High efficiency external counterpulsation apparatus and method for controlling same

• US 20020099409A1
• Filed: 11/09/2001
• Published: 07/25/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 11/10/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Vaso Corp.
• Original Assignee: Vaso Corp.
• Inventors: Hui, John C.K.
• Application Number:
  US10/037,874
• Publication Number:
  US 20020099409A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/201
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 13/06 raising or lowering of the whole table surface A61G13/04 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 13/08 the table being divided into different adjustable sections
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 2203/46 for temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/05776 with at least two groups of alternately inflated chambers
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2031/025 using the same pump for pressure and vacuum, not being driven at the respiratory rate, e.g. blowers
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/0103 inflatable
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/1238 with hydraulic or pneumatic drive
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/165 Wearable interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5007 computer controlled
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/501 connected to external computer devices or networks
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2205/10 Leg
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2230/04 Heartbeat characteristics, e.g. E.G.C., blood pressure modulation
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 31/00 Artificial respiration or heart stimulation, e.g. heart massage artificial respiration by treatment with gas or air, e.g. mouth-to-mouth respiration A61M16/00; applying electric currents by contact electrodes for stimulation, e.g. heart pace-makers A61N1/36 ; teaching or training models, demonstration models for medical purposes G09B23/288
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 31/005 with feedback for the user
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 31/006 Power driven
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 31/008 Supine patient supports or bases, e.g. improving air-way access to the lungs
• 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

Abstract

The present invention provides an external counterpulsation apparatus and computer-implemented system for recording patient information for a patient who is receiving treatment from an external counterpulsation device. A patient treatment data structure stores treatment information for one or more patients receiving treatment and a computing device connected to the external counterpulsation device controls operation of the external counterpulsation device and receives the treatment information. The patient data structure also may store demographic information for one or more patients receiving treatment. The computing device receives the treatment information and patient demographic information, and stores the received information in the patient data structure. The computing device is able to output and communicate the treatment information and patient demographic information.

Claims

1. An external counterpulsation apparatus for treating a patient and providing patient information, comprising:

a plurality of inflatable devices adapted to be received about the lower extremities of the patient;

a source of compressed fluid in fluid communication with said inflatable devices;

a fluid distribution assembly interconnected with said inflatable devices and said source of compressed fluid for distributing compressed fluid from said source of compressed fluid to said inflatable devices; and

a data structure for storing patient information; and

a computing device in communication with said fluid distribution assembly and said data structure and receiving said patient information.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said data structure is a patient data structure for storing demographic information for the patient receiving treatment.

3. An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said computing device stores said demographic information in said patient data structure.

4. An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said patient demographic information includes at least one of a patient identifier, a patient name, and patient medical data.

5. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said data structure is a patient treatment data structure for storing treatment information for the patient receiving treatment.

6. An apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said computing device stores said treatment information in said patient treatment data structure.

7. An apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said patient treatment information includes at least one of ECG data, ECG wave form, blood pressure data, blood flow data, heart rate data, treatment duration and inflation/deflation cycle data.

8. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said computing device communicates said patient information over a communication link to a second computing device.

9. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said computing device controls inflation and deflation of said inflatable devices.

10. A computer-implemented system for recording patient information for a patient who is receiving treatment from an external counterpulsation device, comprising:

a patient treatment data structure for storing treatment information for one or more patients receiving treatment; and

a computing device connected to the external counterpulsation device for controlling operation of the external counterpulsation device and receiving said treatment information.

11. The computer-implemented system of claim 10, wherein said computing device stores said treatment information in said patient treatment data structure.

12. The computer-implemented system of claim 10, further comprising a patient data structure for storing demographic information for one or more patients receiving treatment.

13. The computer-implemented system of claim 12, wherein said computing device receives said patient demographic information and stores said demographic information in said patient data structure.

14. The computer-implemented system of claim 13, wherein said patient demographic information includes at least one of a patient identifier, a patient name, and patient medical data.

