Abstract: A new portable apparatus and method for sequentially pumping blood headward to assist cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and other medical procedures is disclosed. A pair of autocycling retrograde inflation trousers comprise calf and thigh encircling air bladders and abdomen covering air bladders connected in pneumatic series so that as the air bladders are filled starting with the furthermost (from the heart) calf encircling air bladders, the bladders sequentially fill to force, or milk, blood headward. The trousers are filled from an adjustable autocycling air pressure regulator connected to a standard fire department self-contained breathing apparatus air bottle. The air pressure regulator adjusts the air pressure between a higher pressure sufficient to force blood flow headward and a lower pressure sufficient to maintain peripheral vascular resistance. The autocycling inflation and deflation controlled by the air pressure regulator aids a heath care provider in timing CPR.

Abstract: A physiological well-being monitoring system especially suited for use by the pilot or other aircrew members of a high-performance aircraft such as a tactical aircraft is disclosed. The monitoring arrangement includes non-invasive sensing of arterial blood supply in the cranial adjacent portions of the pilot's body through the use of pulsating vascular bed optical signal transmission. The signal transmission is accomplished by way of sensors included in a pilot invisible and non-obstructing modification of, for example, the oxygen mask portion of the pilot life-support apparatus. Use of the physiological monitoring signals to generate alarm or assume control of the aircraft is also disclosed along with representative data associated with the sensed pilot physiological well-being indicators.