Abstract: A defibrillator system capable of defibrillation and patient monitoring. When used as a patient monitor, the defibrillator system includes a defibrillator and removable monitoring electrodes. The monitoring electrodes communicate with a monitoring adapter and the defibrillator. A method of detecting the presence of the monitoring electrodes by the defibrillator is also included. A removable monitoring adapter. The removable monitoring adapter having a test impedance. Defibrillators include semi-automatic defibrillators and automatic defibrillators (“AEDs”).

Abstract: An apparatus detects corruption of an event signal by two or more non-event artifacts by using multivariable artifact assessment. The apparatus comprises: 1) a sensor for providing an input signal comprising an event signal coexisting with two or more non-event signals, 2) a measurement system including a receiver for receiving the input signal from the sensor and separating the received input signal into its constituent parts, 3) detectors for detecting both the event signal and non-event signals from the received input signal, and 4) an inference processor for analyzing the correlation signals to produce an indication of signal corruption.

Abstract: An electrotherapy device includes a power supply and electrodes. The electrodes are coupled to the power supply to deliver a defibrillating shock to a patient. Electronic circuitry is coupled to the electrodes and is operable to detect heart rhythms via the electrodes. Further, control circuitry is coupled to the electronic circuitry and the power supply and configurable to selectively classify patient heart rhythms that generate a shockable condition, the control circuitry operable to arm the power supply for energizing the electrodes responsive to such detectable shockable condition. A method is also provided.

Abstract: A defibrillator having an energy storage capacitor network with multiple configurations selected according to patient impedance and desired energy level for delivery of an impedance-compensated defibrillation pulse is provided. The set of configurations may include series, parallel, and series/parallel combinations of energy storage capacitors within the energy storage capacitor network. The impedance-compensated defibrillation pulse may be delivered over an expanded range of energy levels while limiting the peak current to levels that are safe for the patient using configurations tailored for lower impedance patients and limiting the range of defibrillation pulse durations and providing adequate current levels for higher impedance patients. Configurations of the energy storage capacitor network may be readily added to extend the range of energy levels well above 200 joules.

Abstract: An electrotherapy apparatus performs a low level impedance measurement upon the patient to determine the initial charge level on the capacitor used to deliver an electrotherapy waveform to the patient. In addition, the waveform applied to the patient is dynamically controlled to compensate for patient impedance variability. Determining the initial charge level in this manner prevents unnecessarily high peak currents from flowing in low impedance patients while maintaining peak current in high impedance patients at therapeutically beneficial levels. The electrotherapy apparatus includes a measuring device used for measuring a parameter related to the impedance of the patient. The parameter is used for determining low level patient impedance. The measuring device provides a voltage output used by a controller for determining the initial charge level of the capacitor. A first embodiment of a first electrotherapy apparatus includes four electronic switches to deliver a bi-phasic waveform to the patient.

Abstract: An electrotherapy device includes a power supply and electrodes. The electrodes are coupled to the power supply to deliver a defibrillating shock to a patient. Electronic circuitry is coupled to the electrodes and is operable to detect heart rhythms via the electrodes. Further, control circuitry is coupled to the electronic circuitry and the power supply and configurable to selectively classify patient heart rhythms that generate a shockable condition, the control circuitry operable to arm the power supply for energizing the electrodes responsive to such detectable shockable condition. A method is also provided.

Abstract: This invention provides an external defibrillator and defibrillation method that automatically compensates for patient-to-patient impedance differences in the delivery of electrotherapeutic pulses for defibrillation and cardioversion. In a preferred embodiment, the defibrillator has an energy source that may be discharged through electrodes on the patient to provide a biphasic voltage or current pulse. In one aspect of the invention, the first and second phase duration and initial first phase amplitude are predetermined values. In a second aspect of the invention, the duration of the first phase of the pulse may be extended if the amplitude of the first phase of the pulse fails to fall to a threshold value by the end of the predetermined first phase duration, as might occur with a high impedance patient.

Abstract: An apparatus analyzes a composite input signal to determine whether the amount of common mode signal in the composite signal is unacceptably high; thus, precluding an accurate diagnosis of the differential mode signal of interest. Method steps include separating the composite signal input into intermediate signals that are known functions of the differential mode signals of interest and common mode signals (or a suitable combination thereof). In one embodiment, the intermediate signals are cross-correlated to produce a measure of correlation between the intermediate signals. This measure is then compared with a threshold value. If the comparison is favorable, then the data is presumed to be uncorrupted and analysis of the signal representing the differential mode signal continues. Otherwise, the data is presumed to be corrupted and analysis of the signal data is inhibited.

Abstract: A defibrillator with an automatic self-test system that includes a test signal generator and a defibrillator status indicator. The test system preferably performs functional tests and calibration verification tests automatically in response to test signals generated periodically and/or in response to predetermined conditions or events and indicates the test results visually and audibly. The invention also relates to a method for automatically determining and indicating a defibrillator's status without human intervention.

Abstract: This invention provides an external defibrillator and defibrillation method that automatically compensates for patient-to-patient impedance differences in the delivery of electrotherapeutic pulses for defibrillation and cardioversion. In a preferred embodiment, the defibrillator has an energy source that may be discharged through electrodes on the patient to provide a biphasic voltage or current pulse. In one aspect of the invention, the first and second phase duration and initial first phase amplitude are predetermined values. In a second aspect of the invention, the duration of the first phase of the pulse may be extended if the amplitude of the first phase of the pulse fails to fall to a threshold value by the end of the predetermined first phase duration, as might occur with a high impedance patient.

