CPR chest compression device

• US 20040030271A1
• Filed: 06/17/2003
• Published: 02/12/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/25/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Zoll Circulation Incorporated (Asahi Kasei Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Revivant Corporation (Asahi Kasei Corporation)
• Inventors: Mollenauer, Kenneth H., Sherman, Darren R.
• Granted Patent: US 7,008,388 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 601/44
• 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 2201/0103 inflatable
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/0176 By stopping operation
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/018 By limiting the applied torque or force
• 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 2201/5012 using the internet
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5043 Displays
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5058 Sensors or detectors
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5061 Force sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5064 Position sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5071 Pressure sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5089 Gas sensors, e.g. for oxygen or CO2
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5097 wireless
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2230/04 Heartbeat characteristics, e.g. E.G.C., blood pressure modulation
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2230/207 partial O2-value
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2230/30 Blood pressure A61H2230/04 takes precedence
• 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: A61M 16/00 : Devices for influencing the respiratory system of patients by gas treatment, e.g. mouth-to-mouth respiration; Tracheal tubes stimulating the respiratory movement by mechanical, pneumatic or electrical means, iron lungs combined with gas breathing means A61H31/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/10 : Preparation of respiratory gases or vapours
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3546 : Range
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/432 : partial CO2 pressure (P-CO2)
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/046 : Specially adapted for shock therapy, e.g. defibrillation
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0472 : Structure-related aspects
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0492 : Patch electrodes A61N1/0412, A61N1/0428 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/39044 : in combination with cardiopulmonary resuscitation [CPR] therapy
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3968 : Constructional arrangements, e.g. casings A61N1/375 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 601/06 : Artificial respiration conforming to shape of torso
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 601/08 : Artificial respiration with computer control

Abstract

A resuscitation device for automatic compression of a victim'"'"'s chest using a compression belt which exerts force evenly over the entire thoracic cavity. The belt is constricted and relaxed through a motorized spool assembly that repeatedly tightens the belt and relaxes the belt to provide repeated and rapid chest compression.

Claims

1. A chest compression device comprising:

a means for compressing the chest of a patient;

an encoder scale disposed on the means for compressing;

a scanner disposed such that the scanner can read the encoder scale, wherein the scanner is capable of reading the encoder scale and generating a signal corresponding the movement of the encoder scale; and

a controller operably connected to the scanner and to the means for compressing, wherein said controller is programmed to control, based on the signal, the operation of the means for compressing.

2. A system for performing chest compressions, said system comprising:

a chest compression device comprising;

a compression belt suitable for compressing the chest of a patient;

a means for tightening the compression belt operably connected to the compression belt;

an encoder operably connected to the chest compression device, said encoder comprising;

an encoder scale disposed on a component of the compression device;

a scanner capable of reading the encoder scale and generating a signal corresponding the movement of the encoder scale;

a controller operably connected to the encoder and to the chest compression device;

wherein the controller is programmed to receive the signal and determine, based on the signal, a position of the belt;

wherein the controller is further programmed to control, based on the position of the belt, the operation of the compression device.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein the controller is further programmed to determine, based on the position of the belt, the distance the chest of the patient is compressed.

4. The system of claim 2 wherein:

the encoder scale is disposed on the means for tightening the compression belt; and

the encoder scale comprises an angular encoder scale.

5. The system of claim 2 wherein:

the encoder scale is disposed on the belt; and

the encoder scale comprises linear encoder scale.

6. The system of claim 2 wherein the encoder scale comprises an optical encoder scale.

7. The system of claim 2 wherein the encoder scale comprises a magnetic encoder scale.

8. The system of claim 2 wherein the encoder scale comprises an inductive encoder scale.

9. A chest compression device comprising:

a compression belt suitable for compressing the chest of a patient;

a rotating member operatively connected to the compression belt and to a means for rotating the rotating member, wherein rotation of the rotating member is capable of tightening the compression belt about the chest of a patient;

an angular encoder scale disposed on the rotating member;

a scanner disposed such that the scanner can read the angular encoder scale, wherein the scanner is capable of reading the angular encoder scale and generating a signal corresponding to the movement of the angular encoder scale; and

a controller operably connected to the scanner and to the means for rotating the rotating member, said controller programmed to control, based on the signal, the operation of the means for rotating the rotating member.

10. The chest compression device of claim 9 wherein:

the controller is further programmed to determine, based on the signal, a distance the chest of the patient is compressed; and

the controller is further programmed to control, based on the distance the chest of the patient is compressed, the operation of the means for rotating the rotating member.

