Modular medical device, base unit and module thereof, and automated external defibrillator (AED), methods for assembling and using the AED
First Claim
1. A modular defibrillator comprising:
- a base unit including a battery and a base unit enclosure, the base unit enclosure containing a power management circuit, a heart rhythm analysis circuit, a shock generating circuit, and a module interface circuit, the base unit enclosure further including a first module connector and a base unit enclosure surface proximate the first module connector for engaging a module; and
a replaceable pad cartridge module including a second module connector for engaging the first module connector and providing electrical communication between the base unit and the module; and
an enclosure containing electrode pads connected to the second module connector and having a surface proximate the second module connector for engaging a base unit enclosure.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A modular automated external defibrillator (AED) system includes a base unit and at least one interconnected module. The base unit typically includes a functional circuit and includes an interface that couples the functional circuit to the module. Likewise, the module includes an interface that couples the module to the base unit By manufacturing such modular AED models instead of one-piece, i.e., integrated, AED models, a manufacturer can reduce the cost and complexity of its manufacturing process. Furthermore, the manufacturer may be able to bring such a modular AED to market more quickly than it could bring an integrated model of the AED to market. Moreover, a modular AED allows the manufacturer and customer flexibility in respectively providing and selecting feature sets. In addition, a customer can obtain replacements for broken modules, and the manufacturer can provide cheaper upgrades by upgrading a module or base unit instead of upgrading the entire AED.
21 Citations
18 Claims
-
1. A modular defibrillator comprising:
a base unit including a battery and a base unit enclosure, the base unit enclosure containing a power management circuit, a heart rhythm analysis circuit, a shock generating circuit, and a module interface circuit, the base unit enclosure further including a first module connector and a base unit enclosure surface proximate the first module connector for engaging a module; and
a replaceable pad cartridge module including a second module connector for engaging the first module connector and providing electrical communication between the base unit and the module; and
an enclosure containing electrode pads connected to the second module connector and having a surface proximate the second module connector for engaging a base unit enclosure. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
-
15. A modular defibrillator comprising:
a base unit including a battery and a base unit enclosure, the base unit enclosure containing a power management circuit, a heart rhythm analysis circuit, a shock generating circuit, and a module interface circuit, the base unit enclosure further including a first module connector and a base unit enclosure surface proximate the first module connector for engaging a module; and
a display and control module including a second module connector for engaging the first module connector and providing electrical communication between the base unit and the module; and
an enclosure housing a defibrillator display coupled to the second module connector and a control for controlling the display, the enclosure having a surface proximate the second module connector for engaging a base unit enclosure.
-
16. A modular defibrillator comprising:
-
a base unit including a battery and a base unit enclosure, the base unit enclosure containing a power management circuit, a heart rhythm analysis circuit, a shock generating circuit, and a module interface circuit, the base unit enclosure further including a first module connector and a base unit enclosure surface proximate the first module connector for engaging a module; and
a communication module including a second module connector for engaging the first module connector and providing electrical communication between the base unit and the module; and
an enclosure housing circuitry for communicating information from the defibrillator to a remote location by wire or wireless communication, the enclosure having a surface proximate the second module connector for engaging a base unit enclosure.
-
-
17. A modular defibrillator comprising:
-
a base unit including a battery and a base unit enclosure, the base unit enclosure containing a power management circuit, a heart rhythm analysis circuit, a shock generating circuit, and a module interface circuit, the base unit enclosure further including a first module connector and a base unit enclosure surface proximate the first module connector for engaging a module; and
a control module including a second module connector for engaging the first module connector and providing electrical communication between the base unit and the module; and
an enclosure housing a user control for the defibrillator, the user control being coupled to the second module connector, and the enclosure having a surface proximate the second module connector for engaging a base unit enclosure.
-
-
18. A modular defibrillator comprising:
a base unit including a battery and a base unit enclosure, the base unit enclosure containing a power management circuit, a heart rhythm analysis circuit, a shock generating circuit, and a module interface circuit, the base unit enclosure further including first and second module connectors and base unit enclosure surfaces proximate the first and second module connectors for engaging a plurality of modules; and
first and second removable modules each having a module connector for engaging one of the first and second module connectors and each having a module enclosure, each module enclosure having a surface proximate the module connector for engaging the base unit enclosure, wherein the module enclosure houses a functional defibrillator circuit providing one or more of electrode pads, defibrillator data display, communication with an external location, defibrillator control, and defibrillator training.
Specification