Abstract: A defibrillator adapted for use with accessory cassettes. In one embodiment, the defibrillator comprises a body, a pair of electrodes, means for mounting the electrodes to the body, means for mounting an accessory device to the body, and contact means for electrically connecting the electrode elements to the accessory device when the electrodes and accessory device are mounted to the body. The defibrillator may also include a test load, and the contact means may be adapted to electrically connect the test load to the electrode elements when the accessory device is not mounted to the body and to break the electrical connection between the test load and the electrode elements when the accessory device is mounted to the body. In one embodiment, the accessory device comprises an adapter for connecting an accessory electrode set to the defibrillator.

Abstract: A device is disclosed for making blood pressure measurements using an inflatable cuff (12), wherein the cuff deflation rate is established based upon prior blood pressure measurements. The cuff is adapted for applying pressure to a patient adjacent a blood vessel. the device includes means (14, 16) for inflating and deflating the cuff, a sensor system (60) for providing sensor signals during cuff deflation that correspond to the cuff pressure and to the blood flow surges in the blood vessel, and a process controller (100). The process controller causes inflation of the cuff to a first pressure and subsequent deflation of the cuff from the first pressure to a lower second pressure at a preestablished deflation rate, the inflation and subsequent deflation of the cuff comprising one measurement cycle.

Abstract: A portable, interactive medical electronic device exemplified by a defibrillator. The device obtains information about a patient's condition, such as ECG and transthoracic impedance data, directly from the patient, and information pertinent to the treatment of the patient indirectly through an operator of the device, and produces a medically appropriate action such as a defibrillation shock in response. Indirect information is obtained through information processing means that includes means for prompting the operator of the device and means for receiving the operator's responses thereto. Prompts may include both questions and instructions, and in one embodiment the information processing means obtains the assent of the operator before causing the defibrillation shock. Indirect information may include information as to whether the patient is conscious, and as to whether or not cardiopulmonary resuscitation has been performed.

Abstract: A portable, interactive medical electronic device exemplified by a defibrillator. The device obtains information about a patient's condition, such as ECG and transthoracic impedance data, directly from the patient, and information pertinent to the treatment of the patient indirectly through an operator of the device, and produces a medically appropriate action such as a defibrillation shock in response. Indirect information is obtained through information processing means that includes means for prompting the operator of the device and means for receiving the operator's responses thereto. Prompts may include both questions and instructions, and in one embodiment the information processing means obtains the assent of the operator before causing the defibrillation shock. Indirect information may include information as to whether the patient is conscious, and as to whether or not cardiopulmonary resuscitiation has been performed.

Abstract: A system for providing battery power to a portable defibrillator that includes a first housing having a generally vertical first sidewall (32). The system comprises battery pack (12) that includes a second housing having a second sidewall (38), battery means (80, 82) mounted within the second housing, and first electrical connector means (66) mounted in and extending through the second housing and electrically connected to the battery means. The system further comprises means forming grooves (46, 50) along the upper and lower edges of the first sidewall, and tongue means (40, 42) extending from the second sidewall, the tongue means being shaped to be slidingly received between the groove means to mount the battery pack to the defibrillator. A latch (68) is provided for latching the tongue means against lengthwise motion when the tongue means is received between the groove means.

Abstract: An automated ventilation, CPR and circulatory assistance apparatus includes an airway apparatus 10, a vest 12 including an inflatable bladder 18, and an abdominal restraint 14 including an inflatable bladder 22. An airway pneumatic control apparatus 84, a vest pneumatic control apparatus 86, and an abdominal restraint pneumatic control apparatus 88 are in fluid communication with the airway apparatus, the vest bladder, and the abdominal restraint bladder, respectively, and responsive to respective first and second states in an airway control signal AWC, a vest control signal VC, and an abdominal restraint control signal ARC to alternately inflate and deflate the patient's lungs, the vest bladder, and the abdominal restraint bladder, respectively. Provision is made for selectively adjusting the volume of gas that is coupled to the patient's lungs, and the maximum pressures that are obtained in the vest bladder and the abdominal restraint bladder. An electronic control means (FIGS.

Abstract: A bipolar electrode 10 capable of sensing the electrical activity in a localized portion of body tissue includes a disc 12 having a surface 12A adapted to be brought into proximity to a surface of the body tissue, and an inner electrode or conductive spike 14 and a first outer electrode or helix 16 that are supported by disc 12 and that extend from surface 12A. Corkscrew 16 surrounds spike 14, and the tip 16A of helix 16 is located at a greater distance away from surface 12A than is tip 14A of spike 14. Tripolar electrodes 30, 50 utilize this structure along with a second outer electrode or helix 38 (in tripolar electrode 30) and an annular conductive ring 58 (in tripolar electrode 50) for respectively applying pacing and defibrillation pulses to the heart.

Abstract: A bellows 10 is adapted to be placed on the chest of a patient and includes a closed chamber which is coupled by a conduit 20 and a first valve apparatus 22 to an airway apparatus 24 adapted to be inserted into the patient's airway, and by a second valve apparatus 26 and a conduit 28 to an inflatable bladder 30 forming part of an abdominal restraint 32 adapted to be secured about that portion of the patient's body in the region of the abdomen. As the bellows is being compressed by the application of manual force, valve apparatus 22 functions to couple the gas being expelled from the bellows into the patient's lungs via airway apparatus 24 (with valve apparatus 22 also functioning to limit the resultant lung pressure to a desired value), whereby the patient's intrathoracic pressure is increased due to the combination of the manual force applied to the patient's chest through the bellows and the pressure generated in the patient's lungs.

Abstract: An EKG monitor/recorder and defibrillator which are contained in separate housings are mechanically interconnected by a tongue member located on an exterior surface of the housing of the EKG monitor/recorder and a groove member located on an exterior surface of the housing of the defibrillator. The groove member receives the tongue member with a translative, sliding fit to also permit easy disconnection and separation of the EKG monitor/recorder and the defibrillator. Electrical interconnection between the EKG monitor/recorder and the defibrillator is afforded by a pair of novel electrical slide connectors respectively located in the exterior surfaces of the housings in proximity to the tongue and groove members, with each electrical slide connector including a plurality of spaced-apart leaf spring contacts which, in assembly, extend parallel to the direction of translative movement of the EKG monitor/recorder and defibrillator housings.

Abstract: An EKG monitor/recorder and defibrillator which are contained in separate housings are mechanically interconnected by a tongue member located on an exterior surface of the housing of the EKG monitor/recorder and a groove member located on an exterior surface of the housing of the defibrillator. The groove member receives the tongue member with a translative, sliding fit to also permit easy disconnection and separation of the EKG monitor/recorder and the defibrillator. Electrical interconnection between the EKG monitor/recorder and the defibrillator is afforded by a pair of novel electrical slide connectors respectively located in the exterior surfaces of the housings in proximity to the tongue and groove members, with each electrical slide connector including a plurality of spaced-apart leaf spring contacts which, in assembly, extend parallel to the direction of translative movement of the EKG monitor/recorder and defibrillator housings.