11. The device of claim 9 wherein the angular encoder scale comprises an optical angular encoder scale.

12. The device of claim 9 wherein the angular encoder scale comprises a magnetic angular encoder scale.

13. The device of claim 9 wherein the angular encoder scale comprises an inductive angular encoder scale.

14. A system for performing chest compressions, said system comprising:

a chest compression device comprising;

a compression belt suitable for compressing the chest of a patient;

a means for tightening the compression belt operably connected to the compression belt;

an encoder operably connected to the chest compression device, said encoder comprising;

an encoder scale disposed on a component of the compression device;

a scanner capable of reading the encoder scale and generating a signal corresponding the movement of the encoder scale;

a controller operably connected to the encoder and to the chest compression device;

wherein the controller is programmed to receive the signal and determine, based on the signal, the velocity at which the belt travels;

wherein the controller is further programmed to control, based on the velocity at which the belt travels, the operation of the compression device.

15. The system of claim 14 wherein:

the encoder scale is disposed on the means for tightening the compression belt; and

the encoder scale comprises an angular encoder scale.

16. The system of claim 14 wherein:

the encoder scale is disposed on the belt; and

the encoder scale comprises linear encoder scale.

17. The system of claim 14 wherein the encoder scale comprises an optical encoder scale.

18. The system of claim 14 wherein the encoder scale comprises a magnetic encoder scale.

19. The system of claim 14 wherein the encoder scale comprises an inductive encoder scale.

20. A chest compression device comprising:

a compression belt suitable for compressing the chest of a patient;

a rotating member operatively connected to the compression belt and to a means for rotating the rotating member, wherein rotation of the rotating member is capable of tightening the compression belt about the chest of a patient;

an angular encoder scale disposed on the rotating member;

a scanner disposed such that the scanner can read the angular encoder scale, wherein the scanner is capable of reading the angular encoder scale and generating a signal corresponding to the movement of the angular encoder scale; and

a controller operably connected to the scanner and to the means for rotating the rotating member, said controller programmed to control, based on the signal, the operation of the means for rotating the rotating member;

wherein the controller is further programmed to determine, based on the signal, a velocity at which the belt travels; and

wherein the controller is further programmed to control, based on the velocity at which the belt travels, the operation of the means for rotating the rotating member.

21. The device of claim 20 wherein the angular encoder scale comprises an optical angular encoder scale.

22. The device of claim 20 wherein the angular encoder scale comprises a magnetic angular encoder scale.

23. The device of claim 20 wherein the angular encoder scale comprises an inductive angular encoder scale.

24. A system for performing chest compressions, said system comprising:

a chest compression device comprising;

a belt adapted to extend at least partially around the chest of the patient, said belt characterized by a paid-out portion and a spooled portion;

a spool operably connected to the belt to wind and unwind the belt upon the spool, thereby affecting the lengths of the spooled and paid-out portions of the belt; and

a motor operably connected to the spool, said motor operable to rotate the spool and tighten the belt about the chest of the patient;

a controller operably connected to the motor and capable of controlling the operation of the motor;

a means for sensing force operably connected to a component of the chest compression device, said means for sensing force operable to sense the force applied by the belt to the chest and to transmit a force signal to the controller, said force signal corresponding to the force applied by the belt to the chest;

wherein said controller is programmed to control the operation of the motor in response to the force signal.

25. The system of claim 24 wherein the controller limits the operation of the motor such that the maximum force exerted on the chest of the patient is in the range of about 50 pounds to about 650 pounds.

26. A system for performing chest compressions, said system comprising:

a chest compression device comprising;

a belt adapted to extend at least partially around the chest of the patient, said belt characterized by a paid-out portion and a spooled portion;

a spool operably connected to the belt to wind and unwind the belt upon the spool, thereby affecting the lengths of the spooled and paid-out portions of the belt; and

a motor operably connected to the spool, said motor operable to rotate the spool and tighten the belt about the chest of the patient;

a controller operably connected to the motor and capable of controlling the operation of the motor;

a means for sensing a parameter applied by the belt to the chest, said parameter selected from the group consisting of force and pressure, said means for sensing a parameter operable to sense the parameter and transmit to the controller a signal corresponding to the parameter;

said controller being programmed to control the operation of the motor in response to the signal.

27. The system of claim 26 wherein the controller is further programmed to:

control operation of the motor by initiating operation of the motor to tighten the belt about the chest of the patient; and

continue tightening operation of the motor until the change in the parameter reaches a pre-determined value.

