Abstract: The invention presents techniques for making the operation of an automated external defibrillator easier to understand for an operator. The automated external defibrillator includes defibrillation electrodes packaged in a sealed, easy-to-open pouch. Visual cues such as instructive pictures show the operator how to open the pouch, retrieve the defibrillation electrodes and correctly position the electrodes on a patient's chest.

Abstract: The disclosure describes techniques for protecting patient data stored in a medical device, such as an external defibrillator. The patient data may be transferred, or downloaded, from the medical device to another device, such as to a computing device for storage or analysis. In response to the download, the medical device may protect the patient data so that at least subset of users can no longer access the patient data. Patient data may be protected by modifying the data form, encrypting the data, moving the data to another memory module, password protecting the patient data, or modifying an access control list associated with the patient data. While the patient data may also be deleted as a technique for protecting the data, not deleting the data may allow the data to be recovered at a later time by an authorized user, i.e., a user not part of the subset.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for determining a defibrillation treatment protocol in an external defibrillator using a measurement of elapsed time. The present invention provides a defibrillator with a timer function. Upon activation of the defibrillator, an internal timer begins to run. By closely associating the activation of the defibrillator with the onset of the patient's attack, and by making allowances for inherent time differences between these events, the timer provides a measure of the elapsed time between the onset of the patient's emergency and the presentation of the defibrillator at the patient's side. Using this measure of elapsed time, the defibrillator determines an appropriate treatment therapy, such as CPR or defibrillation therapy.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for determining a defibrillation treatment protocol in an external defibrillator using a measurement of elapsed time. The present invention provides a defibrillator with a timer function. Upon activation of the defibrillator, an internal timer begins to run. By closely associating the activation of the defibrillator with the onset of the patient's attack, and by making allowances for inherent time differences between these events, the timer provides a measure of the elapsed time between the onset of the patient's emergency and the presentation of the defibrillator at the patient's side. Using this measure of elapsed time, the defibrillator determines an appropriate treatment therapy, such as CPR or defibrillation therapy.

Abstract: In general, the invention is directed to management of information from a plurality of emergency medical devices, such as automated external defibrillators, and associated docking stations. The medical devices and docking stations may communicate with one another and with a remote unit. The managed information includes information pertaining to authorized access and maintenance, inspection indications and inspection certifications. In general, an authorized user can access the emergency medical device without activating alarms that would accompany an emergency. The authorized user can further use the user input interface to enter an inspection certification, which records the inspection, the maintenance performed, the date the device is returned to service, and so forth.

Abstract: The invention presents an apparatus and techniques for determining whether a medical electrode, such as a defibrillation electrode coupled to an automated external defibrillator, is in a condition for replacement. The determination can be made as a function of one or more data. In one exemplary embodiment, the determination is a function of one or more measurements of an impedance of a hydrogel bridge in a test module. In another exemplary embodiment, the determination is a function of one or more environmental condition data from one or more environmental sensors.

Abstract: In general, the invention is directed to management of information from a plurality of emergency medical devices, such as automated external defibrillators, and associated docking stations. The medical devices and docking stations may communicate with one another and with a remote unit. The managed information includes information pertaining to authorized access and maintenance, inspection indications and inspection certifications. In general, an authorized user can access the emergency medical device without activating alarms that would accompany an emergency. The authorized user can further use the user input interface to enter an inspection certification, which records the inspection, the maintenance performed, the date the device is returned to service, and so forth.

Abstract: The invention presents an apparatus and techniques for determining whether a medical electrode, such as a defibrillation electrode coupled to an automated external defibrillator, is in a condition for replacement. The determination can be made as a function of one or more data. In one exemplary embodiment, the determination is a function of one or more measurements of an impedance of a hydrogel bridge in a test module. In another exemplary embodiment, the determination is a function of one or more environmental condition data from one or more environmental sensors.

