Abstract: Battery powered systems with long standby times, such as automatic external defibrillators (AEDs), may be required to indicate their operational status to a user by blinking lights or sounding speakers or buzzers. These active status indication activities consume power thereby reducing the battery life of the system. To conserve power and to be more effective in seeking attention from a human operator, the status alerts for the AED produced by an active status indicator (ASI) system can be more meaningful to humans or more unique relative to status alerts provided by conventional devices. Additionally, the ASI system may automatically adjust power consumed by the indicators in response to sensing environmental conditions of the AED.

Abstract: Battery powered systems with long standby times, such as automatic external defibrillators, may be required to indicate their operational status to a user by blinking lights or sounding speakers or buzzers. These active status indication activities consume power thereby reducing the battery life of the system. Automatically adjusting the level and frequency of these indication activities to match the ambient environment can reduce power consumption of the battery operated system. For example, in a dimly lit room, an indicator light may be visible even though it might be too dim to be seen in a bright room. Thus, if the room is dim, indicator lights can be dimmed to conserve power. These automatic adjustments made in response to the environment may help conserve power and extend battery life.

Abstract: The connector between the patient electrode pads and the base unit of an automatic external defibrillator (AED) system can be formed by capturing a printed circuit board (PCB) within a connector housing. The PCB can have conductive metal traces that serve as the contact points between the wires from the patient electrodes and the electronics within the AED base unit. The PCB in combination with the conductive metal traces can be shaped similar to a conventional two-prong or two-blade connector. Employing such a PCB-based connector may result in AED pads which are less complex and less costly to manufacture. The PCB can also support a configuration circuit that is positioned between the conductive metal traces and that allows the AED to read and store information about the attached pads. For example, the AED can use this data storage feature to check the expiration date of the pads.

Abstract: A video display coupled to an automatic external defibrillator (AED) and capable of full-motion video can support added functionality of the AED. One advantage of the video display is that it can be used to present standby status information of the AED quickly to an AED operator while the AED is in a low power standby mode or non-operative state. The video display may present status information in response to touching the display or activating a button while the AED is in a non-operative state. When the AED is in an operative state, such as during a rescue, the display may comprise a graphical user interface that may be navigated using touch-screen technology or buttons built into the AED. During a rescue, the video display may present live or stored electrocardiograms (ECGs) and instructions for operating the AED.

Abstract: A system and method provides a status indicator to a battery pack of a medical device. The battery pack includes a power supply capable of being connected to the medical device. The battery pack also includes an indicator to automatically indicate a status of at least a portion of at least one of the battery pack and the medical device. For example, the indicator can indicate a status of the power supply.

Abstract: A battery system for a medical device includes a first power supply and a second power supply. The first power supply is capable of being connected to the medical device to supply power to the medical device during a first operating mode of the medical device. The second power supply supplies power to at least one of a portion of the medical device and the battery system during an alternate mode, exclusive of a state the first power supply.