Abstract: The present invention comprises a cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) feedback device and a method for performing CPR. A chest compression detector device is provided that measures chest compression during the administration of CPR. The chest compression detector device comprises a signal transmitter operably positioned on the chest of the patient and adapted to broadcast a signal, and a signal receiver adapted to receive the signal. The chest compression detector device also comprises a processor, operably connected to the signal transmitter and the signal receiver. The processor repeatedly analyzes the signal received to determine from the signal a series of measurements of compression of the chest, and feedback is provided to the rescuer based on the series of measurements.

Abstract: An automated external defibrillator (AED) and methods for reducing the delay between termination of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and administration of a defibrillating shock, among other disclosed apparatus and methods. In one embodiment, the AED includes an ECG sensor that obtains an ECG signal corresponding to patient heart activity and a prompting device that provides instructions regarding cardiopulmonary resuscitation. The AED also has a control system including a microprocessor programmed to run two rhythm analysis algorithms after instructions to terminate CPR. The two rhythm analysis algorithms analyze segments of the ECG signal for recognizing the presence of a shockable rhythm, with one algorithm having a delayed start relative to the other algorithm. The AED additionally includes a therapy generation circuit for treating the shockable rhythm with a defibrillation pulse in response to the control system determining the presence of a shockable rhythm.

Abstract: A method of treating a patient for ventricular tachycardia using a wearable defibrillator includes monitoring the patient for a predetermined condition via one or more electrodes on the defibrillator, sending a message to the patient in response to the predetermined condition, activating the defibrillator so that the defibrillator delivers defibrillation energy to the patient, and storing at least one of the results of the monitoring, sending and activating steps in a memory on the defibrillator. The method also includes downloading information stored in the memory of the defibrillator to a base station having an external interface, and transmitting the information downloaded from the memory of the base station to an external location via the external interface of the base station.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for evaluating ambulatory electrocardiographic (ECG) monitoring of cardiac rhythm disorders is provided. A patient is registered online and medical records for the patient are assembled. An ambulatory ECG monitor that includes leadless integrated sensing electrodes independently suspended from a flexible housing, is registered to the patient. An electrocardiogram is retrieved from the recording circuitry. The electrocardiogram and the medical records are evaluated against diagnostic criteria. Upon making a finding when the diagnostic criteria is met, the patient is referred to a cardiac rhythm specialist online, which includes sending the cardiac rhythm abnormality finding. As a result, both physicians and patients enjoy an ease-of-use not found with conventional ambulatory ECG monitors.

Abstract: An automated external defibrillator (AED) and methods for a corrective CPR prompting system. The AED includes a sensor that obtains compression measurement data of CPR chest compressions and a control system including a microprocessor programmed to run a non-parametric, Information-Theoretic analysis of the compression measurement data. The analysis includes ranking provided compression measurement data, determining a prompt time TN for review, locating the compression measurement data at TN in an initial expected histogram of depth and rate aspects of the compression data measurements with upper and lower limits, that divides the intervals of the histogram into a plurality of sections, weighting the compression measurement data based on a plurality of factors, deriving information content of the compression measurement data by mapping a probability density function into an information content function, and determining if a particular corrective prompt is necessary.

Abstract: A computer-implemented electrocardiographic data processor with time stamp correlation is provided. A monitoring circuit includes a persistent memory and power supply that powers an encoder that determines a differential voltage between a current discrete digital voltage value and a prior voltage value. The differential voltage is stored into the persistent memory in a digitized data stream representative of analog cardiac action potential signals. Digitally-encoded voltage values and time stamps are retrieved from the persistent memory. A post-processing application executes. A set of output voltages and voltage differences that each correspond to lower and upper bounds of voltage is stored. Each retrieved voltage value is compared to the voltage bounds and the voltage differences within which each retrieved voltage value falls is identified. The output voltages corresponding to the voltage differences is selected.