Abstract: In general, the invention is directed to techniques for using an external defibrillator to detect a presence of an implantable medical device (IMD) implanted within a patient, and providing therapy to the patient through communication between the external defibrillator and the IMD. An external defibrillator provides prompts to a user of the external defibrillator to determine the presence of an IMD implanted within the patient. For example, the external defibrillator may prompt the user to visually inspect the patient's chest for signs that an IMD was implanted, such as a scar or raised portion of skin near the patient's clavicles. As another example, the external defibrillator may prompt the user to place a detection device on the patient's chest. The detection device may be coupled to the external defibrillator, and may employ a magnet to initiate telemetry by the IMD to detect the presence of the IMD.

Abstract: The disclosure describes techniques for protecting patient data stored in a medical device, such as an external defibrillator. The patient data may be transferred, or downloaded, from the medical device to another device, such as to a computing device for storage or analysis. In response to the download, the medical device may protect the patient data so that at least subset of users can no longer access the patient data. Patient data may be protected by modifying the data form, encrypting the data, moving the data to another memory module, password protecting the patient data, or modifying an access control list associated with the patient data. While the patient data may also be deleted as a technique for protecting the data, not deleting the data may allow the data to be recovered at a later time by an authorized user, i.e., a user not part of the subset.

Abstract: The invention presents techniques for making the operation of an automated external defibrillator easier to understand for an operator. The automated external defibrillator includes defibrillation electrodes packaged in a sealed, easy-to-open pouch. Visual cues such as instructive pictures show the operator how to open the pouch, retrieve the defibrillation electrodes and correctly position the electrodes on a patient's chest.

Abstract: The power source in a portable defibrillator includes a replaceable first power pack and a rechargeable second power pack. The first power pack charges the second power pack. The second power pack supplies most of the energy needed to administer a defibrillation shock. The first power pack may include one or more lithium thionyl chloride batteries. The second power pack may include one or more lithium ion batteries and/or ultracapacitors.

Abstract: An ECG signal detection device that includes a differential amplifier input circuit and a driven reference electrode lead is disclosed. More specifically, the ECG signal detection device includes a differential amplifier input circuit and three-electrode leads, two of which terminate at a common patient coupling device such as an electrode pad or a defibrillator paddle. The third electrode lead terminates at a second, separate patient coupling device. Two electrical cords that include the electrode leads extend between the patient coupling devices and the differential amplifier input circuit. One electrical cord includes the two-electrode leads that terminate at the common patient coupling device.

Abstract: In general, the disclosure presents techniques for control of a cooling garment in response to a signal that is a function of a patient parameter such as body temperature. In particular, a cooling garment that receives a coolant and a carrier gas is placed in contact with the body of a patient. A sensor within the cooling garment may generate a signal as a function of a patient parameter. A controller receives the signal via communication link, and may send a signal to a regulator that may regulate delivery of the coolant and/or carrier gas, for example.

Abstract: The invention presents techniques for making the operation of an automated external defibrillator easier to understand for an operator. The automated external defibrillator includes defibrillation electrodes packaged in a sealed, easy-to-open pouch. Visual cues such as instructive pictures show the operator how to open the pouch, retrieve the defibrillation electrodes and correctly position the electrodes on a patient's chest.

Abstract: The invention is directed to techniques and apparatus for controlling the temperature of a coolant delivered to a patient in a hypothermic therapy system, including a hypothermic therapy system that can be applied to a patient outside or inside a hospital setting. In general, the coolant is in a pressurized form at ambient temperature, and is expanded proximate to the patient to cause the coolant to cool. Cooling garments placed in contact with the body of the patient circulate the cooled coolant proximate to the patient to cool the patient. A controller controls the temperature of the coolant by mixing the coolant with ambient air, for example, to reduce the risk of harm the patient.

Abstract: A dosage for electrotherapy delivered to a patient, such as a defibrillation pulse delivered by an external defibrillator, is selected based on an age-related classification, such as adult or child, and a measured electrical parameter, such as the transthoracic impedance, of the patient. For example, a nominal voltage level for an energy storage circuit may be determined based on a nominal dosage. The nominal voltage level may be adjusted by applying a function that relates voltage level adjustment to impedance to the measured impedance. The function may be selected based on the age-related classification of the patient. The dosage of the defibrillation pulse delivered based on the adjusted voltage level, i.e., the selected dosage, may have a substantially equivalent probability of success for the patient as the nominal dosage would provide for a reference patient with an average transthoracic impedance for the class of which the patient is a member.