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: An automated external defibrillator automatically determines the type of patient to which it is attached based on patient-specific information entered by the user. The defibrillator includes electrodes that are adapted for placement on a patient, a pulse generator connected to the electrodes, and processing circuitry that controls the defibrillation pulse delivery from the pulse generator. The automated external defibrillator causes a defibrillation pulse to be delivered to the patient in accordance with the determined patient type. A user interface having a user input connected to the processing circuitry enables the user of the defibrillator to enter patient-specific information. The user may enter the patient-specific information by interacting with the user input during a time period in relation to a prompt from the defibrillator. In another aspect, data pertaining to identification of the type of patient connected to the electrodes may be recorded with event data in a memory.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a defibrillator having both a manual and an AED mode with corresponding user commands for both modes. The defibrillator includes a door which conceals manual mode commands, such that opening of the door puts the defibrillator in the manual mode and simultaneously reveals the manual mode command buttons. In one actual embodiment, the door includes apertures which allow access to the AED command buttons. When the door is in the open position, a keypad is revealed having manual commands which preferably take the form of buttons. In another actual embodiment, the door includes a switch which senses when the door is opened and sends the defibrillator into manual mode. The door includes a front side having AED command buttons, and a back side having manual mode command buttons. The door conceals a keypad having further manual mode command buttons.

Abstract: In general, the invention is directed to a user interface for patient pain assessment. The user interface allows an operator to input and store a patient's pain assessment based on a given pain assessment scale. The invention may tranmit the pain assessment data along with patient physiological condition data to a remotely located hospital database. As part of the patient's medical record, pain assessment measurements can provide trending information similar to most physiological condition data, which may be useful for future treatment. The invention may prompt the operator with suggestions for treatment based on the pain assessment and physiological data collected. In some embodiments, the user interface may be applied to a defibrillator or a patient monitor.

Abstract: A defibrillator can be programmed with multiple energy protocols to be followed when the defibrillator administers therapy to a patient. Each energy protocol defines a sequence of energy dosages or levels to be applied during consecutive shocks. When the defibrillator is activated, the first energy dosage in the sequence is administered to the patient. If the first dosage is ineffective, the defibrillator administers subsequent dosages to the patient. Programming multiple energy protocols into the defibrillator allows the defibrillator to be adapted for use on a variety of patients with diverse needs, such as children and large adults, thereby improving the versatility of the defibrillator. Furthermore, because the expert responder can select the energy protocol most appropriate for the needs of the particular patient, therapy may be more effective.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a defibrillator having both a manual and an AED mode with corresponding user commands for both modes. The defibrillator includes a door which conceals manual mode commands, such that opening of the door puts the defibrillator in the manual mode and simultaneously reveals the manual mode command buttons. In one actual embodiment, the door includes apertures which allow access to the AED command buttons. When the door is in the open position, a keypad is revealed having manual commands which preferably take the form of buttons. In another actual embodiment, the door includes a switch which senses when the door is opened and sends the defibrillator into manual mode. The door includes a front side having AED command buttons, and a back side having manual mode command buttons. The door conceals a keypad having further manual mode command buttons.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a defibrillator having both a manual and an AED mode with corresponding user commands for both modes. The defibrillator includes a door which conceals manual mode commands, such that opening of the door puts the defibrillator in the manual mode and simultaneously reveals the manual mode command buttons. In one actual embodiment, the door includes apertures which allow access to the AED command buttons. When the door is in the open position, a keypad is revealed having manual commands which preferably take the form of buttons. In another actual embodiment, the door includes a switch which senses when the door is opened and sends the defibrillator into manual mode. The door includes a front side having AED command buttons, and a back side having manual mode command buttons. The door conceals a keypad having further manual mode command buttons.

Abstract: An electrotherapy delivery device includes an upper member having a handle portion and a pediatric electrode mounted to the bottom surface of the upper member. A base member having an adult electrode is selectively attached to the upper member with a coupling mechanism to conceal the pediatric electrode. The upper member attaches to the base member across diametrically opposed corners of the base member to provide the user with a more ergonomic hand position when accessing the paddles from the defibrillator. The device further include a plurality of switches operable to deliver a charge and to select the level of charge to be delivered to the patient. The paddle is provided with a processing circuit that receives an output from separate energy level increase and decrease switches, processes the output from the switches, and outputs a signal to the defibrillator corresponding to the level of energy selected by the switches.

