Cardiopulmonary resuscitation sensor

• US 8,034,006 B2
• Filed: 06/15/2007
• Issued: 10/11/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 06/15/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Laerdal Medical AS (Laerdal Medical Corporation), Board of Regents of the University of Texas System (University of Texas System)
• Original Assignee: Laerdal Medical AS (Laerdal Medical Corporation), Board of Regents of the University of Texas System (University of Texas System)
• Inventors: Celik-Butler, Zeynep, Mancini, Mary E., Morallee, Kenneth George, Cason, Carolyn L., Priest, John W., Fossan, Helge
• Primary Examiner(s): Hindenburg; Max
• Assistant Examiner(s): DANEGA, RENEE A
• Application Number:
  US11/764,174
• Publication Number:
  US 20080312565A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,579 Days
• Field of Search: 601/41, 601/43, 340/539.12, 600/587
• US Class Current: 601/41
• 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 2201/5048 Audio interfaces, e.g. voice or music controlled
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5061 Force sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5064 Position sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5071 Pressure sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5084 Acceleration sensors
• 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 2230/50 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 31/005 with feedback for the user
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 31/006 Power driven
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 31/007 Manual driven
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 23/288 for artificial respiration or heart massage

Abstract

The present invention provides a CPR sensor that includes a thin and substantially flat flexible substrate having one or more sensor arrays, a power source, an output interface and a processor or analog circuit, all of which are disposed on the substantially flat flexible substrate. The substrate can be any shape (e.g., rectangular, circular, a polygon, an irregular shape that is decorative) and made from a polymer, metal film or other suitable material. Note that the substrate can be rigid or semi-flexible instead of flexible. A protective layer may cover the sensor array, the power source, and the processor or analog circuit. Alternatively, a protective covering can be used to encapsulate the device. The one or more sensor arrays measure one or more of the following compressions characteristics: compression depth, compression force, compression frequency and compression acceleration.

Claims

1. A cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) sensor comprising:

a card selected from the group consisting essentially of a business card, a credit card, a debit card, a membership card, a driver'"'"'s license and an identification card;

a thin and substantially flat flexible substrate encapsulated or integrated into the card;

one or more sensor arrays disposed on the flexible substrate that measure one or more compression characteristics and one or more operational parameters;

an output interface disposed on the flexible substrate that provides a feedback to a user;

a processor or an analog circuit disposed on the flexible substrate and connected to the one or more sensor arrays and the output interface, wherein the processor or the analog circuit determines whether the measured operational parameters are within one or more CPR guidelines based on the measured compression characteristics and provides the feedback to the user regarding whether the measured operational parameters are within the CPR guidelines via the output interface;

a power source disposed on the flexible substrate and connected to the one or more sensor arrays, the output interface, and the processor or the analog circuit; and

wherein the sensor is self-contained.

2. The CPR sensor as recited in claim 1, wherein:

the flexible substrate comprises a polymer or a metal film; and

the one or more compression characteristics comprise depth, force, frequency or acceleration.

3. The CPR sensor as recited in claim 1, further comprising a protective layer covering the sensor array(s), the processor or the analog circuit, and the power source.

4. The CPR sensor as recited in claim 1, wherein the sensor array(s) comprise:

one or more accelerometers; and

one or more pressure sensors positioned around the accelerometer(s).

5. The CPR sensor as recited in claim 1, wherein:

the one or more operational parameters comprise an applied pressure, an acceleration, a chest depression, a number of depressions, a number of release actions, and cardiac electrical activity or a combination thereof.

6. The CPR sensor as recited in claim 5, further comprising a data storage connected to the processor or the analog circuit that stores the one or more parameters, the feedback, a status of the CPR sensor, diagnostic information or a combination thereof.

7. The CPR sensor as recited in claim 6, wherein the data storage comprises a RFID tag, a magnetic strip, a memory or a combination thereof.

8. The CPR sensor as recited in claim 1, wherein the substrate is rigid or semi-flexible instead of flexible.

9. The CPR sensor as recited in claim 1, wherein the one or more operational parameters comprise a physical contact with a CPR recipient, a physical contact with a CPR provider, a temperature of the CPR recipient, a heartbeat of the CPR recipient, a pulse of the CPR recipient or a cardiac electrical activity of the CPR recipient.

10. The CPR sensor as recited in claim 9, wherein:

the CPR recipient is a human, an animal or a manikin; and

the CPR provider is a human or a machine.

