System for providing emergency medical care with real-time instructions and associated methods

• US 7,774,060 B2
• Filed: 06/20/2005
• Issued: 08/10/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 12/20/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Axon Medical, Inc., University of Utah Research Foundation (State of Utah)
• Original Assignee: Axon Medical, Inc., University of Utah Research Foundation (State of Utah)
• Inventors: Balakrishnan, Santosh, Kuck, Kai, Snell, Daniel, Lingutla, Srinath, Orr, Joseph A., Westenskow, Dwayne R., Brewer, Lara, Syroid, Noah, Drews, Frank, Agutter, James
• Primary Examiner(s): Bockelman; Mark W
• Assistant Examiner(s): Bertram; Eric D.
• Application Number:
  US11/157,218
• Publication Number:
  US 20060111749A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,877 Days
• Field of Search: 607 3- 8, 601 41- 44, 600/523
• US Class Current: 607/5
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/00 Devices for influencing the respiratory system of patients by gas treatment, e.g. mouth-to-mouth respiration; Tracheal tubes stimulating the respiratory movement by mechanical, pneumatic or electrical means, iron lungs combined with gas breathing means A61H31/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0051 with alarm devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/024 including calculation means, e.g. using a processor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/1055 bacterial
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/106 in a path
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/502 User interfaces, e.g. screens or keyboards
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/581 by audible feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/583 by visual feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/04 Heartbeat characteristics, e.g. ECG, blood pressure modulation
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/205 partial oxygen pressure (P-O2)
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/42 Rate
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/432 partial CO2 pressure (P-CO2)
• 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: A61N 1/3993 User interfaces for automatic external defibrillators
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 19/00 Teaching not covered by other main groups of this subclass teaching or practice apparatus for gun-aiming or gun-laying F41G3/26
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 23/288 for artificial respiration or heart massage

Abstract

A basic life support system (BLSS) includes a processing element and an output element, such as a display screen or an audio output element, for providing an individual with real-time instructions on providing emergency medical care to a patient until paramedics or other healthcare professionals arrive to take over care for the patient. The instructions may be provided as graphics, including animations, as text, audibly, or as a combination of visible and audible elements. The BLSS may be configured for providing emergency medical care to individuals who have suffered from ventricular fibrillation. Accordingly, the BLSS may also include a defibrillation apparatus, an air or oxygen supply, a respiratory interface, one or more sensors, or a combination thereof.

Claims

1. A basic life support system, comprising:

a defibrillation apparatus;

at least one electronic processing element configured to provide instructions, including corrective instructions in an event where the emergency care is not being properly or optimally provided, comprising at least one graphic representation of use of the defibrillation apparatus and wherein the at least one electronic processing element prioritizes instructions in light of a predicted drop in SaO₂ over time;

at least one sensor associated with the at least one processing element configured to detect emergency care provided by a responder to facilitate assessment by the at least one processing element of whether the emergency care is being properly or optimally provided and to tailor the corrective instructions based on information provided by the at least one sensor;

a respiratory interface including a flow meter and a gas pressure sensor, wherein the flow meter and pressure sensor, in conjunction with the at least one processing element, are configured to detect leakage in the respiratory interface or airway obstruction and as part of the corrective instructions to instruct the individual to correct leakage or obstruction, if present; and

at least one output element associated with the at least one processing element configured to provide the corrective instructions related to the defibrillation apparatus and the respiratory interface, including visually providing the corrective instructions, to an individual providing the emergency care and operating the basic life support system.

2. The basic life support system of claim 1, wherein the respiratory interface comprises at least one of a mask and a breathing tube.

3. The basic life support system of claim 1, further comprising:

an air or oxygen supply.

4. The basic life support system of claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor comprises at least one of a gas analyzer, a pulse oximeter, and an electrocardiogram.

5. The basic life support system of claim 1, wherein the at least one processing element, by evaluating signals from the at least one sensor, is configured to detect at least one of spontaneous breathing by a patient, and a pulse of the patient.

