Automatic External Defibrillator for Adult and Pediatric Patients

• US 20090254136A1
• Filed: 12/14/2005
• Published: 10/08/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 12/20/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Original Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Inventors: Powers, Daniel J.
• Granted Patent: US 9,079,044 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/5
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3912 Output circuitry therefor, e.g. switches
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3925 Monitoring; Protecting
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3968 Constructional arrangements, e.g. casings A61N1/375 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3993 User interfaces for automatic external defibrillators

Abstract

An AED unit which is operable to selectively execute either an adult rescue protocol or a pediatric rescue protocol is causes to execute the pediatric rescue protocol by inserting a key-like device into a slot of the AED unit. A sensor inside the case of the AED unit senses the presence of the device in the slot and responds by executing the pediatric rescue protocol. In an illustrated embodiment the AED unit includes a lighting mechanism which is used to light an illustration showing the proper placement of electrode pads on an adult patient. The key-like device includes an illustration showing the proper placement of electrode pads on a pediatric patient which obscures the adult illustration when the device is inserted in the AED unit. The key-like device is configured to make use of the same AED unit lighting mechanism to light the pediatric pad placement illustration.

Claims

1. An AED system for use with either adult or pediatric patients comprising:

an AED unit including circuitry for delivering a defibrillating shock, the AED unit including a receptacle and being selectively operable for executing an adult rescue protocol or a pediatric rescue protocol;

an electrode pad which is removably connected to the AED unit; and

a device separate from the AED unit which, when connected to the AED unit receptacle, causes the AED unit to execute the pediatric rescue protocol.

2. The AED system of claim 1, wherein the receptacle comprises an aperture in the AED unit,

wherein the separate device is insertable into the aperture.

3. The AED system of claim 2, wherein the aperture is sealed off from the interior of the AED unit which contains the circuitry for delivering a defibrillating shock.

4. The AED system of claim 3, wherein the AED unit further includes a sensor located proximate the aperture for sensing the presence of the separate device in the aperture.

5. The AED system of claim 1, wherein the pediatric rescue protocol includes placing an electrode pad on a pediatric patient and delivering a defibrillating shock at a level appropriate for a pediatric patient.

6. The AED system of claim 5, wherein the pediatric rescue protocol further includes analyzing a pediatric ECG signal.

7. The AED system of claim 5, wherein the pediatric rescue protocol further includes audible instructions for defibrillating a pediatric patient.

8. The AED system of claim 1, wherein the electrode pad comprises a pediatric electrode pad set;

wherein the receptacle comprises an AED connector for the pediatric electrode pad set; and

wherein the separate device comprises the electrode pad connector of the pediatric electrode pad set.

9. The AED system of claim 1, wherein the separate device further comprises an indicator of the placement of the of the electrode pad on a pediatric patient.

10. The AED system of claim 9, wherein the AED unit includes an indicator of the placement of an electrode pad on an adult patient,

wherein the indicator of the placement of an electrode pad on an adult patient is replaced with the indicator of the placement of the electrode pad on a pediatric patient when the separate device is connected to the receptacle.

11. The AED system of claim 10, wherein the indicator of the placement of an electrode pad on an adult patient includes a lighted indicator,

wherein the indicator of the placement of the electrode pad on a pediatric patient utilizes the lighted indicator.

12. A method for selectively operating an AED unit which is operable by execution of an adult rescue protocol or a pediatric rescue protocol as a pediatric AED system comprising:

connecting a separate device to the AED unit;

sensing the connection of the device to the AED unit; and

responding to the sensing of the connection of the device by executing the pediatric rescue protocol.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the AED unit includes an aperture;

wherein connecting a device to the AED unit comprises inserting a pedi-key into the aperture; and

wherein sensing comprises sensing the presence of the pedi-key in the aperture.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein executing the pediatric rescue protocol includes:

directing the attachment of an electrode pad to a pediatric patient; and

applying a shock energy appropriate for a pediatric patient.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein executing the pediatric rescue protocol further includes analyzing a pediatric ECG signal.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein directing the attachment of an electrode pad comprises audibly instructing a rescuer in the attachment of an electrode pad to a pediatric patient.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein executing the pediatric rescue protocol further includes providing CPR instructions for a pediatric patient.

18. The method of claim 12, wherein connecting a pedi-key to the AED unit further comprises providing visual instructions for applying an electrode pad to a pediatric patient.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein connecting a pedi-key to the AED unit further comprises obscuring visual instructions for applying an electrode pad to an adult patient.

20. The method of claim wherein connecting a pedi-key to the AED unit comprises inserting the connector of a pediatric electrode pad into a connector of the AED unit.