Abstract: An electrotherapy method and apparatus for delivering a multiphasic waveform from an energy source to a patient. The preferred embodiment of the method comprises the steps of charging the energy source to an initial level; discharging the energy source across the electrodes to deliver electrical energy to the patient in a multiphasic waveform; monitoring a patient-dependent electrical parameter during the discharging step; shaping the waveform of the delivered electrical energy based on a value of the monitored electrical parameter, wherein the relative duration of the phases of the multiphasic waveform is dependent on the value of the monitored electrical parameter.

Abstract: A defibrillator with an automatic self-test system that includes a test signal generator and a defibrillator status indicator. The test system preferably performs functional tests and calibration verification tests automatically in response to test signals generated periodically and/or in response to predetermined conditions or events and indicates the test results visually and audibly. The invention also relates to a method for automatically determining and indicating a defibrillator's status without human intervention.

Abstract: This invention provides an external defibrillator and defibrillation method that automatically compensates for patient-to-patient impedance differences in the delivery of electrotherapeutic pulses for defibrillation and cardioversion. In a preferred embodiment, the defibrillator has an energy source that may be discharged through electrodes on the patient to provide a biphasic voltage or current pulse. In one aspect of the invention, the first and second phase duration and initial first phase amplitude are predetermined values. In a second aspect of the invention, the duration of the first phase of the pulse may be extended if the amplitude of the first phase of the pulse fails to fall to a threshold value by the end of the predetermined first phase duration, as might occur with a high impedance patient.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for delivering electrotherapy to a patient through electrodes connected to a plurality of capacitors, including the steps of discharging at least one of the capacitors across the electrodes to deliver electrical energy to the patient, monitoring a patient-dependent electrical parameter (such as voltage, current or charge) during the discharging step, and adjusting energy delivered to the patient based on a value of the electrical parameter. The adjusting step may include selecting a serial or parallel arrangement for the capacitors based on a value of the electrical parameter.

Abstract: This invention provides an external defibrillator and defibrillation method that automatically compensates for patient-to-patient impedance differences in the delivery of electrotherapeutic pulses for defibrillation and cardioversion. In a preferred embodiment, the defibrillator has an energy source that may be discharged through electrodes on the patient to provide a biphasic voltage or current pulse. In one aspect of the invention, the first and second phase duration and initial first phase amplitude are predetermined values. In a second aspect of the invention, the duration of the first phase of the pulse may be extended if the amplitude of the first phase of the pulse fails to fall to a threshold value by the end of the predetermined first phase duration, as might occur with a high impedance patient.

Abstract: This invention provides an external defibrillator and defibrillation method that automatically compensates for patient-to-patient impedance differences in the delivery of electrotherapeutic pulses for defibrillation and cardioversion. In a preferred embodiment, the defibrillator has an energy source that may be discharged through electrodes on the patient to provide a biphasic voltage or current pulse. In one aspect of the invention, the first and second phase duration and initial first phase amplitude are predetermined values. In a second aspect of the invention, the duration of the first phase of the pulse may be extended if the amplitude of the first phase of the pulse fails to fall to a threshold value by the end of the predetermined first phase duration, as might occur with a high impedance patient.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus and method for detecting differential mode signals in an environment where differential mode signals co-exist, and might be corrupted by, common mode signals. The most basic apparatus of the present invention essentially comprises first and second input leads through which both differential mode and common mode signals are input; a first amplifier block having a gain that is substantially one; and at least an inverting node and a non-inverting node connected to the first and second input leads. The output of the amplifier block is fed back to the input of the non-inverting node of the amplifier block in a manner to increase differential mode impedance while maintaining a low common mode impedance. Various embodiments of the basic presently claimed circuitry provides for additional methods of monitoring the level of common-mode signal introduced to the apparatus and other fault detection functions.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus and method for detecting differential mode signals in an environment where differential mode signals co-exist, and might be corrupted by, common mode signals. The most basic apparatus of the present invention essentially comprises first and second input leads through which both differential mode and common mode signals are input; a first amplifier block having a gain that is substantially one; and at least an inverting node and a non-inverting node connected to the first and second input leads. The output of the amplifier block is fed back to the input of the non-inverting node of the amplifier block in a manner to increase differential mode impedance while maintaining a low common mode impedance. Various embodiments of the basic presently claimed circuitry provides for additional methods of monitoring the level of common-mode signal introduced to the apparatus and other fault detection functions.

Abstract: This invention provides an external defibrillator and defibrillation method that automatically compensates for patient-to-patient impedance differences in the delivery of electrotherapeutic pulses for defibrillation and cardioversion. In a preferred embodiment, the defibrillator has an energy source that may be discharged through electrodes on the patient to provide a biphasic voltage or current pulse. In one aspect of the invention, the first and second phase duration and initial first phase amplitude are predetermined values. In a second aspect of the invention, the duration of the first phase of the pulse may be extended if the amplitude of the first phase of the pulse fails to fall to a threshold value by the end of the predetermined first phase duration, as might occur with a high impedance patient.

Abstract: An electrotherapy method and apparatus for delivering a multiphasic waveform from an energy source to a patient. The preferred embodiment of the method comprises the steps of charging the energy source to an initial level; discharging the energy source across the electrodes to deliver electrical energy to the patient in a multiphasic waveform; monitoring a patient-dependent electrical parameter during the discharging step; shaping the waveform of the delivered electrical energy based on a value of the monitored electrical parameter, wherein the relative duration of the phases of the multiphasic waveform is dependent on the value of the monitored electrical parameter.