Abstract: A method and article for storing an automatic external defibrillator for use without a prescription are described. The hermetically sealed electrode pads of the OTC AED are electrically coupled to the OTC AED base unit where they are constantly accessible to self-test circuitry inside the base unit for periodic, automatic self-test. In one embodiment the self-test is designed to determine whether the conductive gel of the electrode pads has dried out. In another embodiment self-test circuitry also tests the battery while the OTC AED is being stored prior to use.

Abstract: Handling or removal of a pair of pre-connected defibrillator electrode pads from their package, or a compartment in the defibrillator, is detected in order to effectively time the issuance of prompts to guide the user. Detection occurs when an impedance level between the electrode pads varies sufficiently over time to indicate occurrence of the handling or removal event. The pads are preferably configured to leverage variability in the impedance that results from bending of pads during handling or removal.

Abstract: A method and article for packaging an automatic external defibrillator for use without a prescription are described. The OTC AED is encased in a rigid polymeric disclosure which is a distinctive color or set of colors to enable the OTC AED to be readily distinguished in the home environment. The defibrillator is packaged in a box with multicolored depictions of the defibrillator on multiple sides of the box, which enable the distinctive coloring of the defibrillator to be readily identified by the exterior of the packaging. The packaging may also include indication of use for the OTC AED and considerations useful to a layperson purchaser when deciding whether to acquire an OTC AED.

Abstract: A method and article for packaging an automatic external defibrillator for use without a prescription are described. The OTC AED is encased in a rigid polymeric disclosure which is a distinctive color or set of colors to enable the OTC AED to be readily distinguished in the home environment. The defibrillator is packaged in a box with multicolored depictions of the defibrillator on multiple sides of the box, which enable the distinctive coloring of the defibrillator to be readily identified by the exterior of the packaging.

Abstract: Frangible projectiles for firearms and processes for making such projectiles are disclosed. The projectiles include a sintered, compacted iron-based mixture of particles. The disclosed projectiles produce a similar feel and mimic the ballistic properties of lead projectiles of similar size and caliber, yet readily break-up upon impact with a hard surface in order to minimize ricochet or splatter. The disclosed projectiles and processes for making the projectiles meet the need for inexpensive, lead-free frangible projectiles.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for documenting for tax purposes a contribution of a remotely accessed computing resource (such as a CPU resource) on a donor system that is allocated by an owner of the resource to one or more recipient organizations. A central management organization (CMO) receives a selection by the owner of the resource of one or more recipient organizations to which to allocate the computing resource, and transmits to the donor system work of the recipient organizations to be performed on the donor system using the allocated computing resource. The CMO receives the results of the work from the donor system and forwards them to the recipient organizations. The CMO records usage of the allocated computing resource on the donor system by each of the recipient organizations and generates a tax receipt documenting the recorded usage of the allocated computing resource on the donor system.

Abstract: An automated or semi-automated defibrillator (AED) system includes an AED and a cartridge attachable to the AED. The cartridge includes electrode pads and a power source such as a battery or fuel cell, which may recharge a defibrillator battery, power defibrillator circuitry, or both. Because the cartridge includes both a power source and electrode pads, one can replace the power source and the pads at the same time by replacing a single cartridge. Furthermore, in defibrillator systems where the power source charges the defibrillator battery, the power source can be selected to have the same life as the pads, thus making it practical to replace the power source and pads at the same time. In addition, maintenance for such a charging defibrillator system typically costs less than for a non-charging system because it often costs less to replace the power source than to replace the defibrillator battery.

Abstract: A defibrillator capable of delivering a damped biphasic truncated (DBT) defibrillation pulse is provided. An energy storage circuit is coupled across a high voltage switch such as an H-bridge for delivering a defibrillation pulse to the patient through a pair of electrodes. A controller operates to control the entire defibrillation process and detects shockable rhythms from the patient via an ECG front end. The energy storage circuit consists of an energy storage capacitor, a series inductor, a shunt diode, and optionally a resistor in series with the inductor. The controller measures as the patient dependent parameter the time interval between the initial delivery of the defibrillation pulse and the occurrence of the peak current or voltage to determine the first and second phases of the defibrillation pulse to provide for compensation for patient impedance.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for reviewing incident data on an external defibrillator (10). The method begins by deploying the defibrillator (10) for use in an emergency, wherein the defibrillator (10) is attached to a patient (18). The ECG data from the patient (18) is monitored and then recorded in an image file located in a memory device (22) incorporated in the defibrillator (10).