Abstract: An automated external defibrillator automatically determines the type of patient to which it is attached based on patient-specific information entered by the user. The defibrillator includes electrodes that are adapted for placement on a patient, a pulse generator connected to the electrodes, and processing circuitry that controls the defibrillation pulse delivery from the pulse generator. The automated external defibrillator causes a defibrillation pulse to be delivered to the patient in accordance with the determined patient type. A user interface having a user input connected to the processing circuitry enables the user of the defibrillator to enter patient-specific information. The user may enter the patient-specific information by interacting with the user input during a time period in relation to a prompt from the defibrillator. In another aspect, data pertaining to identification of the type of patient connected to the electrodes may be recorded with event data in a memory.

Abstract: A defibrillator can be programmed with multiple energy protocols to be followed when the defibrillator administers therapy to a patient. Each energy protocol defines a sequence of energy dosages or levels to be applied during consecutive shocks. When the defibrillator is activated, the first energy dosage in the sequence is administered to the patient. If the first dosage is ineffective, the defibrillator administers subsequent dosages to the patient. Programming multiple energy protocols into the defibrillator allows the defibrillator to be adapted for use on a variety of patients with diverse needs, such as children and large adults, thereby improving the versatility of the defibrillator. Furthermore, because the expert responder can select the energy protocol most appropriate for the needs of the particular patient, therapy may be more effective.

Abstract: An electrotherapy delivery device includes an upper member having a handle portion and a pediatric electrode mounted to the bottom surface of the upper member. A base member having an adult electrode is selectively attached to the upper member with a coupling mechanism to conceal the pediatric electrode. The upper member attaches to the base member across diametrically opposed corners of the base member to provide the user with a more ergonomic hand position when accessing the paddles from the defibrillator. The device further include a plurality of switches operable to deliver a charge and to select the level of charge to be delivered to the patient. The paddle is provided with a processing circuit that receives an output from separate energy level increase and decrease switches, processes the output from the switches, and outputs a signal to the defibrillator corresponding to the level of energy selected by the switches.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a defibrillator having both a manual and an AED mode with corresponding user commands for both modes. The defibrillator includes a door which conceals manual mode commands, such that opening of the door puts the defibrillator in the manual mode and simultaneously reveals the manual mode command buttons. In one actual embodiment, the door includes apertures which allow access to the AED command buttons. When the door is in the open position, a keypad is revealed having manual commands which preferably take the form of buttons. In another actual embodiment, the door includes a switch which senses when the door is opened and sends the defibrillator into manual mode. The door includes a front side having AED command buttons, and a back side having manual mode command buttons. The door conceals a keypad having further manual mode command buttons.

Abstract: A battery (10) contains a base portion (12) that is shaped generally rectangular parallelpiped. The bottom face (18) of the base portion (12) contains a raised notch portion (22) at the first end (14) of the base portion directly beneath an upper ledge (20) that extends along the perimeter of the first end. The first end (14) contains two keyed recesses (24) that extend from an upper ledge (20) to the notch portion (22) of the bottom face (18). A blade connector (26) is located between the two keyed recesses (24) at the intersection of the notch portion (22) and the first end (14). The bottom face (18) contains two apertures (28) for receiving pin shaped positive and negative cell terminals. The second end (16) contains a resiliently attached latch member (30). A corresponding battery well (40) contains opposite first and second ends (44) and (46), a bottom floor (48), and a rim portion (50) that extends along the first end.

Abstract: A portable defibrillator having a defibrillator circuit, a body for housing a defibrillator circuit, and a hook coupled to the body is disclosed. The hook is positionable in an extended position and a retracted position. When in the extended position, the hook is poised to receive a member of an external structure, such as a gurney or hospital bed, and thereby enables the defibrillator to hang from the external structure. The body of the defibrillator may provide a deflectable member positioned to engage a depression formed in the outer surface of the hook when the hook is in the extended position, thus retaining the hook in the extending position. In a similar fashion, the deflectable member may be used to retain the hook in the retracted position. A user interface panel may be disposed on the front of the body of the defibrillator for providing information to and receiving information from a user of the defibrillator.

Abstract: A battery pack (10) is disclosed for use with a medical instrument (12). The battery pack includes a housing (14), defined by a case (16) and cover(18). The housing includes a storage section (22), for receiving batteries (78 and 80), and a connector section (24) on one side of the storage section for cooperating with a latch assembly (110), ejection spring (142), and electrical connectors (108) provided adjacent a battery tray (98) on the instrument. Specifically, the connector section includes an aligned latch surface (64), ejection surface (62), and electrical connectors (86) that cooperatively engage the latch assembly, ejection spring, and connectors on the instrument. As a result, the battery pack can be quickly, easily, and effectively attached to the instrument, in spite of the side-mounted nature of the connector section.