Abstract: A computer-implemented electrocardiographic data processor with time stamp correlation is provided. A monitoring circuit includes a persistent memory and power supply that powers an encoder that determines a differential voltage between a current discrete digital voltage value and a prior voltage value. The differential voltage is stored into the persistent memory in a digitized data stream representative of analog cardiac action potential signals. Digitally-encoded voltage values and time stamps are retrieved from the persistent memory. A post-processing application executes. A set of output voltages and voltage differences that each correspond to lower and upper bounds of voltage is stored. Each retrieved voltage value is compared to the voltage bounds and the voltage differences within which each retrieved voltage value falls is identified. The output voltages corresponding to the voltage differences is selected.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) feedback device and a method for performing CPR. A chest compression detector device is provided that measures chest compression during the administration of CPR. The chest compression detector device comprises a signal transmitter operably positioned on the chest of the patient and adapted to broadcast a signal, and a signal receiver adapted to receive the signal. The chest compression detector device also comprises a processor, operably connected to the signal transmitter and the signal receiver. The processor repeatedly analyzes the signal received to determine from the signal a series of measurements of compression of the chest, and feedback is provided to the rescuer based on the series of measurements.

Abstract: A medical data acquisition and display system utilizing separate data signals to transmit both high-resolution data and low-latency synchronization data acquired from patient sensors utilizing different wireless protocols. The low-latency stream of data transmitted over a radio frequency transmission as a timing-pulse in real-time. This high-resolution data includes detailed sensor readings from the patient and also includes digital markers (i.e., the timing-pulse) identifying the temporal location of the high-resolution data relative to imaging data that is simultaneously acquired from a patient. The high-resolution data can be electrocardiogram (ECG) data. The timing pulse can be based on the physiological QRS complex within the ECG data. The imaging data can be echocardiogram imagery of a heart that generated the ECG data.

Abstract: A computer-implemented electrocardiographic data processor with time stamp correlation is provided. A monitoring circuit includes a persistent memory and power supply that powers an encoder that determines a differential voltage between a current discrete digital voltage value and a prior voltage value. The differential voltage is stored into the persistent memory in a digitized data stream representative of analog cardiac action potential signals. Digitally-encoded voltage values and time stamps are retrieved from the persistent memory. A post-processing application executes. A set of output voltages and voltage differences that each correspond to lower and upper bounds of voltage is stored. Each retrieved voltage value is compared to the voltage bounds and the voltage differences within which each retrieved voltage value falls is identified. The output voltages corresponding to the voltage differences is selected.

Abstract: An ambulatory electrocardiographic (ECG) monitor with a jumpered sensing electrode and method of use for female and large-girthed patients is provided. Self-powered ECG sensing circuitry is fully enclosed in a housing with electrode receptacles on a bottom surface. A flexible and stretchable electrode mounting panel is provided with a layer of skin adhesive. A standoff pad is placed between the housing and the electrode mounting panel. Sensing electrodes are mounted on opposite ends of the mounting panel. Each sensing electrode includes an electrode pad facing the skin contacting surface and an oppositely-facing electrode plug. Each plug is removably and pivotably couplable into the receptacles. A jumper wire assembly includes a jumper plug electrically connected to a jumper receptacle. The jumper plug is removably and pivotably couplable into the receptacles and the jumper receptacle is removably and pivotably couplable into the plugs on the mounting panel opposite from the standoff pad.

