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 the at least one vital sign from the selected pod to the base, the selection being based on which pod is associated with the base.

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 the at least one vital sign from the selected pod to the base, the selection being based on which pod is associated with the base.

Abstract: Integrated devices for performing external chest compression (ECC) and defibrillation on a person and methods using the devices. Integrated devices can include a backboard, at least one chest compression member operably coupled to the backboard, and a defibrillator module operably coupled to the backboard. The integrated devices can include physiological sensors, electrodes, wheels, controllers, human interface devices, cooling modules, ventilators, cameras, and voice output devices. Methods can include defibrillating, pacing, ventilating, cooling, and performing ECC in an integrated, coordinated, and/or synchronous manner using the full capabilities of the device. Some devices include controllers executing methods for automatically performing the coordinated activities utilizing the device capabilities.

Abstract: In general, the invention is directed to management of status information from a plurality of external medical devices, such as AEDs. A system may include one or more medical devices associated with one or more docking stations. The medical devices and docking stations may communicate with one another and with a remote unit. A medical device or a docking station in the system may acquire status information and may communicate the status information to the remote unit, which may serve as a central point for collecting and aggregating status information pertaining to medical devices and docking stations in the system. The remote unit may present the status information to a person via an input/output device, may maintain a status log for the devices in the system, and may interrogate the devices in the system for status information.

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 the at least one vital sign from the selected pod to the base, the selection being based on which pod is associated with the base.

Abstract: Devices, methods, and software implementing those methods for providing communicating external chest compression (ECC) devices and defibrillation (DF) devices, where the ECC and DF devices can be physically separate from each other. Both ECC and DF devices are able to operate autonomously, yet able to communicate with and cooperate with another device when present. Some ECC and DF devices are adapted to be physically and/or electrically coupled to each other. One ECC device includes a backboard, a chest compression member, a communication module, controller, and at least one sensor, electrode lead or electrode. One DF device includes a defibrillator module, a controller, and a communication module that can communicate with the ECC communication module. The communicating ECC and DF devices may deliver ECC, pacing, defibrillation, ventilation, and cooling therapies, and may deliver instructions to human assistants, in a coordinated and cooperative fashion.

Abstract: A medical device includes an audible medium giving user instructions in a first language and a visual medium giving user instructions in a second language. In an embodiment of the invention, the medical device is an external defibrillator with user instructions in an audible medium in a first language and instructions in a visible medium in the second language. In one embodiment, an external defibrillator includes an audio speaker that delivers instructions to the operator in a first language and a visual medium that presents instructions to the operator in a second language. The visual medium may present text instructions in the second language. It may also present pictorial representations of the text instructions in proximity to the text instructions. Alternatively, the visual medium may be a display screen on the external defibrillator.

Abstract: A system is described that comprises a medical device on which is installed a version of software and a software agent communicatively coupled to the medical device without regard to the version of software installed on the medical device. An example of the medical device includes a defibrillator. The software agent may reside in a personal digital assistant and can be operated to communicate with the defibrillator to access the data stored in the defibrillator irrespective of the version of software of the defibrillator.

Abstract: Devices, methods, and software implementing those methods for providing communicating external chest compression (ECC) devices and defibrillation (DF) devices, where the ECC and DF devices can be physically separate from each other. Both ECC and DF devices are able to operate autonomously, yet able to communicate with and cooperate with another device when present. Some ECC and DF devices are adapted to be physically and/or electrically coupled to each other. One ECC device includes a backboard, a chest compression member, a communication module, controller, and at least one sensor, electrode lead or electrode. One DF device includes a defibrillator module, a controller, and a communication module that can communicate with the ECC communication module. The communicating ECC and DF devices may deliver ECC, pacing, defibrillation, ventilation, and cooling therapies, and may deliver instructions to human assistants, in a coordinated and cooperative fashion.

