Patents Assigned to Physio-Control
  • Patent number: 10136815
    Abstract: A remote patient monitoring system having a main patient monitor and a remote patient monitor. The main patient monitor is configured to receive and collect one or more patient physiological parameters and to provide an alarm in response to an alarm trigger. The alarm trigger includes a determination that at least one of the collected patient physiological parameters has reached a predetermined value. The remote patient monitor has an alarm reset and is configured to be carried by a caregiver. It is also configured to receive a signal from the main patient monitor in response to the alarm and to transmit an indication about the alarm trigger. The indication includes one or more of a notification that the patient is being attended to, a request by the caregiver for additional help, or a message about resolution of the alarm trigger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: PHYSIO-CONTROL, INC.
    Inventors: Richard Mark Lyon, Robert G. Walker, Jeffery S. Edwards, Niklas Andersson, Bethany Joyce Johnson
  • Patent number: 10124184
    Abstract: A modular external defibrillator system in embodiments of the teachings may include one or more of the following features: a base containing a defibrillator to deliver a defibrillation shock to a patient, (b) one or more pods each connectable to a patient via patient lead cables to collect at least one patient vital sign, the pods operable at a distance from the base, (c) a wireless communications link between the base and a selected one of the two or more pods to carry patient data from the selected pod to the base, the selection being based on which pod is associated with the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: PHYSIO-CONTROL, INC.
    Inventors: Christopher Pearce, Thomas J. McGrath, Randy L. Merry, John C. Daynes, Kenneth J. Peterson, Peter Wung, Michael D. McMahon, D. Craig Edwards, Eric T. Hoierman, Rockland W. Nordness, James S. Neumiller
  • Patent number: 10124181
    Abstract: A defibrillator system optimizes the timing and manner of applying a defibrillator charge to a patient based upon data provided to the defibrillator from a utility module or one or more external devices. A parameter module on the utility module provides the defibrillator with patient parameter information. Devices external to the utility module may provide the utility module with coaching data that the utility module may pass through to the defibrillator as a proxy to the external devices. The utility module may also provide external devices with patient data that the utility module may pass through to the external devices as a proxy to the defibrillator on a scheduled or other basis. The utility module may additionally provide a reserve of power to enable defibrillators to be used where power is unavailable and to enable defibrillators to deliver multiple charges more readily anywhere, anytime.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: PHYSIO-CONTROL., INC.
    Inventors: David Dean Aoyama, Matthew Lawrence Bielstein, Barry D. Curtin, Kevin C. Drew, Mina Lim, E. Thomas McKay, Randy L. Merry, Ken Peterson
  • Patent number: 10118048
    Abstract: A defibrillator system optimizes the timing and manner of applying a defibrillator charge to a patient based upon data provided to the defibrillator from a utility module or one or more external devices. A parameter module on the utility module provides the defibrillator with patient parameter information. Devices external to the utility module may provide the utility module with coaching data that the utility module may pass through to the defibrillator as a proxy to the external devices. The utility module may also provide external devices with patient data that the utility module may pass through to the external devices as a proxy to the defibrillator on a scheduled or other basis. The utility module may additionally provide a reserve of power to enable defibrillators to be used where power is unavailable and to enable defibrillators to deliver multiple charges more readily anywhere, anytime.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: PHYSIO-CONTROL, INC.
    Inventors: David Dean Aoyama, Ryan William Apperson, Matthew Lawrence Bielstein, Barry D. Curtin, John Daynes, Kevin C. Drew, Karen Kraft Langman, Mina Lim, Neil G. McIlvaine, E. Thomas McKay, Randy L. Merry, Ken Peterson
  • Patent number: 10114807
    Abstract: Embodiments operate in contexts where field data have been generated from a field event, and annotations have been generated from the field data, which purport to identify events within the field data, such as CPR compressions and ventilations. Metrics are generated from the annotations, which are used in training. In such contexts, a grade may be assigned that reflects how well the annotations meet one or more accuracy criteria. The grade may be used in a number of ways. Reviewers may opt to disregard field data and metrics that have a low grade. Expert annotators may be guided as to precisely which annotations to revise, saving time. A low grade may decide that the results are not emailed to reviewers, but to annotators. A learning medical device can use the grade internally to adjust its own internal parameters so as to improve its annotating algorithms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: PHYSIO-CONTROL, INC.
    Inventors: Alexander Esibov, Isabelle Banville, Robert Marx, Fred Chapman, Randy Merry
  • Patent number: 10108782
    Abstract: A pneumatic coupler having a pneumatic control device and a coupler detection module. The coupler detection module coupled to the pneumatic control device. The pneumatic coupler also having a signal bearing medium that is communicatively coupled to the coupler detection module and to a pneumatic device coupled to the pneumatic coupler. The signal bearing medium storing one or more of an identification of the pneumatic coupler and instructions for the pneumatic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: PHYSIO-CONTROL, INC.