Abstract: An ambulatory electrocardiographic (ECG) monitor with a jumpered sensing electrode and method of use is provided. Self-powered ECG sensing circuitry is fully enclosed in a housing that provides electrode connection receptacles on a bottom surface of the housing. A flexible and stretchable electrode mounting panel having an elongated shape is provided with a layer of skin adhesive on a skin contacting surface. Sensing electrodes are mounted on opposite ends of the mounting panel. Each sensing electrode includes an electrode pad facing the skin contacting surface and an oppositely-facing electrode connection plug. Each connection plug is removably and pivotably couplable into the connection receptacles. A jumper wire assembly includes a jumper connection plug electrically connected to a jumper connection receptacle.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) feedback device and a method for performing CPR. A chest compression detector device is provided that measures chest compression during the administration of CPR. The chest compression detector device comprises a signal transmitter operably positioned on the chest of the patient and adapted to broadcast a signal, and a signal receiver adapted to receive the signal. The chest compression detector device also comprises a processor, operably connected to the signal transmitter and the signal receiver. The processor repeatedly analyzes the signal received to determine from the signal a series of measurements of compression of the chest, and feedback is provided to the rescuer based on the series of measurements.

Abstract: An automated external defibrillator (AED) and methods for a corrective CPR prompting system. The AED includes a sensor that obtains compression measurement data of CPR chest compressions and a control system including a microprocessor programmed to run a non-parametric, Information-Theoretic analysis of the compression measurement data. The analysis includes ranking provided compression measurement data, determining a prompt time TN for review, locating the compression measurement data at TN in an initial expected histogram of depth and rate aspects of the compression data measurements with upper and lower limits, that divides the intervals of the histogram into a plurality of sections, weighting the compression measurement data based on a plurality of factors, deriving information content of the compression measurement data by mapping a probability density function into an information content function, and determining if a particular corrective prompt is necessary.

Abstract: A method and apparatus utilizing a piecewise stitching adaptive algorithm (PSAA) to filter signal artifacts, such as those induced by cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) from sensed signals in real-time. PSAA is a method of estimating artifact component present in a first signal that is highly correlated with a second signal. The PSAA may utilize autocorrelation and cross-correlation calculations to determine signal sample windows in the first and second signals. The PSAA may estimate a signal artifact in a primary signal segment based on the determined correlations between the primary signal and an artifact signal. The PSAA may remove the estimated signal artifact from the primary signal. In the absence of an artifact signal, PSAA is able to estimate artifacts in the first signal utilizing filters. The PSAA may be implemented in Automated External Defibrillators, Monitor Defibrillators or other devices capable sensing highly correlated signals such as, for example, ECG and CPR signals.

Abstract: A method for constructing an instrument with a covered bore for subcutaneous implantation is provided. An incising body is formed by defining a non-circular coaxial bore and sharpening a cutting edge extending from a bottom distal end beyond the opening of the coaxial bore and affixing an attachment point at a top distal end. A plunger is constructed sized to fit within the coaxial bore. The plunger is inserted in the bore of the incising body. A cover is affixed to the attachment point, wherein the cover extends down to the bottom distal end and, when closed, the cover encloses the opening proximal to the cutting edge.

Abstract: A subcutaneous implantation instrument with a scissored dissecting tool assembly is provided. An incising shaft longitudinally defines a substantially non-circular bore continuously formed to communicatively receive an implantable object and further includes a beveled cutting blade formed on a distal end. A dissecting tool assembly is included. A longitudinally split needle tip forms a pair of blades with cutting edges progressively defined outwardly from the needle tip. A pair of handles are each distally attached to one of the blades and pivotably coupled and disposed for transverse operation, wherein the dissecting tool assembly is removably affixable to the distal end of the incising shaft. A delivery mechanism longitudinally defines a substantially non-circular bore continuously formed to deploy the implantable object into the incising shaft.

Abstract: A straight cutting tip for a straight bore subcutaneous implantation instrument is provided. An incising shaft body defines an axial bore extending continuously throughout the incising shaft body's length. The axial bore is open on both distal and proximal ends of the incising shaft body and has a non-circular cross section of at least five millimeters. A beveled surface is transversely formed beginning on a top surface and ending on a bottom surface of the distal end of the incising shaft body. A straight and sharpened cutting edge with rounded ends on each side curves inwardly towards the proximal end of the incising shaft body. The cutting edge is defined only along a bottom distal edge of the beveled surface. An attachment point is formed on the proximal end of the incising shaft body.