Abstract: An improved emergency response system includes a set of databases which relates to volunteer responders and patients, which is controlled by a central system computer. The system interacts with patients and volunteer responders through a wireless network to patient and volunteer communicator devices. The emergency response system calculates and provides a compensation to the volunteer responders based upon their on-duty time, proximity to enrolled patients, and optionally based upon their performance during training and cardiac rescue events.

Abstract: An improved emergency response system includes a set of databases which relates to volunteer responders and patients, which is controlled by a central system computer. The system interacts with patients and volunteer responders through a wireless network to patient and volunteer communicator devices. The emergency response system calculates and provides a compensation to the volunteer responders based upon their on-duty time, proximity to enrolled patients, and optionally based upon their performance during training and cardiac rescue events.

Abstract: Systems and methods of limiting activation of a single use automated external defibrillator (AED). The method comprises using an event monitoring module to sense an activation of the AED, monitor the AED's use state, generate a notification and request a deactivation command if the AED's use state satisfies at least one deactivation criterion, and deactivating the AED when a deactivation command is received. The AED device comprises an energy source, a pair of electrodes, an alert module, a wireless communication module, and an event monitoring module.

Abstract: A defibrillator such as an automated external defibrillator (AED) includes a manual override feature which enables the AED to reduce the power consumption and owner annoyance after a self-testing fault. The AED, upon sensing a press of a manual override button or a receipt of an acknowledgement signal from a remote service provider, defers one or both of an alarm output and a subsequent self-test for a predetermined correction period. The deferral allows the user to correct the self-test fault during the correction period without further annoyance.

Abstract: An improved emergency response system includes a set of databases which relates to volunteer responders and patients, which is controlled by a central system computer. The system interacts with patients and volunteer responders through a wireless network to patient and volunteer communicator devices. The emergency response system calculates and provides a compensation to the volunteer responders based upon their on-duty time, proximity to enrolled patients, and optionally based upon their performance during training and cardiac rescue events.

Abstract: Systems and methods of limiting activation of a single use automated external defibrillator (AED). The method comprises using an event monitoring module to sense an activation of the AED, monitor the AED's use state, generate a notification and request a deactivation command if the AED's use state satisfies at least one deactivation criterion, and deactivating the AED when a deactivation command is received. The AED device comprises an energy source, a pair of electrodes, an alert module, a wireless communication module, and an event monitoring module.

Abstract: A defibrillator such as an automated external defibrillator (AED) includes a manual override feature which enables the AED to reduce the power consumption and owner annoyance after a self-testing fault. The AED, upon sensing a press of a manual override button or a receipt of an acknowledgement signal from a remote service provider, defers one or both of an alarm output and a subsequent self-test for a predetermined correction period. The deferral allows the user to correct the self-test fault during the correction period without further annoyance.

Abstract: A training adapter (28) for an automated external defibrillator (AED) (10) which provides for safe training use of any AED. The training adapter includes a circuit which ensures that any defibrillation voltage/current is shunted away from the trainee, training electrodes (26), and patient simulation equipment. The training adapter simultaneously provides to the AED a simulated patient ECG signal which causes the AED to operate as if an actual cardiac rescue were occurring, thus heightening the realism of the training experience.

Abstract: A substantially rigid defibrillator carrying case having a hinged side, a latch disposed on a latch side opposite the hinged side, and a handle disposed on a handle side disposed between the hinged side and the latch side. The carrying case is constructed without protrusions and with a rigid handle, which combine to allow easy removal and deployment of the contents from a vehicle storage location to a cardiac arrest patient. The carrying case integrates a actuator to periodically test the operation of the defibrillator push buttons.

Abstract: A training adapter (28) for an automated external defibrillator (AED) (10) which provides for safe training use of any AED. The training adapter includes a circuit which ensures that any defibrillation voltage/current is shunted away from the trainee, training electrodes(26), and patient simulation equipment. The training adapter simultaneously provides to the AED a simulated patient ECG signal which causes the AED to operate as if an actual cardiac rescue were occurring, thus heightening the realism of the training experience.

Abstract: A substantially rigid defibrillator carrying case having a hinged side, a latch disposed on a latch side opposite the hinged side, and a handle disposed on a handle side disposed between the hinged side and the latch side. The carrying case is constructed without protrusions and with a rigid handle, which combine to allow easy removal and deployment of the contents from a vehicle storage location to a cardiac arrest patient. The carrying case integrates a actuator to periodically test the operation of the defibrillator push buttons.

Abstract: A modular automated external defibrillator (AED) system includes a base unit and at least one interconnected module. The base unit typically includes a functional circuit and includes an interface that couples the functional circuit to the module. Likewise, the module includes an interface that couples the module to the base unit By manufacturing such modular AED models instead of one-piece, i.e., integrated, AED models, a manufacturer can reduce the cost and complexity of its manufacturing process. Furthermore, the manufacturer may be able to bring such a modular AED to market more quickly than it could bring an integrated model of the AED to market. Moreover, a modular AED allows the manufacturer and customer flexibility in respectively providing and selecting feature sets. In addition, a customer can obtain replacements for broken modules, and the manufacturer can provide cheaper upgrades by upgrading a module or base unit instead of upgrading the entire AED.

