Abstract: A defibrillator/monitor (10) employing a message processing routine (60) that controls the way in which information from a plurality of sensing circuits (28) is communicated to an attending physician by output devices (30). In that regard, each of the various conditions monitored by the sensing circuits has a priority associated therewith. Each condition may be associated with one or more of five different types of messages: an initial display message, steady state display message, initial sound message, steady state sound message, and display icon message. The different messages, like the different conditions, may also be prioritized. The particular message or messages produced by the output devices in response to a particular set of conditions is then dependent upon the relative prioritization of the conditions and messages as evaluated by a microcomputer (18) in accordance with the routine.

Abstract: Disclosed is an adaptor (28, 90) for use with a paddle electrode equipped defibrillator (10) that allows alternative use of disposable defibrillation electrodes. In some applications, the adaptor (28, 90) is positioned and retained in the paddle electrode stowage region (18) of the defibrillator (10) with the paddle electrodes (14, 16) being retained in an accessible position by the adaptor. Electrical contacts (75) and a cable (34) that are included in the adaptor electrically connect the paddle electrodes (14, 16) with connectors for disposable defibrillation electrodes, which are mounted at the distal end of the adaptor cable (34). When disposable defibrillation electrodes (36, 38) are placed in the adaptor cable connectors and positioned on the body of a patient, a defibrillation sequence is carried out utilizing the same controls and sequence that are used to defibrillate with the paddle electrodes.