    Inventors: Barry Curtin, Matthew Bielstein, Ian Barnes, Ryan Apperson
  • Patent number: 10105546
    Abstract: A defibrillator system optimizes the timing and manner of applying a defibrillator charge to a patient based upon data provided to the defibrillator from a utility module or one or more external devices. A parameter module on the utility module provides the defibrillator with patient parameter information. Devices external to the utility module may provide the utility module with coaching data that the utility module may pass through to the defibrillator as a proxy to the external devices. The utility module may also provide external devices with patient data that the utility module may pass through to the external devices as a proxy to the defibrillator on a scheduled or other basis. The utility module may additionally provide a reserve of power to enable defibrillators to be used where power is unavailable and to enable defibrillators to deliver multiple charges more readily anywhere, anytime.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: PHYSIO-CONTROL, INC.
    Inventors: Barry D. Curtin, John Daynes, Karen Kraft Langman, Mina Lim, Neil G. McIlvaine, E. Thomas McKay, Randy L. Merry, Ken Peterson, Mitchell Allen Smith
  • Patent number: 10099061
    Abstract: Technologies and implementations for configuring of automated emergency medical equipment beacon are generally disclosed. The emergency medical equipment may provide a beacon indicating location and event of the emergency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: PHYSIO-CONTROL, INC.
    Inventor: Robert Reuben Buchanan
  • Patent number: 10099063
    Abstract: A defibrillator is provided with two processors for enhancing the defibrillation process. A first processor is dedicated to controlling when an electrical charge is applied to a patient. A second processor is dedicated to data operations for enhancing the coaching of the defibrillation process. The second data processor is in communication with one or more external devices for transmission and receipt of network data for further enhancing the coaching process. The second data processor allows both the defibrillator to be maintained with updated network data and software and the one or more external devices to be maintained with updated defibrillator data. Independent controllers provide multiple processing paths on critical charge and coaching functions; with the second data processor further providing redundancy control in the event of any malfunction of the first charge processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: PHYSIO-CONTROL, INC.
    Inventors: Ken Peterson, Mitchell A Smith, Denny Craig Edwards, Jeffery Scott Edwards, Pablo Gonzalez-Gandolfi, Rockland W Nordness, Matthew Lawrence Bielstein, Clayton Ming Young, David B Stewart, Paul R Juhasz, David Okey, Steven Witters, Ira M Turner
  • Patent number: 10098573
    Abstract: A medical device and/or a method are used by a rescuer who is caring for a patient. The depth of CPR chest compressions is determined, by detecting magnetic fields. An interference is sensed, which is not associated with the CPR chest compressions, but which is superimposed on the detected magnetic fields. Appropriate countermeasures may be taken, if the sensed interference is larger than a threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: PHYSIO-CONTROL, INC.
    Inventors: Isabelle L. Banville, Robert Peter Marx, Jr., David Thomas Brown, Richard C. Nova
  • Patent number: 10092464
    Abstract: Techniques and devices for securing a medical device to a patient-carrying device, such as a mechanical CPR device to a stretcher, are described herein. In one aspect, a medical device stabilization strap may include a first removable attachment shackle connected to a first end of a first strap. An adjustable quick release buckle may be disposed between a second end of the first strap and a proximal end of a second strap. A second removable attachment shackle may be connected to a distal end of the second strap. The first and second removable attachment shackles may each include a U-shaped bracket for removably engaging a medical device. The adjustable quick release buckle may adjust a length of the second strap, for example, to secure the medical device to the patient-carrying device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: PHYSIO-CONTROL, INC.
    Inventors: Marcus Ehrstedt, Bjarne Madsen Hardig, Anders Nilsson, Sara Katarina Lindroth
  • Patent number: 10086209
    Abstract: A medical device can include a housing, an energy storage module within the housing to store an electrical charge, and a defibrillation port to guide via electrodes the stored electrical charge to a person in need of medical assistance. The medical device can also include a processor to perform a patient signal analysis on an electrocardiogram (ECG) signal corresponding to the person and further determine, based on a result of the patient signal analysis, whether post-shock transcutaneous pacing should be performed on the person.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: PHYSIO-CONTROL, INC.
    Inventors: Joseph L. Sullivan, Fred Chapman
  • Patent number: 10080904
    Abstract: Systems, devices, software and methods are provided, for making a decision as to whether to administer an electric shock to a patient. The decision can be made differently, depending on whether the patient has already been shocked or not.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: PHYSIO-CONTROL, INC.
    Inventor: Joseph L. Sullivan
  • Patent number: 10068667
    Abstract: A computing architecture, system and method are disclosed for use in a medical device for providing decision support to a caregiver. The computing architecture includes a memory, a processor in communication with the memory, and an instance of a primary rules-based service configured to provide instruction events, the instance providing a primary processing thread of instruction events for coaching treatment of a patient. A software manager module includes an artificial intelligence architecture. The artificial intelligence architecture is configured to provide an instance of a conditional rules-based service for providing instruction events. The instance provided by the artificial intelligence architecture provides a processing thread of instruction events for coaching treatment of a patient that is independent of the primary processing thread and is configured to trigger an action on the occurrence of a pre-defined set of input conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: PHYSIO-CONTROL, INC.
