Capturing images of a defibrillation scene

• US 20040015191A1
• Filed: 03/31/2003
• Published: 01/22/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/31/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Physio-Control Corp. (Stryker Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Physio-Control Corp. (Stryker Corporation)
• Inventors: Otman, Alejandro A., Nova, Richard C., Kavounas, Gregory T., Moore, Mark P.
• Application Number:
  US10/405,071
• Publication Number:
  US 20040015191A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/5
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37282 characterised by communication with experts in remote locations using a network
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/39 Heart defibrillators
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3904 External heart defibrillators [EHD]
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3925 Monitoring; Protecting

Abstract

Techniques for capturing images of a defibrillation scene may involve obtaining images of a defibrillator scene using a camera coupled, in communication with, or integrated with an external defibrillator, such as an AED. For example, when a person arrives on the scene of a patient suffering sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) with a defibrillator, the person aims the camera at the patient and obtains an image of the patient. The camera may obtain a series of images, such as video imagery, and store the images in a storage medium associated with the camera or the defibrillator. The stored images may serve to document the defibrillation incident for later evaluation. For example, the stored images may provide a video record of actions taken, observed patient responses, and other significant events during the course of the incident. In some instances, the camera or defibrillator may transmit the images to a remote assistance center.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

obtaining an image of a patient; and

storing the image in a defibrillator.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising associating the stored image with data about the patient.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

obtaining operational data during operation of the external defibrillator; and

associating the operational data with the stored image.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising communicating the stored image to another device.

5. The method of claim 3, in which the operational data includes one of physiological patient data and treatment event data.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising obtaining a second image of the patient in the same way as the first.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

obtaining the image via a camera; and

controlling operation of the camera via the external defibrillator.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising obtaining the image using a camera, and surrendering control of the camera at least in part to the defibrillator.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising obtaining the image using a camera, and transmitting the image from the camera to a remote assistance center.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising transmitting the image from the camera to the remote assistance center via a communication module in the defibrillator.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising obtaining the image using a camera, and surrendering control of the camera to a remote assistance center.

12. The method of claim 1, further comprising obtaining the image using a camera, and receiving instructions for aiming the camera from a remote assistance center.

13. The method of claim 1, further comprising obtaining the image using a camera, and receiving instructions for aiming the camera from the defibrillator.

14. A method comprising:

obtaining an image of a patient;

establishing a communication link with a remote defibrillation assistance center; and

transmitting the image to the remote defibrillation assistance center via the communication link.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

reading a telephone number from a defibrillator; and

calling the telephone number to establish the communication link.

16. The method of claim 14, in which the communication link includes a link between the center and a defibrillator.

17. The method of claim 14, in which the communication link is a wireless telephone link established by the defibrillator.

18. The method of claim 14, further comprising receiving instructions from the center.

19. The method of claim 18, in which the instructions are verbal, and concern one of defibrillation and instructions about receiving further images.

20. The method of claim 18, in which the instructions are conveyed in signals attuned to operate one of a defibrillator and a camera that has been used to obtain the image.

21. A defibrillator comprising:

a defibrillator circuit to deliver a defibrillation shock to a patient; and

a camera to obtain an image of the patient.

22. The defibrillator of claim 21, further comprising a memory to store the image.

23. The defibrillator of claim 21, further comprising:

means for retransmitting the image to a remote defibrillation assistance center.

24. The external defibrillator of claim 21, further comprising a processor to associate the stored image with the patient.

25. The external defibrillator of claim 24, in which the processor obtains operational data during operation of the external defibrillator, and associates the operational data with the stored image.

26. The external defibrillator of claim 25, further comprising a communication circuit to communicate the operational data and the storage image to an external device.

27. The external defibrillator of claim 25, in which the operational data includes physiological patient data and treatment event data.

28. The external defibrillator of claim 24, further comprising a communication circuit to provide wireless communication between the camera and the processor.

29. The external defibrillator of claim 21, in which the camera is mounted to a housing associated with the external defibrillator.

30. The external defibrillator of claim 21, in which the camera is integrated with the external defibrillator.

31. The external defibrillator of claim 21, in which the camera is a video camera.

32. The external defibrillator of claim 21, further comprising obtaining a series of images of the patient during treatment of the patient with the external defibrillator.

33. The external defibrillator of claim 21, further comprising a processor to control operation of the camera.

34. The external defibrillator of claim 21, wherein the external defibrillator is an automated external defibrillator.

35. The external defibrillator of claim 21, further comprising a processor to control the defibrillator.

36. The external defibrillator of claim 21, further comprising a communication module to transmit the image to a remote assistance center.

37. The external defibrillator of claim 36, further comprising a processor that communicates with the remote assistance center via the communication module, the processor surrendering control of the camera to the remote assistance center.

38. The external defibrillator of claim 36, further comprising a processor to receive instructions for aiming the camera from the remote assistance center.

39. The external defibrillator of claim 36, further comprising a user interface to present instructions for aiming the camera.

40. A device comprising:

means for obtaining an image of a patient; and

means for storing the image in an external defibrillator.

41. The device of claim 40, further comprising associating the stored image with the patient.

42. The device of claim 40, further comprising:

means for obtaining operational data during operation of the external defibrillator; and

means for associating the operational data with the stored image.

43. The device of claim 42, further comprising means for communicating the operational data and the stored image to an external device.

44. The device of claim 42, in which the operational data includes physiological patient data and treatment event data.

45. A method comprising:

obtaining an image of a patient an external defibrillator;

obtaining operational data associated with treatment of the patient from the external defibrillator; and

presenting the image and the physiological data together on a display device.

46. The method of claim 45, in which the operational data includes physiological patient data and treatment event data.

47. The method of claim 45, in which the image includes video imagery.

48. The method of claim 45, in which the image includes a series of images of the patient during treatment of the patient with the external defibrillator.

49. A method comprising:

receiving an image of a defibrillation scene; and

transmitting signals to control a defibrillator at the defibrillation scene.

50. The method of claim 49, further comprising receiving the image at a remote assistance center.

51. The method of claim 49, in which the signals include signal to control delivery of a shock to a patient by the defibrillator.

52. The method of claim 49, in which transmitting signals includes:

establishing a communication link between the defibrillator and the remote assistance center; and

transmitting the image to the remote defibrillation assistance center via the communication link.

53. The method of claim 52, in which the communication link is a wireless telephone link established by the defibrillator.