Abstract:
A device for assisting a caregiver in delivering cardiac resuscitation to a patient, the device comprising a user interface configured to deliver prompts to a caregiver to assist the caregiver in delivering cardiac resuscitation to a patient; at least one sensor configured to detect the caregiver's progress in delivering the cardiac resuscitation, wherein the sensor is configured to provide a signal containing information indicative of ventilation; a memory in which a plurality of different prompts are stored, including at least one ventilation progress prompt to guide the rescuer's performance of ventilation; a processor configured to process the output of the sensor to determine a parameter descriptive of ventilation progress and to determine whether the ventilation progress prompt should be selected for delivery. Possible parameters descriptive of ventilation progress include ventilation rate, delivered tidal volume, and flow rate.
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 method of automatically determining which type of treatment is most appropriate for (or the physiological state of) a patient. The method comprises transforming one or more time domain measurements from the patient into frequency domain data representative of the frequency content of the time domain measurements; processing the frequency domain data to form a plurality of spectral bands, the content of a spectral band representing the frequency content of the measurements within a frequency band; forming a weighted sum of the content of the spectral bands, with different weighting coefficients applied to at least some of the spectral bands; determining the type of treatment (or physiological state) based on the weighted sum.
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:
External electromagnetic stimulation of the interior of the body by applying three or more electrodes to the exterior of the patient to establish at least two electrical paths across the interior of the patient, determining impedance information representative of an impedance distribution across the interior of the body, delivering an electromagnetic waveform across each of the at least two electrical paths, wherein at least one parameter of the waveform is selected using the impedance information to produce a selected current density distribution at one or more locations within the interior of the body.
Abstract:
Optical alignment for piston driven chest compression devices optimizes the application of chest compressions to a fixed location on a subject's chest and provides information regarding the depth and frequency of chest compressions. The targeting system records and may display some telemetry corresponding to any movement or “walking” away from the selected compression site as well as the depth and frequency of compressions. The targeting system is interconnected to the compression device controller and the targeting system provides warnings to operators if the compression components contact the subject outside a preset warning limit away from the selected compression site. The targeting system may also halt the compression device if the site of contact between the compression components and the subject is located outside a preset absolute limit.
Abstract:
A method of automatically determining which type of treatment is most appropriate for a cardiac arrest victim, the method comprising transforming one or more time domain electrocardiogram (ECG) signals into a frequency domain representation comprising a plurality of discrete frequency bands, combining the discrete frequency bands into a plurality of analysis bands, wherein there are fewer analysis bands than discrete frequency bands, determining the content of the analysis bands, and determining the type of treatment based on the content of the analysis bands.
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 device for assisting a rescuer in delivering therapy to an adult or pediatric patient, the device including a user interface comprising a display and/or audio speakers, the user interface being configured to deliver prompts to a rescuer to assist the rescuer in delivering therapy to a patient; a processor configured to provide prompts to the user interface and to perform an ECG analysis algorithm on ECG information detected from the patient; at least one detection element configured to determine without rescuer input via the user interface that a pediatric patient is being treated; wherein, if a pediatric patient is detected, the processor modifies the ECG analysis algorithm or the prompts provided to the user interface to use an ECG analysis algorithm or prompts adapted for a pediatric patient rather than for an adult patient.
Abstract:
In general the invention features inserting a probe element through the skin by moving the probe element along a penetration path in a series of incremental movements. The incremental movements produce incremental penetrations of the skin that are each small enough not to produce substantial stimulation of nerve axons (e.g., nociceptor axons).