PROVIDING LIFE SUPPORT

• US 20140121717A1
• Filed: 01/08/2014
• Published: 05/01/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 06/29/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Zoll Medical Corporation (Asahi Kasei Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Zoll Medical Corporation (Asahi Kasei Corporation)
• Inventors: Geheb, Frederick J.
• Granted Patent: US 9,381,373 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/4
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0245 by using sensing means generating electric signals, i.e. ECG signals
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0816 Measuring devices for examining respiratory frequency measuring frequency of electric signals G01R23/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/318 Heart-related electrical modalities, e.g. electrocardiography [ECG]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/339 Displays specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4836 Diagnosis combined with treatment in closed-loop systems or methods A61B5/0036 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6803 Head-worn items, e.g. helmets, masks, headphones or goggles
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6804 Garments; Clothes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/046 Specially adapted for shock therapy, e.g. defibrillation
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0484 Garment electrodes worn by the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3625 External stimulators
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3904 External heart defibrillators [EHD]
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3925 Monitoring; Protecting
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3937 Monitoring output parameters
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3987 characterised by the timing or triggering of the shock

Abstract

Systems and methods of providing life support are provided. A life support system includes a first life support device that has a control unit and is configured to apply a life support protocol to a subject. The first life support device also includes a memory unit that can store life support protocol information, and the control unit can provide the life support protocol information to a second life support device. The control unit can also receive operating instructions from the second life support device based on the life support protocol information, and can implement the operating instructions.

Claims

1. A life support device having a first mode of operation in which the life support device is operated as a stand-alone device which delivers a first life support protocol to a subject under control of a control unit of the life support device, the life support device having second mode of operation in which the life support device is operated under control of a second life support device distinct from the life support device.

2. The life support device of claim 1, configured to record information regarding one of the subject and the first life support protocol and to communicate the information to the second life support device.

3. The life support device of claim 2, wherein the life support device is configured to wirelessly detect a presence of the second life support device, and to communicate the information to the second life support device responsive to detection of the presence of the second life support device.

4. The life support device of claim 2, configured to receive and implement operating instructions from the second life support device which are determined by the second life support device in response to an analysis, performed by the second life support device, of the information regarding one of the subject and the first life support protocol.

5. The life support device of claim 1, wherein the first life support protocol is automatically determined by the life support device and parameters of the first life support protocol are not adjustable by a user when the life support device is operated in the first mode of operation.

6. The life support device of claim 5, wherein parameters of the first life support protocol are adjustable by the user when the life support device is operated in the second mode of operation.

7. The life support device of claim 1, including at least one therapy electrode configured to administer the first life support protocol to the subject.

8. The life support device of claim 1, wherein the life support device is capable of performing a life support protocol when operated in the second mode of to operation that the life support device is incapable of performing when operated as a stand-alone device.

9. The life support device of claim 1, wherein the life support device is a wearable device associated with at least one garment configured to be worn by the subject.

10. The life support device of claim 1, wherein the life support device includes a defibrillation unit and the first life support protocol includes defibrillation therapy.

11. The life support device of claim 1, configured to communicate information regarding treatment capabilities of the life support device to the second life support device.

12. The life support device of claim 1, configured to communicate information regarding identification information of the life support device to the second life support device.

13. A method of providing life support, the method comprising:

operating a first life support device as a stand-alone device to deliver a first life support protocol to a subject under control of a controller of the life support device;

recording information regarding one of the subject and the first life support protocol in a memory of the first life support device;

establishing a communications link between the first life support device and a second life support device distinct from the first life support device;

communicating the information from the first life support device to the second life support device over the communications link;

transmitting operating instructions from the second life support device to the first life support device over the communications link responsive to communicating the information from the first life support device to the second life support device; and

modifying the first life support protocol delivered by the first life support device responsive to the first life support device receiving the operating instructions from the second life support device.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the first life support protocol includes one of defibrillation therapy and cardiac pacing therapy.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising automatically determining the first life support protocol utilizing a control unit of the first life support device.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising administering the first life support protocol to the subject with at least one electrode of the first life support device.

17. The method of claim 13, wherein the second life support device determines the operating instructions responsive to an analysis, by the second life support device, of the information communicated from the first life support device.

18. The method of claim 13, wherein the communications link between the first life support device and a second life support device is automatically established responsive to the first life support device wirelessly detecting a presence of the second life support device.

19. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

communicating information about monitoring and treatment capabilities of the first life support device to the second life support device;

determining, by the second life support device, if the first life support device is capable of providing a necessary treatment to the subject; and

providing instructions to decouple the first life support device from the subject and to couple the second life support device to the subject responsive to a determination by the second life support device that the first life support device is incapable of providing the necessary treatment to the subject.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the information about the monitoring and treatment capabilities of the first life support device are determined by the second life support device from identifying information of the first life support device communicated from the first life support device to the second life support device.