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Peterson, Dana Lewis, Michell Smith, Cheryl Protas, James Wootten, David B. Stewart, Garrett Kotlarchik, Jeffery Edwards, D Craig Edwards
  • Patent number: 10046170
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for determining a defibrillation treatment protocol in an external defibrillator whereby a user may override a CPR-first default protocol. The method includes following steps configured in a defibrillator controller of issuing an inquiry; waiting for a response to the inquiry for a set time; ordering a CPR treatment protocol if no response is received within the set time; analyzing a response; ordering a CPR treatment protocol upon receiving a non-affirmative response to the inquiry; and ordering a shock treatment protocol upon receiving an affirmative response to the inquiry. Upon selecting a shock treatment protocol, the defibrillator performs a shock analysis under the shock treatment protocol, and either orders a CPR treatment protocol if shock treatment is not indicated by the shock analysis or provides a defibrillation shock if shock treatment is indicated by the shock analysis. Queries may be presented to a user in visual, audible, or both visual and audible format.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: PHYSIO-CONTROL, INC.
    Inventors: Isabelle Banville, David R. Hampton, Gregory T. Kavounas, Richard C. Nova
  • Patent number: 10039497
    Abstract: In embodiments, an external medical device is intended to care for a patient. If it receives an input that signifies that ventilation artifact is present in a signal of the patient, it transmits a corrective signal responsive to the received input. In further embodiments, a patient signal is received, which is generated from a patient while the patient is or was receiving chest compressions at a frequency Fc, and also receiving ventilations at frequency Fv. At least one filter mechanism may be applied to the patient signal to substantially remove artifacts at a) frequency Fc, b) a higher harmonic of frequency Fc, and c) a third frequency substantially equaling frequency Fc plus or minus frequency Fv, while substantially passing other frequencies between them. As a result, the patient signal can be cleaner, for diagnosing the patient's state more accurately.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: Physio-Control, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph L. Sullivan, Robert G. Walker
  • Patent number: 10004662
    Abstract: Techniques and devices for extending a piston, for example connected to a medical device such as a mechanical CPR device, to accommodate different sized patients, are described herein. In some cases, a piston of a mechanical CPR device may include an inner piston at least partially slidable into an external piston sleeve. In one aspect, an external piston spacer may be attached to an outward surface of the inner piston to extend the length of the piston. In another aspect an internal bayonet sleeve may contact one or more locking rods at various positions, enabling adjustment of the length of the inner piston. In yet another aspect, a piston adapter may be removably attached to the end of the piston. In all aspects, the change in length of the piston may be detected and used to modify movement of the piston, for example to more safely perform mechanical CPR.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: PHYSIO-CONTROL, INC.
    Inventors: Anders Jeppsson, Marcus Ehrstedt
  • Patent number: 9994315
    Abstract: Systems and methods for the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in medical emergencies are disclosed herein. The systems and methods include receiving at a first UAV an indication of a medical emergency and coordinating with a second UAV based on the second UAV's capabilities. The first UAV determines if the capabilities of the second UAV complement the capabilities of the first UAV based on the indicated medical emergency. The disclosed systems and methods deploy both the first and second UAVs to the medical emergency if the capabilities of the second UAV complement those of the first UAV.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Physio-Control, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert G. Walker, Mitchell Smith, Kristina Furlan, John Daynes, Michael Arbuck, Alex Esibov, Melissa Pochop-Miller, Dennis Skelton
  • Patent number: 9987498
    Abstract: Medical devices and methods in which a user can treat a patient or monitor a parameter of the patient or both may include a housing, a patient module located within the housing that is used for treating the patient, monitoring the patient or both, and a control panel. The control panel is attached to the housing and has a first surface and a second surface and is positionable between a first position and a second position with respect to the housing. The first position exposes a user to a first surface of the control panel and the second position exposes the user to a second surface of the control panel. A first set of user controls are located on one or the other of the first surface and the second surface and are structured to allow the user to interact with the patient module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: PHYSIO-CONTROL, INC.
    Inventor: John C. Daynes
  • Patent number: 9981140
    Abstract: An external defibrillator can have a synchronous shock operating mode and an asynchronous shock operating mode and include a controller to set the defibrillator in the synchronous shock operating mode or the asynchronous shock operating mode. The defibrillator can also include a shock module to cause the defibrillator to deliver shock therapy to the patient according to the operating mode of the defibrillator, and a prompt module to transmit a prompt, after delivery of the shock therapy, that includes the operating mode of the defibrillator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Physio-Control, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert G. Walker, Fred W. Chapman, Isabelle Banville