Abstract: Integrated devices for performing external chest compression (ECC) and defibrillation on a person and methods using the devices. Integrated devices can include a backboard, at least one chest compression member operably coupled to the backboard, and a defibrillator module operably coupled to the backboard. The integrated devices can include physiological sensors, electrodes, wheels, controllers, human interface devices, cooling modules, ventilators, cameras, and voice output devices. Methods can include defibrillating, pacing, ventilating, cooling, and performing ECC in an integrated, coordinated, and/or synchronous manner using the full capabilities of the device. Some devices include controllers executing methods for automatically performing the coordinated activities utilizing the device capabilities.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method is characterized by measuring a patient parameter associated with a human body; in response to the patient parameter, retrieving a maximum expected device parameter; and setting a limit on an energy source such that during defibrillation of the patient a defibrillation parameter associated with the maximum expected device parameter is within a defined tolerance. In another embodiment, a method is characterized by specifying at least one device parameter limit of a defibrillation unit; and in response to the at least one specified device parameter, determining a prediction confidence level at which the device parameter limit is exceeded for one or more values of a patient parameter.

Abstract: In general, the invention is directed to management of status information from a plurality of emergency medical devices, such as AEDs. A system may include one or more medical devices associated with one or more docking stations. The medical devices and docking stations may communicate with one another and with a remote unit. A medical device or a docking station in the system may acquire status information and may communicate the status information to the remote unit, which may serve as a central point for collecting and aggregating status information pertaining to medical devices and docking stations in the system. The remote unit may present the status information to a person via an input/output device, may maintain a status log for the devices in the system, and may interrogate the devices in the system for status information.

Abstract: An external defibrillator having an output circuit that allows a defibrillation pulse to be discharged to a patient is provided. The output circuit, charging circuit, preamplifier circuit, impedance measurement circuit, energy storage device, battery, and measurement and control circuits of the defibrillator are all referenced to a common ground. The use of a common ground is simpler and less expensive than previous designs which utilized isolation stages and circuits for isolating the high and low voltage circuitry. The output circuit is in the form of an H-bridge which contains three SCR legs and one IGBT leg. Each of the legs contains a single semiconductor switch. The IGBT is placed in the northwest leg of the H-bridge. The two lower legs each contain SCRs, one or both of which may be driven by DC gate drive signals.

Abstract: A user interface method and apparatus is described for use with a defibrillator (100) such as an automated external defibrillator (AED). The user interface comprises a plurality of layered user interface components which become available to the operator of the defibrillator (100) as they become necessary or appropriate during the operation of the defibrillator (100) and treatment of the patient. In one embodiment, the layered user interface components comprise an on/off actuator (108), a lid (104), an electrode package (120) containing defibrillation electrodes (142, 144), and a shock key (170), as well as accompanying visual and aural instructions for operating the defibrillator (100) and for treating the patient.

Abstract: A system is described that comprises a medical device on which is installed a version of software and a software agent communicatively coupled to the medical device without regard to the version of software installed on the medical device. An example of the medical device includes a defibrillator. The software agent may reside in a personal digital assistant and can be operated to communicate with the defibrillator to access the data stored in the defibrillator irrespective of the version of software of the defibrillator.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method is characterized by measuring a patient parameter associated with a human body; in response to the patient parameter, retrieving a maximum expected device parameter; and setting a limit on an energy source such that during defibrillation of the patient a defibrillation parameter associated with the maximum expected device parameter is within a defined tolerance. In another embodiment, a method is characterized by specifying at least one device parameter limit of a defibrillation unit; and in response to the at least one specified device parameter, determining a prediction confidence level at which the device parameter limit is exceeded for one or more values of a patient parameter.

Abstract: A portable electronic unit, such as a defibrillator, includes an autotest system for automatically self-testing various electrical components within the unit during quiescent periods. The autotest system includes an autotest routine that performs an extensive array of rigorous yet time-consuming tests that are impractical to perform during normal modes of operation of the unit. A real-time clock can be set to initiate the autotest routine at a time when the unit is unlikely to be used for its normal mode of operation. The autotest system provides a strip chart printout of the results of the various self-tests performed on the unit, and provides messages on a visual display of any error conditions. If the autotest system detects a needs service malfunction, the operator must acknowledge the error with an input to the unit before the unit will enter into its normal mode of operation.

Abstract: A medical information system. Data from electrodes are digitized and received by a microprocessor which causes them to be stored in a memory in accordance with a predetermined priority scheme. The data stored in the memory means can be read out to a monitor, a printer, or another computer for further processing.

Abstract: A detector system for sensing the presence, or absence, of electrically-conductive liquid in contact with two probe members. The system includes switchable voltage sources to selectively establish a potential across capacitors connected to the probe members, and detection systems for sensing the magnitudes of charges on the capacitors. The magnitudes of the sampled charge at given intervals is indicative of the presence, or absence, of ionic liquid in contact with the probe members.