GAS-DRIVEN CHEST COMPRESSION APPARATUS

• US 20100004572A1
• Filed: 01/25/2008
• Published: 01/07/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 02/08/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Physio-Control Incorporated (Stryker Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Physio-Control Incorporated (Stryker Corporation)
• Inventors: King, Ben
• Granted Patent: US 8,657,764 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 601/41
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/0173 Means for preventing injuries
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/1238 with hydraulic or pneumatic drive
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5071 Pressure sensors
• 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

Abstract

A gas-driven chest compression apparatus for cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) comprises a flexible pneumatic actuator, capable of axial contraction when fed with a pressurized driving gas, and means for controlling the contraction thereof. Also disclosed are methods of providing chest compressions to a patient by means of a CPR apparatus comprising actuator(s) of this kind, and a corresponding use of the actuator.

Claims

1. A gas-driven chest compression apparatus for cardiopulmonary resuscitation comprising a flexible pneumatic actuator capable of axial contraction when fed with a pressurized driving gas, and a means for controlling the contraction thereof.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the contraction control means is connectable to a supply of pressurized driving gas, in particular of pressurized air, of a constant pressure, such as to a gas cylinder provided with a pressure reduction valve, the contraction control means comprising a valve manifold for adducing driving gas to and for optionally venting it from the actuator, the valve manifold being controlled by a timing module optionally coupled to pressure sensor, and optionally comprising a mechanically operated safety valve.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the actuator comprises a flexible hose body extending between two head pieces of solid material.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein driving gas is vented from the actuator by the head piece through which it has been introduced or by the other head piece.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the driving gas is vented from said other head piece, which is optionally provided with a venting valve controlled by the timing module.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, comprising a back plate at which one or both ends of the actuator are fastened.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein a fastening is releasable.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, comprising an optionally resiliently flexible shielding tube in which a portion of the actuator intermediate between said end pieces is disposed.

9. The apparatus of claim 6, comprising a base plate disposable between the actuator and the chest of a patient resting on the back plate.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the base plate comprises a slot capable of receiving a portion of the actuator.

11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the base plate is resiliently flexible.

12. The apparatus of claim 9, comprising a compression pad mounted at or integral with the base plate at a face thereof opposite to the face facing the actuator in a mounted state.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the compression pad is mounted at the base plate in a manner so as to allow it to be displaced in a direction perpendicular to the base plate and arrested in a desired position.

14. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the actuator comprises a quick coupling for connecting it to a gas conduit, such as a conduit in the base plate or the back plate, or to a driving gas line.

15. The apparatus of claim 1, comprising a second axially contractible flexible pneumatic actuator.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, comprising a base, at which each of the actuators is fastened with their one ends, their other ends being fastened at the back plate.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the base comprises a compression pad mounted at a face thereof facing the back plate.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the compression pad is mounted at the base in a manner so as to allow it to be displaced in a direction perpendicular to the base and arrested in a desired position.

19. The apparatus of claim 15, comprising a resilient hose stretching means mounted at an actuator.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the hose stretching means comprises a spring coil enclosing the hose and mounted with its one end at one head piece and with its other end at the other head piece.

21. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein an actuator comprises a quick coupling for connecting it to a gas conduit in the base or the back plate or to a driving gas line.

22. The apparatus of claim 16, comprising a means for adjusting the position of the base in respect of the back plate.

23. (canceled)

24. A method of providing chest compressions to a patient in need thereof, comprising:

disposing the chest of the patient in a recumbent position on a back plate;

mounting a flexible pneumatic actuator capable of axial contraction when fed with a pressurized driving gas with its ends at opposite sides of the back plate so as to enclose and abut the chest of the patient, optionally disposing a compression plate element between the actuator and the chest to effect said abutment;

intermittently inflating and deflating the actuator.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein the rate of intermittent inflation and deflation is from 60 min⁻

1 to 150 min<sup>−

1</sup>.

26. A method of providing chest compressions to a patient in need thereof, comprising:

disposing the chest of the patient in a recumbent position on a back plate;

disposing a compression base on the chest of the patient above the sternum;

disposing two flexible pneumatic actuators capable of axial contraction when fed with a pressurized driving gas at opposite sides of the patient'"'"'s chest, connecting the base, the actuators, and the back plate so as to enclose the patient'"'"'s chest;

intermittently inflating and deflating the actuators.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein the rate of intermittent inflation and deflation is from 60 min⁻

1 to 150 min<sup>−

1</sup>.