15. The computer-implemented system of claim 12, wherein said computing device is adapted to communicate said patient demographic information over a communication link to a second computing device.

16. The computer-implemented system of claim 10, wherein the patient treatment information includes at least one of ECG data from the patient, blood pressure data from the patient, heart rate data from the patient and inflation/deflation cycle data associated with the external counterpulsation device.

17. The computer-implemented system of claim 10, wherein said computing device is adapted to communicate said patient treatment information over a communication link to a second computing device.

18. The computer-implemented system of claim 10, wherein said external counterpulsation device includes an inflatable device adapted to be received about the lower extremities of the patient and a fluid distribution assembly in fluid communication with said inflatable device for distributing compressed fluid to said inflatable device, said computing device controlling distribution of said compressed fluid to said inflatable device.

20. The system according to claim 19, wherein said external counterpulsation device includes a plurality of inflatable devices adapted to be received about the lower extremities of the patient, a source of compressed fluid in fluid communication with said inflatable devices, and a fluid distribution assembly interconnected with said inflatable devices and said source of compressed fluid for distributing compressed fluid from said source of compressed fluid to said inflatable devices.

21. The computer-implemented system of claim 19, further comprising a patient data structure for storing demographic information for one or more patients receiving treatment.

22. The computer-implemented system of claim 21, wherein said computing device receives said patient demographic information and stores said demographic information in said patient data structure.

23. The computer-implemented system of claim 22, wherein said patient demographic information includes at least one of a patient identifier, a patient name, and patient medical data.

24. The computer-implemented system of claim 21, wherein said computing device is adapted to communicate said patient demographic information over a communication link to a second computing device.

25. The computer-implemented system of claim 19, wherein the patient treatment information includes at least one of ECG data from the patient, blood pressure data from the patient, heart rate data from the patient and inflation/deflation cycle data associated with the external counterpulsation device.

26. The computer-implemented system of claim 19, wherein said computing device is adapted to communicate said patient treatment information over a communication link to a second computing device.

28. The computer implemented system of claim 27, wherein said treatment information includes at least one of patient demographic information, patient treatment information, and treatment site information.

29. The computer implemented system of claim 27, wherein said treatment information includes patient ECG data and inflation/deflation data.

30. The computer implemented system of claim 29, wherein said inflation/deflation data includes indicating inflation and deflation of said inflatable device.

31. The computer implemented system of claim 29, wherein said inflation/deflation data includes a timing bar for each inflation/deflation cycle, a leading edge of said timing bar corresponding to the initiation of deflation and a trailing edge of said timing bar corresponding to the initiation of deflation.

32. The computer implemented system of claim 31, wherein the timing bar further includes a trigger signal indicating a time at which each inflation/deflation cycle is triggered.

33. The computer implemented system of claim 30, wherein said inflation/deflation data includes a timing marker indicating inflation and deflation of the inflatable devices in relation to an ECG signal.

34. The computer implemented system of claim 33, wherein said timing marker is superimposed on an ECG signal to indicate inflation and deflation in relation to a QRS wave.

35. The computer implemented system of claim 33, wherein the timing marker includes high frequency noise superimposed on the ECG signal.

36. The computer implemented system of claim 27, wherein said treatmen information includes at least one of ECG data, ECG waveform, applied pressure data, plethysmograph data, inflation time, deflation time, and cumulative treatment time.

19. A system for treating a patient and for recording patient information, comprising:

an external counterpulsation device;

a patient treatment data structure for storing treatment information for one or more patients receiving treatment; and

a computing device connected to the external counterpulsation device for controlling operation of the external counterpulsation device and receiving said treatment information.

27. A computer implemented system for treating a patient and recording patient information, comprising:

an external counterpulsation device including an inflation/deflation valve and an inflatable device;

a computing device connected to the external counterpulsation device for controlling operation of the external counterpulsation device through each inflation/deflation cycle, receiving treatment information, and outputting external counterpulsation device operation information; and

an output device connected to the computing device for displaying said treatment information and said external counterpulsation device operation information.