Corrective voice prompts for caregiving device

• US 20050251214A1
• Filed: 09/28/2004
• Published: 11/10/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 05/07/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Zoll Medical Corporation (Asahi Kasei Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Zoll Medical Corporation (Asahi Kasei Corporation)
• Inventors: Parascandola, Michael, Freeman, Gary A., Cordaro, Marc, Crowell, Suzanne
• Granted Patent: US 7,729,757 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/5
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2505/01 Emergency care
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/361 Detecting fibrillation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4848 Monitoring or testing the effects of treatment, e.g. of medication
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 13/1215 with patient airway positioning devices guiding means for tracheal tubes A61M16/0488
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/07 for the head or torso, e.g. special back-rests pillows in general A47G9/10
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/1604 Head
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/1607 Holding means therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/1609 Neck
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/1611 Holding means therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/1614 Shoulder, e.g. for neck stretching
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/1616 Holding means therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5058 Sensors or detectors
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5061 Force sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5092 Optical sensor
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2230/065 used as a control parameter for the apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2230/405 used as a control parameter for the apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 31/004 Heart stimulation
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 31/005 with feedback for the user
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3625 External stimulators
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3968 Constructional arrangements, e.g. casings A61N1/375 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3987 : characterised by the timing or triggering of the shock
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3993 : User interfaces for automatic external defibrillators
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 23/288 : for artificial respiration or heart massage
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 5/06 : with both visual and audible presentation of the material to be studied
• CPC Class Codes: G16Z 99/00 : Subject matter not provided for in other main groups of this subclass

Abstract

A medical device such as a defibrillator that incorporates corrective voice prompts that navigate users around operator errors. The voice prompts may, for example, address errors of readiness (e.g., failing to connect the defibrillator to an AC power source, failing to pre-connect electrodes, etc.), errors of omission (i.e., forgetting to do something, such as attempting to deliver a shock before the defibrillator is charged), and errors of commission (i.e., doing the wrong thing, such as attempting to shock VF when in the synchronization mode). The voice prompts may address errors in the delivery of therapy (e.g., attempting to shock VF when in the synchronization mode) or they may address errors other than in the delivery of therapy (e.g., failing to connect to an AC power source).

Claims

1. A medical device of the type used for assisting a user in delivering therapy to a patient, the device comprising

a user interface including a speaker configured to deliver voice prompts to a user to assist the user in operating the device;

at least one sensor or circuit element configured to detect an error made by the user in operating the device;

a memory in which a plurality of different voice prompts are stored;

a processor configured to determine which of the different voice prompts should be selected for delivery based on the detected error; and

circuitry configured to work with the memory and the user interface and speaker to deliver the selected voice prompt.

2. The device of claim 1 further comprising a defibrillator.

3. The device of claim 2 wherein the selected voice prompts address errors in the delivery of therapy.

4. The device of claim 2 wherein selected voice prompts address errors other than errors in the delivery of therapy.

5. The device of claim 3 wherein the voice prompts comprise a prompt to correct the user'"'"'s error in failing to select the defibrillation mode.

6. The device of claim 3 wherein the voice prompts comprise a prompt to correct the user'"'"'s error in selecting synchronized delivery of electrical stimulation during a cardiac arrest situation.

7. The device of claim 4 wherein the voice prompts comprise a prompt to correct the user'"'"'s error in failing to charge the defibrillator'"'"'s battery.

8. The device of claim 4 wherein the voice prompts comprise delivering a prompt to correct the operator'"'"'s failure to connect the device to AC power.

9. The device of claim 4 wherein the voice prompts comprise a prompt to correct operator errors associated with the storage, management, deletion, transmission, or correction of information.

10. The device of claim 9 wherein the voice prompts comprise a prompt to correct operator errors associated with the use of removable forms of media.

11. The device of claim 9 wherein the voice prompts comprise a prompt to correct operator errors associated with the use of wired or wireless transmission of data.

12. The device of claim 4 wherein the voice prompts comprise a prompt to correct operator errors associated with recording, displaying, storing, or printing of electrocardiographic (ECG) data.

13. The device of claim 11 wherein the voice prompts comprise a prompt to correct operator errors related to analysis of electrocardiographic (ECG) data.

14. The device of claim 1 wherein the voice prompts comprise a prompt to correct operator errors associated with vital signs monitoring.

15. The device of claim 14 wherein the vital signs monitoring comprises one or more of the following:

heart rate, temperature, blood pressure (non-invasive and invasive), pulse oximetry, end tidal CO2, respiration, blood gases, CO, or blood chemistries.

16. The device of claim 15 wherein the voice prompts comprise a prompt relating to errors in calibration, sensor replacement, environmental issues (i.e. high ambient lighting), or cable placement.

17. The device of claim 1 wherein the voice prompts comprise a prompt to correct operator errors associated with transcutaneous pacing.

18. The device of claim 17 wherein the voice prompts comprise a prompt relating to increasing or decreasing pacing rate.