Resuscitation device having a motor driven belt to constrict/compress the chest

• US 6,142,962 A
• Filed: 08/27/1997
• Issued: 11/07/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 08/27/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Zoll Circulation Incorporated (Asahi Kasei Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Emergency Medical Systems, Inc.
• Inventors: Miner, Cameron, Mollenauer, Kenneth H., Sherman, Darren R., Bystrom, Steven R.
• Primary Examiner(s): DeMille, Danton D.
• Application Number:
  US08/922,723
• Time in Patent Office: 1,168 Days
• Field of Search: 601/1, 601/41-44, 601/134, 601/135, 601/89, 601/93, 601/97, 601/101, 601/105-107, 601/143, 601/144
• US Class Current: 601/41
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2031/003 with alternated thorax decompression due to lateral compression
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/018 By limiting the applied torque or force
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5007 computer controlled
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/501 connected to external computer devices or networks
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5012 using the internet
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5043 Displays
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5089 Gas sensors, e.g. for oxygen or CO2
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5097 wireless
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2230/04 Heartbeat characteristics, e.g. E.G.C., blood pressure modulation
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2230/207 partial O2-value
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 31/005 with feedback for the user
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/39044 in combination with cardiopulmonary resuscitation [CPR] therapy
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 601/06 Artificial respiration conforming to shape of torso
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 601/08 Artificial respiration with computer control
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 601/20 Flexible membrane caused to be moved

Abstract

A resuscitation device for automatic compression of victim'"'"'s chest using a compression belt which exerts force evenly over the entire thoracic cavity. The belt is constricted and relaxed through a motorized spool assembly which repeatedly tightens the belt and relaxes the belt to provide repeated and rapid chest compression. An assembly includes various resuscitation devices including chest compression devices, defibrillation devices, and airway management devices, along with communications devices and senses with initiate communications with emergency medical personnel automatically upon use of the device.

Claims

1. A chest compression device comprising;

a belt which is adapted to extend at least partially around the chest of a human;

a rotating member operatively connected to the belt to constrict the belt about the chest;

an electric motor for rotating the rotating member;

a clutch for operatively connecting the motor to the rotating member;

a controller for repeatedly engaging and disengaging the clutch;

a torque sensor operatively connected to the motor to sense the torque applied by the motor;

wherein the controller is capable of disengaging the clutch when the torque sensed by the torque sensor reaches a specified limit.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the torque sensor is a current sensor which senses current supplied to the electric motor.

3. The chest compression device of claim 1 further comprising:

a biological parameter sensor for sensing a biological parameter of the human and transmitting a corresponding signal to the controller; and

wherein the controller is capable of adjusting the torque at which the clutch disengages based upon the signal corresponding to the sensed biological parameter.

4. The chest compression device of claim 3 wherein:

the biological parameter sensor is an end-tidal CO₂ sensor which senses CO₂ in the human'"'"'s exhalant which transmits a signal corresponding to the level of CO₂ in the exhalant to the controller.

5. The chest compression device of claim 3 wherein:

the biological parameter sensor is a blood oxygen sensor which senses the level of blood oxygen in the human'"'"'s blood and which transmits a signal corresponding to the level of blood oxygen to the controller.

6. A chest compression device comprising:

a belt which is adapted to extend at least partially around the chest of a human;

a rotating spool connected to the belt whereby rotation of the spool takes up the belt to pull the belt tightly about the chest;

an electric motor for rotating the rotating spool;

a clutch for operatively connecting the motor to the rotating spool;

a controller for repeatedly engaging and disengaging the clutch;

a torque sensor operatively connected to the motor to sense the torque applied by the motor; and

wherein the controller is capable of disengaging the clutch when the torque sensed by the torque sensor reaches a specified limit.