6. The basic life support system of claim 5, wherein the at least one processing element is configured to provide an alarm upon detecting at least one of an airway obstruction, a leak, inadequate spontaneous breathing by the patient, and lack of a pulse of the patient.

7. The basic life support system of claim 5, wherein the at least one processing element is configured to terminate power to the defibrillation apparatus upon detecting spontaneous breathing by the patient or a pulse of the patient.

8. The basic life support system of claim 1, wherein the at least one output element comprises a display screen.

9. The basic life support system of claim 8, wherein the display screen is configured to display the instructions in the form of a graphic representation.

10. The basic life support system of claim 9, wherein the graphic display includes a virtual window for displaying graphical instructions to the responder.

11. The basic life support system of claim 10, wherein the graphical instructions include animated graphics showing where and how to place equipment and sensors on the patient.

12. The basic life support system of claim 8, wherein the display screen is configured to display the instructions as text.

13. The basic life support system of claim 8, wherein the display screen is configured to display information about the current condition of the patient.

14. The basic life support system of claim 1, wherein the at least one output element comprises an audio output element.

15. The basic life support system of claim 14, wherein the at least one audio output element is configured to output at least one of an audible alarm and voice instructions.

16. The basic life support system of claim 1, further comprising a graphically instructive label on at least one component thereof.

17. The basic life support system of claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor and the at least on processing element are configured to detect the manner in which cardiopulmonary resuscitation is administered and the at least one processing element and the at least one output element are configured to provide the individual with instructions when the manner of administration of cardiopulmonary resuscitation should be corrected or improved.

18. The basic life support system of claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor is configured to monitor a patient'"'"'s respiration.

19. A method for providing real-time emergency medical care instructions to a responder, comprising:

providing the responder with graphic instructions on providing the emergency medical care, including use of a respiratory interface and defibrillation apparatus;

sensing emergency medical care being administered by a responder, including administration of improper or non-optimal emergency medical care with at least one sensor;

processing information from the at least one sensor with an electronic processing element to assess whether the emergency medical care is being properly or optimally provided and to tailor corrective instructions based on information provided by the at least one sensor, including prioritizing instructions in light of a predicted drop in SaO₂ over time; and

visually providing the responder with the corrective instructions from the electronic processor when improper or non-optimal medical emergency medical care is sensed during use of both the defibrillator apparatus and the respiratory interface.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein providing the responder with graphic instructions and providing the responder with visual corrective instructions comprises providing the responder with animated instructions.

21. The method of claim 19, further comprising:

providing the responder with audible instructions on providing the emergency medical care.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein providing the responder with audible instructions comprises providing at least one of an audible alarm and voice instructions.

23. The method of claim 19, wherein providing the responder with graphic instructions comprises providing at least one graphic label to instruct the responder where to grasp, position, or manipulate at least one element of a basic life support system.

24. The method of claim 19, wherein providing the responder with graphic instructions comprises providing the responder with instructions on positioning and operating the respiratory interface and the defibrillation apparatus.

25. The method of claim 19, wherein providing the responder with graphic instructions comprises providing the responder with instructions on positioning the respiratory interface on a patient to whom the emergency medical care is provided.

26. The method of claim 25, further comprising providing the responder with instructions on providing oxygen-rich gas to the patient through the respiratory interface.

27. The method of claim 19, wherein providing the responder with graphic instructions comprises providing the responder with instructions on positioning at least one sensor on a patient to whom the emergency medical care is provided.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein providing the responder with graphic instructions comprises providing the responder with instructions based upon information obtained with the at least one sensor.

29. The method of claim 19, further comprising:

pausing the instructions until feedback has been provided indicating that prior instructions have been carried out by the responder.

30. The method of claim 19, wherein sensing comprises a manner in which cardiopulmonary resuscitation is administered and wherein providing the responder with corrective instructions comprises providing the responder with instructions on correcting or improving administration of cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

31. The method of claim 19, wherein sensing comprises monitoring a patient'"'"'s respiration.