Automated chest compression apparatus

• US 20020026131A1
• Filed: 09/12/2001
• Published: 02/28/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 11/09/1998
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Zoll Circulation Incorporated (Asahi Kasei Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Zoll Circulation Incorporated (Asahi Kasei Corporation)
• Inventors: Halperin, Henry R.
• Granted Patent: US 7,056,295 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 601/41
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2011/005 with belt or strap expanding and contracting around an encircled body part
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2031/003 with alternated thorax decompression due to lateral compression
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/1238 with hydraulic or pneumatic drive
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5007 computer controlled
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 31/006 Power driven
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 9/0078 with intermittent or alternately inflated bladders or cuffs mattresses for preventing bed-sores with alternated pressurized chambers A61G7/05776
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 601/06 Artificial respiration conforming to shape of torso

Abstract

A system applies cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) to a recipient. An automated controller is provided together with a compression device which periodically applies a force to a recipient'"'"'s thorax under control of the automated controller. A band is adapted to be placed around a portion of the torso of the recipient corresponding to the recipient'"'"'s thorax. A driver mechanism shortens and lengthens the circumference of the band. By shortening the circumference of the band, radial forces are created acting on at least lateral and anterior portions of the thorax. A translating mechanism may be. provided for translating the radial forces to increase the concentration of anterior radial forces acting on the anterior portion of the thorax. The driver mechanism may comprise a tension device for applying a circumference tensile force to the band. The driver mechanism may comprise an electric motor, a pneumatic linear actuator, or a contracting mechanism defining certain portions of the circumference of the band. The contracting mechanism may comprise plural fluid-receiving cells linked together along the circumference of the band. The width of each of the fluid-receiving cells becomes smaller as each cell is filled with a fluid. This causes the contraction of the band and a resulting shortening of the circumference of the band.

Claims

1. A device for compressing the chest of a patient comprising:

a band adapted to extend around the chest of the patient;

a driver mechanism, operably connected to the band, for circumferentially contracting the band;

a fluid-filled cushion disposed between the chest of the patient and the band; and

an automatic controller for controlling operation of the driver mechanism.

2. A device for compressing the chest of a patient comprising:

a band adapted to extend around the chest of the patient, the band having a length and a plurality of fluid-receiving cells disposed along the length of the band;

a driver mechanism, operably connected to the band, for inflating the fluid-receiving cells;

a cushion disposed between the chest of the patient and the band; and

an automatic controller for controlling operation of the driver mechanism.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the cushion is a sealed cushion.

4. The device of claim 2, wherein the band is comprised of an inelastic material.

5. A device for compressing the chest of a patient comprising:

a band adapted to extend around the chest of the patient, the band having a length and a plurality of fluid-receiving cells disposed along the length of the band, wherein the plurality of fluid-receiving cells are in fluid communication with each other;

a driver mechanism, connected to the band and the fluid-receiving cells, for inflating the fluid-receiving cells;

a cushion disposed between the chest of the patient and the band; and

an automatic controller for controlling the operation of the driver mechanism.

6. The device of claim 5, wherein the cushion is a sealed cushion.

7. The device of claim 5, wherein the band is comprised of an inelastic material.

8. A device for compressing the chest of a patient comprising:

a band adapted to extend around the chest of the patient, the band having a length and a plurality of fluid-receiving cells disposed along the length of the band, each fluid-receiving cells being interconnected to another fluid-receiving cells by a linking portion;

a driver mechanism, operably connected to the band, for inflating the fluid-receiving cells;

a cushion disposed between the chest of the patient and the band; and

an automatic controller for controlling operation of the driver mechanism.

9. The device of claim 8, wherein the cushion is a sealed cushion.

10. The device of claim 8, wherein the band is comprised of an inelastic material.

11. A device for compressing the chest of a patient comprising:

a band adapted to extend around the chest of the patient, the band having a length and a plurality of fluid-receiving cells disposed along the length of the band, each fluid-receiving cells being interconnected to another fluid-receiving cell by a linking portion, wherein the plurality of fluid-receiving cells are in fluid communication with each other;

a driver mechanism, connected to the band and the fluid-receiving cells, for inflating the fluid-receiving cells;

a cushion disposed between the chest of the patient and the band; and

an automatic controller for controlling the operation of the driver mechanism.

12. The device of claim 11, wherein the cushion is a sealed cushion.

13. The device of claim 11, wherein the band is comprised of an inelastic material.