Publication number: 20120022339
Abstract: The presence of a cardiac pulse in a patient is determined by evaluating physiological signals in the patient. In one embodiment, a medical device evaluates two or more different physiological signals, such as phonocardiogram (PCG) signals, electrocardiogram (ECG) signals, patient impedance signals, piezoelectric signals, and accelerometer signals for features indicative of the presence of a cardiac pulse. Using these features, the medical device determines whether a cardiac pulse is present in the patient. The medical device may also be configured to report whether the patient is in a VF, VT, asystole, or PEA condition, in addition to being in a pulseless condition, and prompt different therapies, such as chest compressions, rescue breathing, defibrillation, and PEA-specific electrotherapy, depending on the analysis of the physiological signals. Auto-capture of a cardiac pulse using pacing stimuli is further provided.
Type:
Application
Filed:
September 29, 2011
Publication date:
January 26, 2012
Applicant:
PHYSIO-CONTROL, INC.
Inventors:
Tae H. Joo, Ronald E. Stickney, Cynthia P. Jayne, Paula Lank, Patricia O'Hearn, David R. Hampton, James W. Taylor, William E. Crone, Daniel Yerkovich