device to facilitate uploading new information from the defibrillator, updating the defibrillator's firmware, etc. Optionally, some of the advertisements are configured as beacons. The advertisements/beacons may be transmitted using a Bluetooth Low Energy or other suitable protocols.

Abstract: A variety of electrode pad cartridges are described that are suitable for use with a defibrillator. In one aspect the cartridge includes a housing and a tray that carries a pair of defibrillation electrode pads. At least a portion of the tray is slidably received within the cartridge housing such that the electrode pads are received within the housing. The tray is configured to be slidably pulled from the cartridge housing while the housing remains attached to the defibrillator to provide access to the electrode pads to facilitate use of the defibrillator.