Abstract: Signal data obtained from a piezoelectric sensor placed on a patient's body is used to detect the presence of a cardiac pulse. The piezoelectric sensor has a transducing element adapted to sense movement due to a cardiac pulse and produce piezoelectric signal data in response thereto. Processing circuitry analyzes the piezoelectric signal data for a feature indicative of a cardiac pulse and determines whether a cardiac pulse is present in the patient based on the feature. In one aspect, the feature may be a temporal feature such as a relative change in energy. In another aspect, the feature may be a spectral feature such as the energy or frequency of a peak in the energy spectrum of the signal. In yet another aspect, the feature may be obtained by comparing the piezoelectric signal data with a previously-identified pattern known to predict the presence of a cardiac pulse. Multiple features may also be obtained from the piezoelectric signal data and classified to determine the presence of a cardiac pulse.

Abstract: An automated external defibrillator (AED) (10) designed for use by a rescuer with minimal or no training during a medical emergency is provided. The AED implements a user interface program (22) which guides the rescuer through operation of the AED and application of CPR and defibrillation therapy to a patient by displaying a series of visual instructions on a graphic display (14) or other visual output device, and by providing additional aural instructions via a speaker (18) or other aural output device. The rescuer merely needs to press a start button (12) to initiate operation of the AED and begin CPR and defibrillation instruction.

Abstract: Techniques for capturing images of a defibrillation scene may involve obtaining images of a defibrillator scene using a camera coupled, in communication with, or integrated with an external defibrillator, such as an AED. For example, when a person arrives on the scene of a patient suffering sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) with a defibrillator, the person aims the camera at the patient and obtains an image of the patient. The camera may obtain a series of images, such as video imagery, and store the images in a storage medium associated with the camera or the defibrillator. The stored images may serve to document the defibrillation incident for later evaluation. For example, the stored images may provide a video record of actions taken, observed patient responses, and other significant events during the course of the incident. In some instances, the camera or defibrillator may transmit the images to a remote assistance center.

Abstract: A user interface method and apparatus is described for use with a defibrillator (100) such as an automated external defibrillator (AED). The user interface comprises a plurality of layered user interface components which become available to the operator of the defibrillator (100) as they become necessary or appropriate during the operation of the defibrillator (100) and treatment of the patient. In one embodiment, the layered user interface components comprise an on/off actuator (108), a lid (104), an electrode package (120) containing defibrillation electrodes (142, 144), and a shock key (170), as well as accompanying visual and aural instructions for operating the defibrillator (100) and for treating the patient.

Abstract: The present invention provides a therapy-delivering, portable medical device (200) capable of triggering and/or communicating with an alarm system (100), as well as a related system and method therefor. The portable medical device (200) is configured to establish a communication link (107) with an alarm system (100) such as a residential or business alarm, upon the occurrence of a triggering event. Triggering events may be related to the use, operation or deployment of the portable medical device (200) in an emergency situation, or they may be for service, status or maintenance purposes, e.g., to report device failures, system checks, etc. The portable medical device (200) is configured to deliver therapy to a patient, wherein the therapy delivered to the patient may be any or combination of medial therapies, e.g., defibrillation, drugs, etc., for any one or combination of medical applications, such as stroke, cardiac arrest, diabetic shock, etc.

Abstract: A medical device user interface is customized for a particular type of user late in the production process or after delivery by using customization software loaded from an external source, such as a PC, a PDA or a network, or from a memory cartridge or replaceable component, e.g., a battery or a set of electrodes.

Abstract: The power source in a portable defibrillator includes a replaceable first power pack and a rechargeable second power pack. The first power pack charges the second power pack. The second power pack supplies most of the energy needed to administer a defibrillation shock. The first power pack may include one or more lithium thionyl chloride batteries. The second power pack may include one or more lithium ion batteries and/or ultracapacitors.

Abstract: The power source in a portable defibrillator includes a replaceable first power pack and a rechargeable second power pack. The first power pack charges the second power pack. The second power pack supplies most of the energy needed to administer a defibrillation shock. The first power pack may include one or more lithium thionyl chloride batteries. The second power pack may include one or more lithium ion batteries and/or ultracapacitors.

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: Medical electrode arrangements are provided for electrotherapy and monitoring applications. In one embodiment, each electrode arrangement includes a smaller electrode that is releasably attached to the back of a larger electrode. For adult applications, the larger electrode is applied to the patient. For pediatric applications, the larger electrode is preferably removed, and the smaller electrode is applied to the patient. Face-to-face and back-to-back electrode arrangement configurations are also provided. In a further embodiment, an electrode arrangement is comprised of first and second conductive regions of a common substrate that are separable by a division line in the substrate. For adult applications, stored energy is conducted through both conductive regions. For pediatric applications, the second region of the substrate is removed along the division line. A sensing mechanism is also provided to detect whether the electrode arrangement has been placed in an adult or pediatric configuration.

Abstract: Medical electrode arrangements are provided for electrotherapy and monitoring applications. In one embodiment, each electrode arrangement includes a smaller electrode that is releasably attached to the back of a larger electrode. For adult applications, the larger electrode is applied to the patient. For pediatric applications, the larger electrode is preferably removed, and the smaller electrode is applied to the patient. Face-to-face and back-to-back electrode arrangement configurations are also provided. In another embodiment, an electrode arrangement is comprised of first and second conductive regions that are separable from each other. In yet further embodiments, an electrode arrangement is comprised of two or more electrodes that are not physically or electrically connected to each other. At least one electrode from each electrode arrangement is placed on the patient. A sensor is also provided to sense which electrodes in each electrode arrangement have been placed on the patient.