28. The device of claim 27 wherein:

the parameter selected is force; and

the predetermined value of force is in the range of about 0.5 pounds to about 50 pounds.

29. the device of claim 26 wherein:

the parameter selected is force; and

the controller is further programmed to control operation of the motor to limit the amount of force applied by the belt during compressions to a force in the range of about 50 pounds to about 650 pounds.

30. A method of measuring the amount of travel of a chest compression belt during chest compressions, said method comprising the steps of:

providing a system for performing chest compressions, said system comprising;

a chest compression device comprising;

a compression belt suitable for compressing the chest of a patient;

a means for tightening the compression belt operably connected to the compression belt;

an encoder operably connected to the chest compression device, said encoder comprising;

an encoder scale disposed on a component of the compression device;

a scanner capable of reading the encoder scale and generating a signal corresponding the movement of the encoder scale;

a controller operably connected to the encoder and to the chest compression device;

wherein the controller is programmed to receive the signal and determine, based on the signal, the amount of travel of the compression belt;

repetitively tightening the compression belt with the means for tightening the compression belt;

reading the encoder scale with the scanner while tightening the belt, said scanner producing a signal corresponding to the movement of the encoder scale; and

determining, with the controller and based on the signal, the amount of travel of the compression belt while tightening the belt.

31. The method of claim 30 wherein:

the step of providing a system further comprises providing the controller with programming to determine, based on the signal, the distance the chest of the patient is compressed; and

the method further comprises the further step of determining, based on the signal, the distance the chest of the patient is compressed.

32. A method of setting a pre-tension position of a compression belt, said pre-tension position being the position of the compression belt just before beginning each compression, said method comprising the steps of:

providing a system for performing chest compressions, said system comprising;

a chest compression device comprising;

a compression belt suitable for compressing the chest of a patient;

a means for tightening the compression belt operably connected to the compression belt;

an encoder operably connected to the chest compression device, said encoder comprising;

an encoder scale disposed on a component of the compression device;

a scanner capable of reading the encoder scale and generating a signal corresponding the movement of the encoder scale;

a controller operably connected to the encoder and to the chest compression device;

wherein the controller is programmed to receive the signal and determine, based on the signal, the velocity at which the compression belt travels;

operating the means for tightening the belt to initiate tightening of the compression belt;

reading the encoder scale with the scanner while tightening the belt, said scanner producing a signal corresponding to the movement of the encoder scale;

determining, with the controller and based on the signal, the velocity at which the compression belt travels; and

setting the pre-tension position of the compression belt when the velocity at which the compression belt travels falls below a pre-determined value.

33. A method of setting a take-up limit for a compression belt, wherein the take-up limit corresponds to the amount of compression belt take-up needed to compress the chest of a patient by a predetermined amount, said patient having an initially unknown chest size, said method comprising the steps of:

providing a system for performing chest compressions, said system comprising;

a chest compression device comprising;

a compression belt suitable for compressing the chest of a patient;

a means for tightening the compression belt operably connected to the compression belt;

an encoder operably connected to the chest compression device, said encoder comprising;

an encoder scale disposed on a component of the compression device;

a scanner capable of reading the encoder scale and generating a signal corresponding the movement of the encoder scale;

a controller operably connected to the encoder and to the chest compression device;

wherein the controller is programmed to receive the signal and determine, based on the signal, the amount of travel of the compression belt;

wherein the controller is further programmed to receive the signal and determine, based on the signal, the velocity at which the compression belt travels;

wherein the controller is further programmed to receive the signal and determine, based on the signal, the distance the chest of the patient is compressed;

wherein the controller is further programmed to determine the size of a patient and a take-up limit of the compression belt based on a pre-determined set of pre-tension positions of the compression belt that are provided to the controller;

operating the means for tightening the belt to initiate tightening of the compression belt;

reading the encoder scale with the scanner while tightening the belt, said scanner producing a signal corresponding to the movement of the encoder scale;

determining, with the controller and based on the signal, the velocity at which the compression belt travels; and

setting, with the controller, a measured pre-tension position of the compression belt when the velocity at which the compression belt travels falls below a pre-determined value;

determining, with the controller, the chest size of the patient by selecting the particular pre-determined chest size that corresponds to the pre-determined pre-tension position that most closely matches the measured pre-tension position of the compression belt; and

setting the take-up limit of the compression belt based on the chest size of the patient.

