External defibrillator with communications network link

• US 5,782,878 A
• Filed: 01/13/1997
• Issued: 07/21/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 12/07/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
• Original Assignee: Heartstream, Inc. (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Powers, Daniel, Cole, Clinton, Leventhal, Michael J., Morgan, Carlton B., Mydynski, Steven T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kamm, William E.
• Assistant Examiner(s): LAYNO, CARL HERNANDZ
• Application Number:
  US08/783,376
• Time in Patent Office: 554 Days
• Field of Search: 607/5, 128/903, 128/904
• US Class Current: 607/5
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3904 External heart defibrillators [EHD]
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/39044 in combination with cardiopulmonary resuscitation [CPR] therapy
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/903 Radio telemetry
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/904 Telephone telemetry

Abstract

A defibrillator system comprising an external defibrillator, a defibrillator communicator and a communication network. In a preferred embodiment, the defibrillator comprises electrodes, an energy source and a controller, with the controller comprising an ECG signal analyzer and means for local actuation of the defibrillator to deliver an electrical pulse from the energy source to the electrodes. The communication network comprises a communication station, preferably a computer with a modem, and signal carriers, such as telephone lines, so that information can be transmitted from the communicator to the communication station. Likewise, the defibrillator communicator comprises means for automatically transmitting information to the communication station in response to deployment of the defibrillator. In alternative embodiments, additional information (such as patient ECG data and defibrillator operation data) is sent from the communicator to the communication station, and information (such as use instructions) is sent from the communication station to the communicator. The invention also includes a method of operating such a defibrillator system.

Claims

1. In a system comprising an external defibrillator, a defibrillator communicator, a holder for the external defibrillator, and a communication network, a method for operating the defibrillator comprising the following steps:

automatically establishing a communication link between the defibrillator communicator and a station on the communication network in response to removal of the defibrillator from the holder;

applying electrodes to a patient;

monitoring ECG signals from the patient;

analyzing the ECG signals to determine whether to shock the patient; and

locally generating an actuation signal to deliver a shock from the defibrillator to the patient.

2. In a system comprising an external defibrillator, a defibrillator communicator, and a communication network, the external defibrillator comprising a power switch, a method for operating the defibrillator comprising the following steps:

automatically establishing a communication link between the defibrillator communicator and a station on the communication network in response to activation of the power switch;

applying electrodes to a patient;

monitoring ECG signals from the patient;

analyzing the ECG signals to determine whether to shock the patient; and

locally generating an actuation signal to deliver a shock from the defibrillator to the patient.

3. A method of providing CPR instructions to a caregiver comprising the following steps:

deploying a defibrillator, the defibrillator comprising a defibrillator communicator; and

transmitting CPR instructions over a communication network from a station on the communication network to the defibrillator communicator.