Abstract: A system and device for implementing an integrated component package in a medical device are provided. An integrated component package includes a set of components utilized by the medical device to deliver a therapy to patient and/or monitor a condition of a patient. The integrated component package can provide language-specific instructions, memory and power resources, and medical supplies for patient use. Further, the integrated component package can configure various medical device operational parameters on a medical device.

Abstract: The power source in a portable defibrillator includes a replaceable first power pack and a rechargeable second power pack. The first power pack charges the second power pack. The second power pack supplies most of the energy needed to administer a defibrillation shock. The first power pack may include one or more lithium thionyl chloride batteries. The second power pack may include one or more lithium ion batteries and/or ultracapacitors.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system, method and apparatus for obtaining status information from a portable medical device and communicating said status information to a remote system or user. In one embodiment, the system comprises a sensing device that comprises an optical receiver for receiving status information from at least one status indicator of the portable medical device. The optical receiver is positioned in sufficient proximity to the status indicator to allow optical communication between the optical receiver and the status indicator. A circuit couplable to the optical receiver communicates the status information represented by the status indicator to the remote system or user. In another embodiment, the sensing device comprises a microphone to receive audible status signals from the portable medical device. In yet another embodiment, the sensing device is mounted to a housing, which allows sensing device to sense the status information of an enclosed portable medical device.

Abstract: The invention provides a wireless automatic location identification (ALI) capable system (10), including a medical device (12) having a wireless data communicator (14), a wireless communication network (16), and a remote locating service (18) for remotely locating and monitoring one or more medical devices over the wireless communication network. When the medical device is linked to the remote locating service over the communication network, the ALI-capable system identifies the location of the medical device and relays the location information to the remote locating service. The system permits reliable determination of the location of the medical device wherever the medical device is situated. The medical device may further be configured to transmit signals indicative of its status, condition, or self-test results, to the remote locating service. This feature allows the remote locating service to centrally monitor the status or condition of a plurality of medical devices.

Abstract: An upgrade kit and method for converting a typical monophasic defibrillator into a biphasic defibrillator is provided. The upgrade kit is easily connected to a typical monophasic defibrillator and uses control signals that are commonly available in most monophasic defibrillators. Such control signals include the signals for transferring the defibrillation pulse to the patient, and for dumping unwanted energy from the energy storage capacitor. In addition, the upgrade kit avoids the need for information as to the charge level of the storage capacitor by using a discharge method that allows the production of proper biphasic defibrillation pulses regardless of the initial energy settings of the storage capacitor. More specifically, the upgrade kit determines the desired length of the biphasic defibrillation pulses according to two measurements which are taken during the defibrillation pulse.

Abstract: An external defibrillator with an output circuit having four legs arrayed in the form of an “H” (an “H-bridge”) is disclosed. The output circuit is designed to be able to conduct a range of defibrillation pulse energies, from below 50 joules to above 200 joules. Each leg of the output circuit contains a solid-state switch. By selectively switching on pairs of switches in the H-bridge, a biphasic defibrillation pulse may be applied to a patient. The switches in three of the legs of the H-bridge output circuit are preferably silicon controlled rectifiers (SCRs). Gate drive circuits are coupled to the SCRs to bias the SCRs with a voltage that allows the SCRs to remain turned-on even when conducting low current. The switch in the fourth leg is preferably a pair of insulated gate bipolar transistors (IGBTs) coupled in series. A gate drive circuit is coupled to the gate of the IGBTs to provide a slow turn-on and a fast turn-off of the IGBTs.

Abstract: A defibrillator method and apparatus use a measurement of the time that it takes for an electrical parameter related to the defibrillation pulse discharge to reach an intermediate parameter threshold to determine the duration of the pulse. In one embodiment, the defibrillator measures the elapsed time that it takes for an electrical parameter to reach a predetermined intermediate parameter threshold. The defibrillator determines a period of time for extending the duration of the pulse based on the measured elapsed time. In other embodiments, the intermediate parameter threshold may vary during the pulse discharge and/or multiple intermediate parameter thresholds may be used. The measurement of elapsed time may also be used to determine other conditions for truncating the defibrillation pulse, such as voltage, current, energy, charge, or time. The defibrillator thus provides a defibrillation pulse whose duration is dynamically determined from a time measurement made during the delivery of the pulse.

Abstract: An automated external defibrillator (AED) (10) designed for use by a rescuer with minimal or no training during a medical emergency is provided. The AED implements a user interface program (22) which guides the rescuer through operation of the AED and application of CPR and defibrillation therapy to a patient by displaying a series of visual instructions on a graphic display (14) or other visual output device, and by providing additional aural instructions via a speaker (18) or other aural output device. The rescuer merely needs to press a start button (12) to initiate operation of the AED and begin CPR and defibrillation instruction.

Abstract: An upgrade kit and method for converting a typical monophasic defibrillator into a biphasic defibrillator is provided. The upgrade kit is easily connected to a typical monophasic defibrillator and uses control signals that are commonly available in most monophasic defibrillators. Such control signals include the signals for transferring the defibrillation pulse to the patient, and for dumping unwanted energy from the energy storage capacitor. In addition, the upgrade kit avoids the need for information as to the charge level of the storage capacitor by using a discharge method that allows the production of proper biphasic defibrillation pulses regardless of the initial energy settings of the storage capacitor. More specifically, the upgrade kit determines the desired length of the biphasic defibrillation pulses according to two measurements which are taken during the defibrillation pulse.