Method and apparatus for defibrillating patients of all ages
First Claim
1. A method comprising the steps of:
- coupling a patient to an AED via a pair of identical universal electrodes suitable for use upon both adults and children which have a total area smaller than conventional adult electrodes and larger than conventional pediatric electrodes for delivering the energy level produced by the AED to a patient;
identifying to the AED whether the patient is an adult or a child by operator setting of an operator adjustable adult/pediatric mode indicator;
electronically determining whether the patient requires defibrillation;
producing in the AED an energy level appropriate for an adult in the event that the patient is identified as an adult;
delivering a first electrical waveform via the universal electrodes which is characterized by the energy level appropriate for an adult in the event that the patient is an adult;
producing in the AED an energy level appropriate for a child in the event that the patient is identified as a child; and
delivering a second electrical waveform via the universal electrodes which is characterized by the energy level appropriate for a child in the event that the patient is a child.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A defibrillation system for patients of all ages may include an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) coupled to a set of universal electrodes. Universal electrodes may be reduced-size versions of adult electrodes, and may include an opening to lower effective impedance. The AED may include an adult/pediatric mode control or switch. Based upon the setting of the adult/pediatric switch, the AED may perform an adult defibrillation sequence or a pediatric defibrillation sequence. An adult defibrillation sequence may comprise delivery of one or more waveforms or shocks characterized by energies appropriate for adults, for example, 150 Joule biphasic waveforms. A pediatric defibrillation sequence may comprise delivery of one or more waveforms characterized by energies appropriate for children, for example, 50 Joule biphasic waveforms. Another pediatric defibrillation sequence may comprise delivery of an escalating low-energy shock sequence to a patient, such as a 25 to 50 Joule shock, followed by a 65 to 75 Joule shock as necessary, followed by one or more 100 Joule shocks as necessary.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A method comprising the steps of:
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coupling a patient to an AED via a pair of identical universal electrodes suitable for use upon both adults and children which have a total area smaller than conventional adult electrodes and larger than conventional pediatric electrodes for delivering the energy level produced by the AED to a patient; identifying to the AED whether the patient is an adult or a child by operator setting of an operator adjustable adult/pediatric mode indicator; electronically determining whether the patient requires defibrillation; producing in the AED an energy level appropriate for an adult in the event that the patient is identified as an adult; delivering a first electrical waveform via the universal electrodes which is characterized by the energy level appropriate for an adult in the event that the patient is an adult; producing in the AED an energy level appropriate for a child in the event that the patient is identified as a child; and delivering a second electrical waveform via the universal electrodes which is characterized by the energy level appropriate for a child in the event that the patient is a child. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification