External cardiac compression device

• US 5,257,619 A
• Filed: 10/07/1992
• Issued: 11/02/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 10/07/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Randall L. Everete
• Original Assignee: Randall L. Everete
• Inventors: Everete, Randall L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Apley, Richard J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): CLARK, JEANNE MARIE
• Application Number:
  US07/957,367
• Time in Patent Office: 391 Days
• Field of Search: 128/28, 128/24 R, 128/53, 128/54, 128/44, 128/DIG. 3, 128/30.2, 5/503.1
• US Class Current: 601/41
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 31/007 Manual driven
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 31/008 Supine patient supports or bases, e.g. improving air-way access to the lungs

Abstract

A device for applying manual external cardiac massage by periodic chest compression is designed for use in transport in ambulances, helicopters, etc. It is light in weight, easy to adjust and use without fatigue in confined quarters. A plate beneath the chest holds a vertical arm in position. A horizontal arm is pivotally connected to the vertical arm and has a handle at its free end. Both vertical and horizontal arm lengths are adjustable. A resilient chest pad slidably mounted below the horizontal arm is periodically forced against the chest of a supine patient by up-down operation of the handle. The chest pad may be removed and horizontal arm locked in vertical position to serve as a support for items such as intravenous fluids. The vertical arm may be unlocked and folded down to a storage position and for ease of loading and unloading a patient. In an alternative embodiment, the support plate is replaced by a clamp assembly that clamps the device to a support member of the patient support or stretcher.

Claims

1. A device for applying external cardiac compression to the chest of a supine patient, the device comprising:

A) a base plate means including a first portion adapted for positioning under the chest of a supine patient and for being held in place by the weight of said patient, and a second portion adjacent said first portion for positioning beside the chest of said patient;

B) a short vertical post fixedly connected to, and supported by, said second portion of said base plate means and extending upward therefrom;

C) an elongate tubular member pivotally connected at a first end by a first pivot means to an uppermost end of said vertical post so as to be movable between a vertical, operational position in line with said post and a horizontal, storage position alongside said patient;

D) a vertical extension bar sliding telescopically within said elongate tubular member and adjustably extending beyond a second end of said tubular member and cooperating with a first releasable locking means for releasably securing said vertical extension bar to said tubular member at a selected position;

E) an elongate tubular compression arm pivotally connected at a first end thereof by a second pivot means to an end of said vertical extension bar extending from said tubular member so as to move between a fixed position in line with said extension bar and a movable horizontal position above a patient'"'"'s chest for cardiac compression;

F) a chest pad holder, slidably mounted on said compression arm with a second releasable locking means for releasably securing said pad holder at a continuously adjustable horizontal position along said compression arm selected for enhanced cardiac compression;

G) a resilient chest pad removably attached to said pad holder and extending below said compression arm when said compression arm is horizontal;

H) a horizontal extension rod sliding telescopically within said compression arm and adjustably extending beyond an end of said compression arm away from said second pivot means and cooperating with a third releasable locking means for releasably securing said extension rod to said compression arm at a selected position;

I) handle means mounted at a free end of said extension rod for grasping with an operator'"'"'s hand for up and down motion to be transmitted to said chest pad for periodic chest compression;

J) a locking sleeve means slidably mounted on said elongate tubular member and arranged for sliding over said first pivot means for fixing said tubular member in line with said vertical post to position said tubular member and said extension bar in vertical, operating position, said first locking sleeve means being provided with a sleeve lock to releasably secure said locking sleeve in position on said tubular member; and

K) said chest pad holder arranged for removably sliding over said second pivot means for fixing said compression arm in line with said tubular member in vertical position for use as a support for items.

2. The device according to claim 1, in which said vertical post, said tubular member, said extension bar, said compression arm, and said extension rod have rectangular cross sections.

3. A device for applying external cardiac compression to the chest of a supine patient resting upon a patient support, the patient support having as elongate horizontal supporting member extending alongside the patient, the device comprising:

A) a clamp means for removably clamping to a horizontal supporting member of a patient support;

B) a short vertical post fixedly connected to, and supported by, said clamp means and extending upward therefrom when said clamp means is clamped onto a horizontal supporting member;

C) an elongate tubular member pivotally connected at a first end by a first pivot means to an uppermost end of said vertical post so as to be movable between a vertical, operational position in line with said post and a horizontal, storage position alongside said patient;

D) a vertical extension bar sliding telescopically within said elongate tubular member and adjustably extending beyond a second end of said tubular member and cooperating with a first releasable locking means for releasably securing said vertical extension bar to said tubular member at a selected position;

E) an elongate tubular compression arm pivotally connected at a first end thereof by a second pivot means to an end of said vertical extension bar extending from said tubular member so as to move between a fixed position in line with said extension bar and a movable horizontal position above a patient'"'"'s chest for cardiac compression;

F) a chest pad holder, slidably mounted on said compression arm with a second releasable locking means for releasably securing said pad holder at a continuously adjustable horizontal position along said compression arm selected for enhanced cardiac compression;

G) a resilient chest pad removably attached to said pad holder and extending below said compression arm when said compression arm is horizontal;

H) a horizontal extension rod sliding telescopically within said compression arm and adjustably extending beyond an end of said compression arm away from said second pivot means and cooperating with a third releasable locking means for releasably securing said extension rod to said compression arm at a selected position;

I) handle means mounted at a free end of said extension rod for grasping with an operator'"'"'s hand for up and down motion to be transmitted to said chest pad for periodic chest compression;

J) a locking sleeve means slidably mounted on said elongate tubular member and arranged for sliding over said first pivot means for fixing said tubular member in line with said vertical post to position said tubular member and said extension bar in vertical, operating position, said first locking sleeve means being provided with a sleeve lock to releasably secure said locking sleeve in position on said tubular member; and

K) said chest pad holder arranged for removably sliding over said second pivot means for fixing said compression arm in line with said tubular member in vertical position for use as a support for items.

4. The device according to claim 3, in which said vertical post, said tubular member, said extension bar, said compression arm, and said extension rod have rectangular cross sections.

5. An external cardiac compression device for manual application of periodic compression forces to the chest of a patient lying supine on a patient support, the device comprising:

A) a patient support-engaging means for cooperating with a patient support while a patient is lying thereon to securely support the device in operating position for cardiac compression;

B) a vertical arm having a first end fixed to said support-engaging means and extending upward therefrom;

C) an adjustably extensible, elongate vertical member pivotally connected at one end to a second end of said vertical arm by a first joint means;

D) an adjustably extensible, elongate, compression member pivotally connected at a first end to another end of said vertical member by a second joint means and provided with a handle at a second end;

E) a chest pad holder slidably mounted on said compression member for releasably securing said holder at a continuously adjustable horizontal position along said compression member;

F) a resilient chest pad, removably mounted on said chest pad holder, for applying pressure to a chest when said handle is forced downward;

G) first joint fixing means for removably fixing said first joint with said vertical member vertical and in line with said vertical arm in a first, operating mode for cardiac compression and for providing for moving said vertical member to a horizontal position in a second, storage mode; and

H) second joint fixing means for removably fixing said second joint with said compression member vertical and in line with said vertical member in a support mode for supporting items and for freely moving said compression member while horizontal in a compression mode of operation when said second joint is not fixed.

6. The device according to claim 5, in which said chest pad holder also functions as said second joint fixing means.

7. The device according to claim 6, in which said patient support-engaging means includes a support plate that is held against a patient support by a patient lying thereon to secure the device in position for use.

8. The device according to claim 6, in which said patient support-engaging means includes a clamp means for clamping onto a horizontal support member of a patient support.