Abstract: Patient electrodes, patient monitors, defibrillators, wearable defibrillators, software and methods may warn when an electrode stops being fully attached to the patient's skin. A patient electrode includes a pad for attaching to the skin of a patient, a lead coupled to the pad, and a contact detector that can change state, when the pad does not contact fully the skin of the patient. When the detector changes state, an output device may emit an alert, for notifying a rescuer or even the patient.

Abstract: Time after time studies find that often, even when administered by trained professionals, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) compression rates and depth are inadequate. Too week, shallow or too forceful compressions may contribute to suboptimal patient outcome. Several parameters are crucial for optimal and properly-administered CPR. Crucial parameters include proper hand positioning on the patient's chest, depth of compression of 4-5 cm, and compression rate of 100 compressions per minute. The crucial parameters are often affected by patient parameters, and relative to the patient, rescuer parameters, such as patient thoracic volume; weight; age; gender; and rescuer's, relative to the patient's, parameters, such as weight, height; physical form, etc. Proposed is an automated CPR feedback device with user programmable settings for assisting with real-time feedback and subsequently correcting rescuers patient customized CPR technique.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present concept are directed to medical devices. For example, a medical device including a display for providing feedback to a rescuer who is performing Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) chest compressions to a patient. The display is structured to graphically indicate an instantaneous value of a measured compression depth of the chest of the patient. The display includes an indicator range that corresponds at least in part to a compression depth range of some of the measured compression depths. An indicator is represented as progressing along the indicator range as the depth changes within the compression depth range to represent a value of the measured compression depth in relation to the indicator range. Depending on the measured compression depth, the indicator progresses at a variable rate relative to a difference in the measured compression depth.

Abstract: Techniques for determining whether one or more leads are not adequately connected to a patient, e.g., for ECG monitoring, are described. The techniques involve injection of an integrated signal (which includes a test signal) into one lead, and monitoring the driven lead and the response at the other leads, including the common mode and the difference between the other leads. These “lead-off” detection techniques may be provided by an external defibrillator that provides three-wire ECG monitoring. Techniques for determining a type of a cable coupled to a defibrillator are also described. The cable-type identification may allow a defibrillator to, for example, operate in either a three-wire ECG monitoring mode or a therapy mode, based on whether a three-wire ECG cable or a defibrillation cable is coupled to the defibrillator.

Abstract: A portable medical device having a reliable readiness indicator. Embodiments provide a reliable readiness indicator with an active clasp that holds the garment in place. The clasp is enabled by the defibrillator when it is ready for use. If the clasp is not enabled the garment cannot be worn comfortably, and it becomes apparent to the patient that steps need to be taken to make the device ready for use.

Abstract: A wearable cardiac defibrillator (“WCD”) system may include a support structure that a patient can wear, an energy storage module that can store an electrical charge, and a discharge circuit that can discharge the electrical charge through the patient so as to shock him or her, while the patient is wearing the support structure. Embodiments may actively take into account bystanders, both to protect them from an inadvertent shock, and also to enlist their help. In some embodiments, the WCD system includes a speaker system and a memory. Prompts have been saved in advance in the patient's own voice, and stored in the memory. In case of an emergency, the prompts may be played by the speaker system in the patient's own voice, and heard by a bystander.

Abstract: A transthoracic defibrillator for external defibrillation comprises at least three electrodes configured to be attached to the thorax of a patient to establish at least two electrical paths across the thoracic cavity and through the heart of the patient. In addition, a defibrillator circuit contained in a defibrillator housing has the capability to deliver a different defibrillation waveform across each of the at least two electrical paths.

Abstract: Time after time studies find that often, even when administered by trained professionals, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) compression rates and depth are inadequate. Too week, shallow or too forceful compressions may contribute to suboptimal patient outcome. Several parameters are crucial for optimal and properly-administered CPR. Crucial parameters include proper hand positioning on the patient's chest, depth of compression of 4-5 cm, and compression rate of 100 compressions per minute. The crucial parameters are often affected by patient parameters, and relative to the patient, rescuer parameters, such as patient thoracic volume; weight; age; gender; and rescuer's, relative to the patient's, parameters, such as weight, height; physical form, etc. Proposed is an automated CPR feedback device with user programmable settings for assisting with real-time feedback and subsequently correcting rescuers patient customized CPR technique.

Abstract: A wearable cardiac defibrillator (“WCD”) system may include a support structure that a patient can wear, an energy storage module that can store an electrical charge, and a discharge circuit that can discharge the electrical charge through the patient so as to shock him or her, while the patient is wearing the support structure. Embodiments may actively take into account bystanders, both to protect them from an inadvertent shock, and also to enlist their help. In some embodiments the WCD system includes a speaker system that transmits a sound designed to assist a bystander to perform CPR. Optionally CPR chest compressions received by the patient can be further detected, and feedback can be given. In embodiments, a WCD system may include a user interface that can be controlled to output CPR prompts tailored to a skill level of the bystander.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a medical device, such as a defibrillator, for use with an accessory capable of collecting a parameter of a patient. The medical device is capable of at least performing a basic functionality, an advanced functionality, and of defibrillating the patient. The medical device includes an energy storage module within a housing for storing an electrical charge that is to be delivered to the patient for the defibrillating. The medical device includes a processor structured to determine whether a data set received from the accessory confirms or not a preset authentication criterion about the accessory. Although when the accessory is coupled to the housing the medical device is capable of the defibrillating and the basic functionality, the medical device is capable of the advanced functionality only when the accessory is coupled to the housing and it is determined that the preset authentication criterion is confirmed. Embodiments also include methods of operation and a programmed solution.