34. A method of setting a pre-tension position of a compression belt, said pre-tension position being the position of the compression belt just before beginning each compression, said method comprising the steps of:

providing a chest compression device comprising;

a compression belt operably connected to a means for repeatedly tightening the compression belt about the chest of a patient;

an encoder scale disposed on the compression belt;

a scanner disposed such that the scanner can read the encoder scale, wherein the scanner is capable of reading the encoder scale and generating a signal corresponding the movement of the encoder scale;

wherein the scanner is capable of producing a velocity signal, based upon a scan of the encoder scale, corresponding to the velocity at which the belt travels;

a means for measuring force operably connected to the compression belt, said means for measuring force capable of producing a force signal corresponding to the force applied to the compression belt;

a controller for receiving the velocity signal and the force signal, wherein the controller is programmed to control the operation of the means for repeatedly tightening the belt based on the velocity signal and the force signal;

reading the encoder scale with the scanner as the compression belt travels during compressions, said scanner producing a velocity signal corresponding to the velocity at which the belt travels;

measuring, with the means for measuring force, the force applied to the belt during compressions, said means for measuring force producing a force signal corresponding to the force applied to the belt during compressions;

setting the pre-tension position of the compression belt based on at least one signal selected from the group consisting of the velocity signal and the force signal.

35. The method of claim 34 wherein the step of setting the pretension position of the compression belt comprises setting the pre-tension position of the belt when the velocity signal falls below a predetermined value.

36. The method of claim 34 wherein the step of setting the pretension position of the compression belt comprises setting the pre-tension position of the belt when the force signal corresponds to a force in the range of about 0.5 pounds to about 50 pounds.

37. The method of claim 34 wherein the step of setting the pretension position of the compression belt comprises setting the pre-tension position of the belt when the velocity signal falls below a predetermined value and the force signal corresponds to a force in the range of about 0.5 pounds to about 50 pounds.

38. A method of limiting the maximum travel of a compression belt during chest compressions, said method comprising the steps of:

providing a chest compression device comprising;

a belt adapted to extend at least partially around the chest of the patient, said belt characterized by a paid-out portion and a spooled portion, and said belt having a length;

an encoder scale disposed on the belt;

a scanner disposed such that the scanner can read the encoder scale, wherein the scanner is capable of reading the encoder scale and generating a signal corresponding the movement of the encoder scale;

a spool operably connected to the belt, said spool operable to wind and unwind the belt upon the spool, thereby affecting the lengths of the spooled and paid-out portions of the belt;

a motor operably connected to the spool, said motor operable to rotate the spool and to tighten the belt about the chest of the patient;

a controller operably connected to the motor, said controller capable of controlling the operation of the motor;

a means for measuring force operably connected to the compression belt, said means for measuring force capable of measuring the force applied to the compression belt during compressions and capable of producing a force signal corresponding to the amount of force applied to the compression belt;

wherein the controller is programmed to control the operation of the motor in response to the force signal;

wherein the scanner is capable of producing, based upon a scan of the encoder scale, a movement signal corresponding to the movement of the compression belt;

wherein the controller is programmed to determine, based on the movement signal, a distance signal corresponding to the amount of belt travel and a velocity signal corresponding to the velocity at which the belt travels;

wherein the controller is further programmed to control the operation of the motor in response to the distance signal and the velocity signal;

wherein the controller is further programmed to determine the size of a patient and a take-up limit of the compression belt based on a pre-determined set of pre-tension positions of the compression belt that are provided to the controller;

operating the motor to initiate rotation of the spool and tightening of the belt;

reading the encoder scale with the scanner as the belt travels, said scanner producing the movement signal;

determining, with the controller and based on the movement signal, the distance signal and the velocity signal;

measuring the force applied to the belt during compressions with the means for measuring force, said means for measuring force producing the force signal;

setting a measured pre-tension position of the compression belt when the velocity signal falls below a predetermined value and the force signal corresponds to a force in the range of about 0.5 pounds to about 50 pounds, wherein a pre-tension position comprises the position of the compression belt just before beginning each compression;

determining, with the controller, the chest size of the patient by selecting the particular pre-determined chest size that corresponds to the pre-determined pre-tension position that most closely matches the measured pre-tension position of the compression belt; and

operating the controller, based on the chest size of the patient, to control the motor and the spool to limit the maximum travel of the compression belt to a pre-determined amount of belt travel.

39. The method of claim 38 comprising the further step of operating the motor and the spool with the controller to further limit the maximum travel of the compression belt to a point corresponding to when the force signal equals a pre-determined value.

40. The method of claim 39 wherein the pre-determined value of the force signal corresponds to a force in the range of about 50 pounds to about 650 pounds.