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, an electrotherapy device (12) includes a controller (44), an energy source (42), at least one electrode (46) for providing electrotherapy to a patient (48), an energy delivery system (49) operable by the controller to deliver an electrical shock from the energy source (42) to the electrode (46), and a removable battery pack (10) that serves as the energy source (42). The removable battery pack (10) includes a housing having a user accessible interior and an exterior configured to be removably insertable into a battery receptacle (20) of the electrotherapy device (12). The battery pack (10) also includes at least one user replaceable, non-rechargable cell (18) located in the interior of the housing. The cell (18) has a positive and negative terminal. A pair of conductive contacts is located in the interior of the housing.

Abstract: An automated system for interfacing a user, such as a project engineer a legal representative of a legal department, and a customer in the generation of legal agreements within a project development process. In some embodiments, the automated system generates reports to assist in the management of legal agreements.

Abstract: A camera support for allowing stationary and stabilized mobile use of a video camera, comprising a base which is capable of free-standing upon a horizontal surface, a camera mount, and a vertical support extending between the base and camera mount. A gimbal bearing assembly is located on the vertical support, having an outer sleeve which is biaxially movable with respect to the vertical support, so that the entire camera support can be supported by the user holding the outer sleeve, allowing the user to move while the vertical support remains stabilized in an upright position. The base has a tripartite construction which is adjustable to balance the camera weight and has retractable legs to which dolly wheels may be removably mounted for an additional mode of mobile operation.

Abstract: A defibrillator system comprising an external defibrillator, a defibrillator communicator and a communication network. In a preferred embodiment, the defibrillator comprises electrodes, an energy source and a controller, with the controller comprising an ECG signal analyzer and means for local actuation of the defibrillator to deliver an electrical pulse from the energy source to the electrodes. The communication network comprises a communication station, preferably a computer with a modem, and signal carriers, such as telephone lines, so that information can be transmitted from the communicator to the communication station. Likewise, the defibrillator communicator comprises means for automatically transmitting information to the communication station in response to deployment of the defibrillator.

Abstract: A defibrillator featuring a treatment mode and a training mode comprises an energy source, an electrode connector, a controller, and training mode circuitry. The controller comprises a feature for connecting the energy source to the electrode connector and a pause actuator for permitting a user to inhibit electrical stimulation when no longer required. The training mode circuitry simulates the operation of the defibrillator in treatment mode.

Abstract: A defibrillator has a treatment mode and a training mode. The defibrillator includes an energy source; an electrode connector; a controller, including a feature for connecting the energy source to the electrode connector; and training mode features for stimulating the operation of the defibrillator in treatment mode. Also included is a method of operating a defibrillator including the steps of providing a defibrillator (with the defibrillator including a defibrillation energy source, a controller and electrode connectors, and with the controller including circuitry for actuating the defibrillator to deliver a defibrillation shock from the defibrillation energy source to the electrode connectors) and operating the defibrillator in a training mode to simulate delivery of a shock from the energy source to the electrode connectors without delivering a defibrillation shock from the energy source to the electrode connectors.

Abstract: A defibrillator system comprising an external defibrillator, a defibrillator communicator and a communication network. In a preferred embodiment, the defibrillator comprises electrodes, an energy source and a controller, with the controller comprising an ECG signal analyzer and local actuator on the defibrillator for delivering an electrical pulse from the energy source to the electrodes. The communication network comprises a communication station, preferably a computer with a modem, and signal carriers, such as telephone lines, so that information can be transmitted from the communicator to the communication station. The defibrillator communicator automatically transmits information to the communication station in response to deployment of the defibrillator. In alternative embodiments, additional information (such as patient ECG data and defibrillator operation data) is sent from the communication station to the communicator. A method of operating such a defibrillator system is included.

Abstract: This invention is a battery monitor and battery capacity indicator that uses a sense cell in addition to the main battery to determine main battery remaining capacity and depletion condition. A parameter of the sense cell is related to the main battery capacity so that the main battery will have a minimum capacity remaining when the sense cell parameter reaches a particular value or crosses a particular threshold. In a preferred embodiment, the sense cell is a battery which is identical and of the same manufacturing lot as the battery cell or cells in the main battery pack. A current is drawn from the sense cell that is larger than the current being drawn from the main battery. When the sense cell is fully depleted, the main battery will have a remaining capacity whose magnitude depends on the relationship between the main battery current and the sense cell current.

Abstract: A locking arrangement for securing roof bow members of a trailer unit wherein several bow members are mounted at one side wall of the trailer for vertical pivoting and are simultaneously latched at an opposing side wall to prevent vertical movement thereof. The latching mechanism consists of a plurality of locking bar levers which are each pivoted on the opposing side wall to have one end overlie a retaining ring on one end of the bow members. A common actuator rests on top of the opposing wall and is pivotally attached to each of the locking bar levers at their non-overlying end. A shaft is connected by a pivot arm to the actuator and extends vertically downward adjacent the floor of the trailer where it is attached to a pivot handle to cause the locking bar levers to be positioned in either an overlying or non-overlying position with respect to their individual retaining rings.