Abstract: The connector between the patient electrode pads and the base unit of an automatic external defibrillator (AED) system can be formed by capturing a printed circuit board (PCB) within a connector housing. The PCB can have conductive metal traces that serve as the contact points between the wires from the patient electrodes and the electronics within the AED base unit. The PCB in combination with the conductive metal traces can be shaped similar to a conventional two-prong or two-blade connector. Employing such a PCB-based connector may result in AED pads which are less complex and less costly to manufacture. The PCB can also support a configuration circuit that is positioned between the conductive metal traces and that allows the AED to read and store information about the attached pads. For example, the AED can use this data storage feature to check the expiration date of the pads.

Abstract: A medical device having a unit in communication with ancillary components wherein the unit and the ancillary components each have a sensory output through which communication with a user of the medical device may be accomplished and the user's attention directed. In one aspect, the medical device is an AED unit with associated pads, which are an ancillary component electrically connected to the AED unit. In this illustrative example, the unit has a unit sensory output (e.g., a speaker or a display), and the pads, and/or their associated packaging, have an ancillary sensory output (e.g. a speaker or display). Programming in the AED unit controls output to the sensory outputs such that the user's attention is directed between the unit and the ancillary components.

Abstract: An AED includes defibrillation circuitry housed within an enclosure, a first processor programmed to periodically test the operability of the defibrillation circuitry and a second processor in communication with the first processor. The AED further includes a visual indicator, such as a red/green LED, positioned at the exterior of the enclosure that is operatively connected to the second processor. The second processor is programmed to control the visual indicator in response to the periodic test results provided to it by the first processor.

Abstract: An AED includes defibrillation circuitry housed within an enclosure, a first processor programmed to periodically test the operability of the defibrillation circuitry and a second processor in communication with the first processor. The AED further includes a visual indicator, such as a red/green LED, positioned at the exterior of the enclosure that is operatively connected to the second processor. The second processor is programmed to control the visual indicator in response to the periodic test results provided to it by the first processor.

Abstract: A medical device having a unit in communication with ancillary components wherein the unit and the ancillary components each have a sensory output through which communication with a user of the medical device may be accomplished and to which the user's attention directed. In one aspect, the medical device is an AED unit with associated pads, which are an ancillary component electrically connected to the AED unit. In this illustrative example, the unit has a unit sensory output (e.g., a speaker or a display), and the pads, and/or their associated packaging, have an ancillary sensory output (e.g. a speaker or display). Programming in the AED unit controls output to the sensory outputs such that the user's attention is directed between the unit and the ancillary components.

Abstract: A system and method provides a status indicator to a battery pack of a medical device. The battery pack includes a power supply capable of being connected to the medical device. The battery pack also includes an indicator to indicate a status of at least a portion of at least one of the battery pack and the medical device. For example, the indicator can indicate a status of the power supply.

Abstract: The connector between the patient electrode pads and the base unit of an automatic external defibrillator (AED) system can be formed by capturing a printed circuit board (PCB) within a connector housing. The PCB can have conductive metal traces that serve as the contact points between the wires from the patient electrodes and the electronics within the AED base unit. The PCB in combination with the conductive metal traces can be shaped similar to a conventional two-prong or two-blade connector. Employing such a PCB-based connector may result in AED pads which are less complex and less costly to manufacture. The PCB can also support a configuration circuit that is positioned between the conductive metal traces and that allows the AED to read and store information about the attached pads. For example, the AED can use this data storage feature to check the expiration date of the pads.

Abstract: Battery powered systems with long standby times, such as automatic external defibrillators (AEDs), may be required to indicate their operational status to a user by blinking lights or sounding speakers or buzzers. These active status indication activities consume power thereby reducing the battery life of the system. To conserve power and to be more effective in seeking attention from a human operator, the status alerts for the AED produced by an active status indicator (ASI) system can be more meaningful to humans or more unique relative to status alerts provided by conventional devices. Additionally, the ASI system may automatically adjust power consumed by the indicators in response to sensing environmental conditions of the AED.

Abstract: A medical device having a battery pack comprising an indicator, wherein the battery pack indicator indicates the status of the battery pack when the battery pack is disassociated from the medical device and indicates the status of the medical device when associated with the medical device.

Abstract: External portable medical devices, such as portable external defibrillators (PEDs), have long standby times and may be required to indicate their operational status to a user while conserving battery power. Frequently, numerous PEDs are scattered throughout one or more large facility, which may make identifying a PED that is indicating an operational status that requires attention more difficult. To conserve power and provide more effective notice, a PED may use a broadcast transmitter, which minimizes power usage, to communicate the PED's status to a remote monitor that is connected to a relatively unlimited power supply. The remote monitor may then provide a wide variety of sensory alerts to indicate the status of the PED without concern for the power consumption associated with the sensory alert.