Abstract: A modular automated external defibrillator (AED) system includes a base unit and at least one interconnected module. The base unit typically includes a functional circuit and includes an interface that couples the functional circuit to the module. Likewise, the module includes an interface that couples the module to the base unit By manufacturing such modular AED models instead of one-piece, i.e., integrated, AED models, a manufacturer can reduce the cost and complexity of its manufacturing process. Furthermore, the manufacturer may be able to bring such a modular AED to market more quickly than it could bring an integrated model of the AED to market. Moreover, a modular AED allows the manufacturer and customer flexibility in respectively providing and selecting feature sets. In addition, a customer can obtain replacements for broken modules, and the manufacturer can provide cheaper upgrades by upgrading a module or base unit instead of upgrading the entire AED.

Abstract: An electrotherapy apparatus includes a connecting mechanism coupled between an energy source and a pair of electrodes for contacting a patient. A controller coupled to the energy source configures the energy source to provide a selected one of a plurality of energy levels. The controller actuates the connecting mechanism to couple the energy source to the electrodes. A sensor coupled to the controller measures a parameter or parameters related to the energy delivered to the patient through the electrodes. The controller performs an operation using the output received from the sensor. Based upon the operation, the controller actuates the connecting mechanism to decouple the energy source from the electrodes. In an embodiment of the electrotherapy apparatus, the energy source includes a high voltage power supply for charging a capacitor to a selected one of a plurality of initial voltages.

Abstract: An electrotherapy method; and an apparatus for delivering electrotherapy to a patient. In particular, a method and apparatus for delivering a lower energy, therapeutically effective electrical waveform to a patient through a defibrillator. The method employed to lower the energy of the waveform can be applied to both internal defibrillators and external defibrillators. Further the method can be applied to any waveform, including monophasic, biphasic or multiphasic. Various custom shapes for a defibrillation waveform can be achieved by adjusting the rate at which the energy is duty cycled throughout any or all phases of the waveform.

Abstract: An electrotherapy apparatus includes a connecting mechanism coupled between an energy source and a pair of electrodes for contacting a patient. A controller coupled to the energy source configures the energy source to provide a selected one of a plurality of energy levels. The controller actuates the connecting mechanism to couple the energy source to the electrodes. A sensor coupled to the controller measures a parameter or parameters related to the energy delivered to the patient through the electrodes. The controller performs an operation using the output received from the sensor. Based upon the operation, the controller actuates the connecting mechanism to decouple the energy source from the electrodes. In an embodiment of the electrotherapy apparatus, the energy source includes a high voltage power supply for charging a capacitor to a selected one of a plurality of initial voltages.

Abstract: An electrotherapy apparatus includes a connecting mechanism coupled between an energy source and a pair of electrodes for contacting a patient. A controller coupled to the energy source configures the energy source to provide a selected one of a plurality of energy levels. The controller actuates the connecting mechanism to couple the energy source to the electrodes. A sensor coupled to the controller measures a parameter or parameters related to the energy delivered to the patient through the electrodes. The controller performs an operation using the output received from the sensor. Based upon the operation, the controller actuates the connecting mechanism to decouple the energy source from the electrodes. In an embodiment of the electrotherapy apparatus, the energy source includes a high voltage power supply for charging a capacitor to a selected one of a plurality of initial voltages.

Abstract: A defibrillator having a self test operation requiring reduced energy is provided. During a self test operation of the defibrillator, it is necessary to deliver a test pulse to a test load under appropriate levels of voltage and current stress to the HV circuits. In verifying the functionality of an HV switch under self test, several critical parameters must be evaluated. First, the voltage stress test is conducted at the maximum voltage level to ensure that the dielectric withstand voltage of the various components of the HV circuit are adequate under maximum voltage conditions. Second, the current stress test is conducted at the maximum current level but at a partial voltage which consumes substantially less energy. The maximum voltage and maximum current levels may be chosen to exceed the operating voltage and current levels encountered during normal operation of the defibrillator to more fully test the HV switch.

Abstract: A battery, usable with one or more battery support units and/or electronic devices, contains a memory which contains a mailbox. The battery receives a request from a battery support unit or an electronic device to write error data in the mailbox. In response to this request, the battery stores the error data in the mailbox. The battery then receives a request from a battery support unit or electronic device to read the error data from the mailbox. In response to this request, the battery transmits the error data to the battery support unit or electronic device that requested it.

Abstract: A battery support unit, such as a defibrillator battery charger, tests a battery having a memory for an error condition. If the battery support unit finds an error condition with the battery, it transmits error data to a mailbox located in the battery's memory. Other battery support units or electronic devices, or even this battery support unit at a later date, can read the error data in the mailbox and take an appropriate action. For example, the battery support unit can read the mailbox and, if it finds error data placed there by itself, another battery support unit, or an electronic device, enable an indicator, such as an indicator that informs a user that maintenance needs to be performed on the battery. When battery maintenance has been selected, the battery support unit reconditions the battery by charging and discharging the battery a predetermined number of times, and also performs additional testing on the battery.