Abstract: In one aspect, a medical system includes a medical device having a housing, and a cable connectable to the housing; and a cable retainer associated with the medical device. The cable retainer has a constantly exposed opening maintained at a size sufficient to receive the cable in a bundled state.

Abstract: A cable configured for use between a medical device and a subject, includes a first end configured to connect to the medical device, a second end configured to connect to the subject, and a single elongated body between the first and second ends. The body contains a first set of conductors configured to perform a therapeutic function, and a second set of conductors configured to perform a first monitoring function.

Abstract: A combination of a defibrillator and an electrode package, the combination comprising a defibrillator comprising electrical output wires for delivering a defibrillation pulse to defibrillation electrodes, processing circuitry and associated software for controlling the delivery of the defibrillation pulse, an electrical energy storage element for storing the energy delivered in the defibrillation pulse, a user interface element or elements connected to the processing circuitry for accepting one or more inputs from the user and communicating one or more pieces of information to the user, a housing containing the storage element, processing circuitry, and user interface, and a first mechanical element or elements on the exterior of the housing and configured so that an electrode package can be mechanically attached to the exterior of the housing substantially in full view on the exterior, and an electrode package containing the defibrillation electrodes, the package comprising an outer shell, a portion of the o

Abstract: An electrode package for use with a defibrillator, the electrode package comprising an outer shell providing a vapor barrier between an interior space inside the outer shell and an exterior environment, a breakaway connection element positioned at the perimeter of the outer shell, one or more defibrillation electrodes positioned in the interior space inside the outer shell, a further electrical element positioned in the interior space inside the outer shell, electrical paths extending from the further electrical element through the breakaway element to the exterior environment, wherein the breakaway element and electrical paths are configured so that, when the outer shell is opened and the defibrillation electrodes are removed, the electrical paths are disconnected within the breakaway element.

Abstract: An electrode package for use with a defibrillator, the electrode package comprising an outer shell providing a vapor barrier between an interior space inside the outer shell and an exterior environment, one or more defibrillation electrodes positioned in the interior space inside the outer shell, each of the defibrillation electrodes including a metallic layer in electrical contact with a conductive liquid-containing layer through which electrical current is delivered to a patient when the defibrillation electrodes have been applied to the patient, the conductive a liquid-containing layer being subject to drying out as liquid from the water-containing layer vaporizes and travels from the interior space to the external environment, and one or more electrical conductors extending from inside of the outer shell to a package electrical connector outside of the shell, the package electrical connector being configured to be connected to a mating defibrillator electrical connector connected to the defibrillator, and

Abstract: A package in which a medical device is stored, the package comprising an outer shell providing a vapor barrier between an interior space inside the outer shell and an exterior environment, a medical device positioned in the interior space inside the outer shell, the medical device including a liquid-containing element that is subject to drying out as liquid from the liquid-containing element vaporizes and travels from the interior space to the external environment, a condition sensor comprising two metallic elements, each of the two metallic elements being composed of different metals, with each of the different metals selected so that the two metallic elements form an anode and a cathode of an electrochemical cell, each of the two metallic elements being in electrical contact with a conductive water-containing element, so that the water-containing element forms the electrolyte of the electrochemical cell, and an electrically conductive path extending from each of the metallic elements to a location wherein t

Abstract: A defibrillation electrode for application to the front of the chest of a patient, the electrode comprising a metallic layer, a conductive liquid-containing layer in contact with the metallic layer and configured to contact the skin of the patient, an adhesive layer surrounding the conductive liquid-containing layer and having a layer of adhesive configured to adhere the electrode to the patient, a release layer configured to be removed from the electrode prior to application to the patient, the release layer being in contact with the adhesive and the conductive liquid-containing layer prior to removal, wherein the electrode has a lateral perimeter at or laterally outside of the adhesive layer, and wherein the lateral perimeter is generally triangular.

Abstract: A cable configured for use between a medical device and a subject, includes a first end configured to connect to the medical device, a second end configured to connect to the subject, and a single elongated body between the first and second ends. The body contains a first set of conductors configured to perform a therapeutic function, and a second set of conductors configured to perform a first monitoring function.

Abstract: In one aspect, a medical system includes a medical device having a housing, and a cable connectable to the housing; and a cable retainer associated with the medical device. The cable retainer has a constantly exposed opening maintained at a size sufficient to receive the cable in a bundled state.

Abstract: Electrodes and circuitry for monitoring and stimulating the exterior of the human body, comprising delivering stimulation pulses to stimulation electrodes applied to the exterior of the body, detecting an electrical potential at monitoring electrodes applied to the exterior of the body, positioning at least a first and second monitoring electrode at locations at which an electrical artifact caused by the electrical stimulation pulses is substantially cancelled in a signal formed from the electrical potentials detected at the first and second monitoring electrodes.

Abstract: A medical device such as a defibrillator that incorporates corrective voice prompts that navigate users around operator errors. The voice prompts may, for example, address errors of readiness (e.g., failing to connect the defibrillator to an AC power source, failing to pre-connect electrodes, etc.), errors of omission (i.e., forgetting to do something, such as attempting to deliver a shock before the defibrillator is charged), and errors of commission (i.e., doing the wrong thing, such as attempting to shock VF when in the synchronization mode). The voice prompts may address errors in the delivery of therapy (e.g., attempting to shock VF when in the synchronization mode) or they may address errors other than in the delivery of therapy (e.g., failing to connect to an AC power source).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for gait measurement in which a walking aid such as a walker, cane, or crutch is instrumented with load sensors to measure the loads in the aid as it is being used. The measured loads are used to analyze the user's gait to insure proper selection and sizing of a walking aid, stability of the user, and proper limb loading. In a preferred embodiment, strain gauges are mounted on the legs of a walker and connected through a signal processing interface to a computer for data analysis and display. The gauges are mounted, calibrated, and connected to the signal processing interface so as to permit measurement of the axial, bending, and torsional forces in each leg of the walker as it is being used. This data is then used for qualitative and quantitative assessment of the user's gait.