Abstract: A transthoracic defibrillator for external defibrillation comprises at least three electrodes configured to be attached to the thorax of a patient to establish at least two electrical paths across the thoracic cavity and through the heart of the patient. In addition, a defibrillator circuit contained in a defibrillator housing has the capability to deliver a different defibrillation waveform across each of the at least two electrical paths.

Abstract: A wearable defibrillation system can establish a local comlink with a mobile communication device, such as a smartphone, tablet-type computer and the like. The mobile communication device can in turn establish a remote comlink with other devices in a network such as the internet. Accordingly, communication tasks relating to the wearable defibrillation system can be performed via the local and the remote comlinks, with or without the participation of the patient, who is wearing the system. The wearer can thus use the familiar interface of a mobile communication device for interacting with his defibrillator system. Moreover, he can do so while keeping on his regular clothes, which could conceal completely the wearable defibrillator system. The patient can thus preserve his dignity and privacy.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present concept are directed to medical devices having features that prevent contaminants from infiltrating the housing of the device while providing a mechanism to provide clear auditory sounds to aid a rescuer in providing care to a patient. In one example, a medical device includes a housing having a transmission area associated with an enclosed voice coil. An exterior diaphragm formed integrally with the housing surrounds the transmission area and provides a watertight seal of the transmission area. In addition, the diaphragm is structured to generate a sound that can be heard by the rescuer from the voice coil.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a medical device, such as a defibrillator, for use with an accessory capable of collecting a parameter of a patient. The medical device is capable of at least performing a basic functionality, an advanced functionality, and of defibrillating the patient. The medical device includes an energy storage module within a housing for storing an electrical charge that is to be delivered to the patient for the defibrillating. The medical device includes a processor structured to determine whether a data set received from the accessory confirms or not a preset authentication criterion about the accessory. Although when the accessory is coupled to the housing the medical device is capable of the defibrillating and the basic functionality, the medical device is capable of the advanced functionality only when the accessory is coupled to the housing and it is determined that the preset authentication criterion is confirmed. Embodiments also include methods of operation and a programmed solution.

Abstract: A wearable defibrillation system can establish a local comlink with a mobile communication device, such as a smartphone, tablet-type computer and the like. The mobile communication device can in turn establish a remote comlink with other devices in a network such as the internet. Accordingly, communication tasks relating to the wearable defibrillation system can be performed via the local and the remote comlinks, with or without the participation of the patient, who is wearing the system. The wearer can thus use the familiar interface of a mobile communication device for interacting with his defibrillator system. Moreover, he can do so while keeping on his regular clothes, which could conceal completely the wearable defibrillator system. The patient can thus preserve his dignity and privacy.

Abstract: Defibrillators, software and methods are provided, for transmitting inaudible audio information to one or more external personal sound devices. The audio information may encode an audible indication, which can thus be played by an external personal sound device to a user such as a rescuer.

Abstract: A wearable defibrillation system can establish a local comlink with a mobile communication device, such as a smartphone, tablet-type computer and the like. The mobile communication device can in turn establish a remote comlink with other devices in a network such as the internet. Accordingly, communication tasks relating to the wearable defibrillation system can be performed via the local and the remote comlinks, with or without the participation of the patient, who is wearing the system. The wearer can thus use the familiar interface of a mobile communication device for interacting with his defibrillator system. Moreover, he can do so while keeping on his regular clothes, which could conceal completely the wearable defibrillator system. The patient can thus preserve his dignity and privacy.

Abstract: An external defibrillator includes a therapy delivery circuit, a sensor, and a processor. The therapy delivery circuit is configured to be electrically charged and to deliver electrical therapy to a patient. The sensor is configured to sense a physiological condition of the patient and generate data indicative of a probability that therapy will be delivered to the patient. The processor is configured to analyze data generated by the sensor to determine whether there is a threshold level of the probability that the therapy delivery will be delivered to the patient, if the probability is at least at the threshold level, charge the therapy delivery circuit, and determine whether therapy delivery is advisable based on the physiological condition of the patient after determining whether the probability is at least at the threshold level.

Abstract: A transthoracic defibrillator for external defibrillation comprises at least three electrodes configured to be attached to the thorax of a patient to establish at least two electrical paths across the thoracic cavity and through the heart of the patient. In addition, a defibrillator circuit contained in a defibrillator housing has the capability to deliver a different defibrillation waveform across each of the at least two electrical paths.

Abstract: In embodiments, a wearable cardiac defibrillator system includes an energy storage module configured to store a charge. Two electrodes can be configured to be applied to respective locations of a patient. One or more reservoirs can store one or more conductive fluids. Respective fluid deploying mechanisms can be configured to cause the fluids to be released from one or more of the reservoirs, which decreases the impedance at the patient location, and decreases discomfort for the patient. In some embodiments an impedance is sensed between the two electrodes, and the stored charge is delivered when the sensed impedance meets a discharge condition. In some embodiments, different fluids are released for different patient treatments. In some embodiments, fluid release is controlled to be in at least two doses, with an intervening pause.