Abstract: An inventive system and method de-passivates a direct current (DC) power source of an Automatic External Defibrillator (AED), such as an AED lithium battery. The system includes a main processor and standby processor. The standby processor monitors the age and usage of the battery. Based on the status of the monitored parameters, the system executes a conditioning discharge to remove a layer of salt crystals on the DC power source.

Abstract: The connector between the patient electrode pads and the base unit of an automatic external defibrillator (AED) system can be formed by capturing a printed circuit board (PCB) within a connector housing. The PCB can have conductive metal traces that serve as the contact points between the wires from the patient electrodes and the electronics within the AED base unit. The PCB in combination with the conductive metal traces can be shaped similar to a conventional two-prong or two-blade connector. Employing such a PCB-based connector may result in AED pads which are less complex and less costly to manufacture. The PCB can also support a configuration circuit that is positioned between the conductive metal traces and that allows the AED to read and store information about the attached pads. For example, the AED can use this data storage feature to check the expiration date of the pads.

Abstract: An AED includes defibrillation circuitry housed within an enclosure, a first processor programmed to periodically test the operability of the defibrillation circuitry and a second processor in communication with the first processor. The AED further includes a visual indicator, such as a red/green LED, positioned at the exterior of the enclosure that is operatively connected to the second processor. The second processor is programmed to control the visual indicator in response to the periodic test results provided to it by the first processor.

Abstract: The connector between the patient electrode pads and the base unit of an automatic external defibrillator (AED) system can be formed by capturing a printed circuit board (PCB) within a connector housing. The PCB can have conductive metal traces that serve as the contact points between the wires from the patient electrodes and the electronics within the AED base unit. The PCB in combination with the conductive metal traces can be shaped similar to a conventional two-prong or two-blade connector. Employing such a PCB-based connector may result in AED pads which are less complex and less costly to manufacture. The PCB can also support a configuration circuit that is positioned between the conductive metal traces and that allows the AED to read and store information about the attached pads. For example, the AED can use this data storage feature to check the expiration date of the pads.

Abstract: The connector between the patient electrode pads and the base unit of an automatic external defibrillator (AED) system can be formed by capturing a printed circuit board (PCB) within a connector housing. The PCB can have conductive metal traces that serve as the contact points between the wires from the patient electrodes and the electronics within the AED base unit. The PCB in combination with the conductive metal traces can be shaped similar to a conventional two-prong or two-blade connector. Employing such a PCB-based connector may result in AED pads which are less complex and less costly to manufacture. The PCB can also support a configuration circuit that is positioned between the conductive metal traces and that allows the AED to read and store information about the attached pads. For example, the AED can use this data storage feature to check the expiration date of the pads.

Abstract: Battery powered systems with long standby times, such as automatic external defibrillators (AEDs), may be required to indicate their operational status to a user by blinking lights or sounding speakers or buzzers. These active status indication activities consume power thereby reducing the battery life of the system. To conserve power and to be more effective in seeking attention from a human operator, the status alerts for the AED produced by an active status indicator (ASI) system can be more meaningful to humans or more unique relative to status alerts provided by conventional devices. Additionally, the ASI system may automatically adjust power consumed by the indicators in response to sensing environmental conditions of the AED.

Abstract: External portable medical devices, such as portable external defibrillators (PEDs), have long standby times and may be required to indicate their operational status to a user while conserving battery power. Frequently, numerous PEDs are scattered throughout one or more large facility, which may make identifying a PED that is indicating an operational status that requires attention more difficult. To conserve power and provide more effective notice, a PED may use a broadcast transmitter, which minimizes power usage, to communicate the PED's status to a remote monitor that is connected to a relatively unlimited power supply. The remote monitor may then provide a wide variety of sensory alerts to indicate the status of the PED without concern for the power consumption associated with the sensory alert.

Abstract: An external defibrillator enclosure for use in conjunction with a defibrillator accessory, such as an electrode pad assembly, includes a front panel and a rear panel which are mated together and secured by a coupling means. The enclosure also includes a plate secured by a coupling means to the second panel. The plate and second panel are positioned relative to each other to form a slot that is sized to receive a portion of the electrode assembly. The enclosure also includes a connector port that allows for the electrode pad assembly to be pre-connected to the electronics within the enclosure. The electrode pad assembly includes a cable and a connector at the end of the cable, and the exterior face of enclosure rear panel includes a groove that is sized to receive and retain the cable. The groove holds the cable in place against the surface of the enclosure while the cable is connected to the connector port.

Abstract: Battery powered systems with long standby times, such as automatic external defibrillators (AEDs), may be required to indicate their operational status to a user by blinking lights or sounding speakers or buzzers. These active status indication activities consume power thereby reducing the battery life of the system. To conserve power and to be more effective in seeking attention from a human operator, the status alerts for the AED produced by an active status indicator (ASI) system can be more meaningful to humans or more unique relative to status alerts provided by conventional devices. Additionally, the ASI system may automatically adjust power consumed by the indicators in response to sensing environmental conditions of the AED.