Resuscitation and life support system, method and apparatus

• US 20060069326A1
• Filed: 09/26/2005
• Published: 03/30/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/24/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Medtech LLC
• Original Assignee: Roger Lee Heath
• Inventors: Heath, Roger Lee
• Granted Patent: US 7,672,720 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 601/41
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/10 with further special therapeutic means, e.g. electrotherapy, magneto therapy or radiation therapy, chromo therapy, infrared or ultraviolet therapy
• 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 2201/5048 Audio interfaces, e.g. voice or music controlled
• 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 2230/06 Heartbeat rate
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 31/005 with feedback for the user
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 31/006 Power driven
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0051 with alarm devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/024 including calculation means, e.g. using a processor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/1055 bacterial
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/1065 in the expiratory path
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/107 in the inspiratory path
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/22 Carbon dioxide-absorbing devices ; Other means for removing carbon dioxidecartridges with absorbing substances for respiratory apparatus A62B19/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3622 comprising two or more electrodes co-operating with different heart regions
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/39044 in combination with cardiopulmonary resuscitation [CPR] therapy
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/30 relating to physical therapies or activities, e.g. physiotherapy, acupressure or exercising
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/40 relating to mechanical, radiation or invasive therapies, e.g. surgery, laser therapy, dialysis or acupuncture
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 for remote operation

Abstract

A method of applying electrotherapy to the heart of a patient includes positioning electrodes in communication with the heart of the patient; monitoring the patient'"'"'s heart to determine if its fibrillating; and providing a first signal with a current generator to the heart through the electrodes in response to an indication that the heart is fibrillating. The first stimulus signal reduces the amount of fibrillation.

Claims

1. A method of applying electrotherapy to the heart of a patient, comprising:

positioning electrodes in communication with the heart of the patient;

monitoring the patient'"'"'s heart to determine if its fibrillating;

providing a first stimulus signal with a controlled current generator to the heart through the electrodes in response to an indication that the heart is fibrillating, the first stimulus signal reducing the amount of fibrillation.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first stimulus signal includes a defibrillation stimulus signal or an over-drive pacing stimulus signal.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the first amount of time is proportional to a refractory period of the patient'"'"'s heart.

4. The method of claim 1, further including:

waiting a first amount of time;

monitoring the patient'"'"'s heart after the first amount of time to determine if its fibrillating; and

providing a second stimulus signal to the heart through the electrodes in response to an indication that the heart is fibrillating after the first amount of time, the second stimulus signal reducing the amount of fibrillation.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the second stimulus signal includes a defibrillation signal or an over-drive pacing signal.

6. The method of claim 1, further including:

waiting a first amount of time;

monitoring the patient'"'"'s heart after the first amount of time to determine if its fibrillating; and

providing a pacing stimulus signal to the heart through the electrodes after the first amount of time in response to an indication that the heart is not fibrillating.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the first stimulus signal is a defibrillation signal with a voltage amplitude between about 50 volts and 900 volts, a current amplitude between about 50 milliamps and 300 milliamps, and a duration between about 0.04 seconds and 10 seconds.

8. The method of claim 1, further including providing oxygen to the heart before providing the first signal.

9. The method of claim 1, further including ventilating the patient before providing the first signal.

10. The method of claim 1, further including providing a second signal with the current generator to the heart through the electrodes in response to an indication that a heart rate of the heart is below a predetermined value.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the first signal includes a monophasic, biphasic, triphasic, and/or multiphasic waveform.

13. The system of claim 11, further including a power source coupled to the contact.

14. The system of claim 11, further including an audio system for providing audio sounds from the patient.

15. The system of claim 11, wherein the chemical is ionized in response to the potential difference between the contact and electrode(s).

16. The system of claim 11, wherein the ventilator houses at least one of the chemical source and the contact.

12. A system, comprising:

a ventilator in communication with the lungs of a patient;

a chemical source in communication with the lungs of the patient through the ventilator;

a contact positioned proximate to the chemical source; and

a defibrillator for providing electrotherapy to the heart of the patient through electrodes, a flow of a chemical from the chemical source being adjustable in response to an electrical potential difference provided between at least one of the electrodes and the contact.

17. A system for providing life support to a patient, comprising:

a defibrillator for providing circulatory resuscitation to the patient; and

a ventilator for providing respiratory resuscitation to the patient and/or a first communication system for flowing a signal between it and a second communication system.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein at least two of the defibrillator, ventilator, and first communication system are moveable between attached and detached positions.

19. The system of claim 17, further including a global positioning system for providing the location of the system.

20. The system of claim 17, further including a monitor for monitoring the vital signs of the patient.

21. The system of claim 20, wherein the monitor displays the vital signs of the patient.

22. The system of claim 17, wherein the first communication system includes a phone.

23. The system of claim 17, wherein the first and second communication systems are in communication with each other through a land line and/or a wireless link.

24. The system of claim 17, further including an audio system which provides a sound in response to the location and/or vital signs of the patient.

25. The system of claim 17, wherein the operation of the defibrillator, ventilator, and/or monitor is controllable in response to the signal flowing between the first and second communication systems.

26. The system of claim 17, wherein the protocols are adjustable in response to a signal flowing between the first and second communication system.

27. The system of claim 17, wherein the ventilator provides oxygen to the patient in response to an indication from the defibrillator that the patient is in asystole.