Interactive portable defibrillator including ECG detection circuit
First Claim
1. A device for monitoring the electrical activity of a patient'"'"'s heart, comprising:
- sensor means including a pair of electrodes attachable to a patient, ECG detection means connectable to the electrodes for producing an electrocardiogram signal, and motion detection means connectable to the electrodes, the motion detection means comprising means for sensing the impedance between the electrodes and for producing a motion signal indicative of the degree of variation of said impedance over time, including variation not synchronized with the electrocardiogram signal; and
processing means including means for analyzing the electrocardiogram signal to detect an abnormal heart rhythm, and means for producing an indication that the electrocardiogram signal may be invalid if the motion signal indicates excessive motion on the part of the patient.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A portable, interactive medical electronic device exemplified by a defibrillator. The device obtains information about a patient'"'"'s condition, such as ECG and transthoracic impedance data, directly from the patient, and information pertinent to the treatment of the patient indirectly through an operator of the device, and produces a medically appropriate action such as a defibrillation shock in response. Indirect information is obtained through information processing means that includes means for prompting the operator of the device and means for receiving the operator'"'"'s responses thereto. Prompts may include both questions and instructions, and in one embodiment the information processing means obtains the assent of the operator before causing the defibrillation shock. Indirect information may include information as to whether the patient is conscious, and as to whether or not cardiopulmonary resuscitation has been performed. The ECG and transthoracic impedance data may be collected through a common pair of electrodes. In one embodiment the device produces an indication that the ECG data is invalid if the transthoracic impedance data indicates excessive motion on the part of the patient. When a defibrillation shock is determined to be medically appropriate, a control signal is produced that causes the charging of an energy storage means and the subsequent discharging of such energy storage means through the patient without further operator intervention. The device also includes a tape recorder for allowing later analysis of the use of the device, and means for holding the tape recorder drive means in a disengaged position until the device is opened for use. The device also includes testing means for enabling a person to test the condition of the device without opening the case in which it is enclosed, means for producing and recording a distinctive sound when and if a defibrillation pulse is delivered, and means for allowing the electrodes to be quickly disconnected so that emergency personnel can conveniently use the electrodes with their own equipment.
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Citations
10 Claims
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1. A device for monitoring the electrical activity of a patient'"'"'s heart, comprising:
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sensor means including a pair of electrodes attachable to a patient, ECG detection means connectable to the electrodes for producing an electrocardiogram signal, and motion detection means connectable to the electrodes, the motion detection means comprising means for sensing the impedance between the electrodes and for producing a motion signal indicative of the degree of variation of said impedance over time, including variation not synchronized with the electrocardiogram signal; and processing means including means for analyzing the electrocardiogram signal to detect an abnormal heart rhythm, and means for producing an indication that the electrocardiogram signal may be invalid if the motion signal indicates excessive motion on the part of the patient. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. A defibrillator comprising:
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sensor means including electrodes attachable to a patient, ECG detection means connectable to the electrodes for producing an electrocardiogram signal, and motion detection means connectable to the electrodes, the motion detection means comprising means for sensing the impedance between the electrodes and for producing a motion signal indicative of the degree of variation of said impedance over time, including variation not synchronized with the electrocardiogram signal; control means for producing a control signal, the control means comprising means for analyzing the motion signal to detect excessive patient motion, and means for preventing the production of the control signal when excessive patient motion is detected; and
,output means responsive to the presence of the control signal for applying a defibrillation pulse to a patient. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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Specification