11. The CPR sensor as recited in claim 1, wherein the output interface comprises a visual display, a speaker, a multi-tone generator, a communications interface or a combination thereof.

12. The CPR sensor as recited in claim 11, wherein the visual display comprises a set of light emitting diodes, a liquid crystal display or combination thereof that provide the feedback to the CPR provider, a status of the CPR sensor, a status of the CPR recipient or a combination thereof.

13. The CPR sensor as recited in claim 11, wherein the communications interface comprises an optical communications interface, an infrared communications interface, a wireless communications transceiver, a physical communications port or a combination thereof.

14. The CPR sensor as recited in claim 13, wherein the wireless transceiver comprises an active radio frequency identification tag, a passive radio frequency identification tag, a cellular phone, an Internet connection or a personal data assistant.

15. The CPR sensor as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

a geographic locator that is disposed on the flexible substrate and connected to the processor or the analog circuit; and

a communications interface disposed on the flexible substrate, connected to the processor or the analog circuit, wherein the processor or the analog circuit periodically transmits a status of the CPR sensor, a location of the CPR sensor as determined by the geographic locator, diagnostic information, a status of the CPR recipient or a combination thereof to a medical service provider via the communications interface.

16. The CPR sensor as recited in claim 1, wherein the flexible substrate can be stretched, wrinkled or flexed without degradation of the sensors.

17. The CPR sensor as recited in claim 1, wherein the CPR sensor is integrated in or attached to a manikin, a CPR recipient, a device, a wallet, a clothing or other thin portable user device.

18. The CPR sensor as recited in claim 17, wherein the device comprises a defibrillator, a phone, a mobile communications device, a cellular phone, an audio and/or video device or a personal data assistant.

19. The CPR sensor as recited in claim 1, wherein the CPR sensor is shaped, both in area and thickness, like a credit card.

20. The CPR sensor as recited in claim 1, wherein the power source comprises a battery, a solar panel, a layer of piezoelectric film for voltage generation during compressions that is used to recharge the battery, an electromagnetic voltage generator, an energy harvesting device or a combination thereof.

21. The CPR sensor as recited in claim 20, wherein the battery is replaceable or rechargeable.

22. The CPR sensor as recited in claim 1, wherein the power source comprises:

a battery;

a layer of piezoelectric film or other energy harvesting methods for voltage generation during compressions that is used to recharge the battery; and

a power controller to manage power consumption and storage in the battery and the layer of piezoelectric film for voltage generation during compressions.

23. The CPR sensor as recited in claim 1, wherein the CPR sensor is disposable.

24. The CPR sensor as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

an adhesive layer dispose on a back exterior surface of the CPR sensor; and

a sheet of removable protective material covering the adhesive layer.

25. The CPR sensor as recited in claim 1, further comprising a magnetic strip, a RFID tag, a wireless communications device or other information bearing device disposed on the exterior or interior of the CPR sensor.

26. A cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) sensor comprising:

an upper protective layer;

a lower protective layer;

a thin and substantially flat flexible polymer or thin metal substrate disposed between the upper protective layer and the lower protective layer;

one or more sensor arrays disposed on the substrate that measure one or more operational parameters, and one or more compression characteristics selected from a group consisting of compression depth, compression force, compression frequency and compression acceleration;

an output interface disposed on the substrate that provides a feedback to a user;

a processor or an analog circuit disposed on the substrate and connected to the sensor array(s) and the output interface, wherein the processor or the analog circuit determines whether the measured operational parameters are within one or more CPR guidelines based on the measured compression characteristics and provides the feedback to the user regarding whether the measured operational parameters are within the CPR guidelines via the output interface;

a power source disposed on the substrate and connected to the processor or the analog circuit; and

wherein the sensor is self-contained and has a thickness of less than or equal to 2.0 mm.

27. The CPR sensor as recited in claim 26, wherein the upper protective layer and the lower protective layer encapsulate the substrate.

28. The CPR sensor as recited in claim 26, wherein the power source further comprises an energy producing layer disposed between the lower protective layer and the substrate.

29. The CPR sensor as recited in claim 26, wherein the sensor array(s) comprise:

one or more accelerometers; and

one or more pressure sensors positioned around the accelerometer(s).

30. The CPR sensor as recited in claim 26, wherein:

the one or more operational parameters comprise an applied pressure, an acceleration, a chest depression, a number of depressions, a number of release actions, a cardiac electrical activity or a combination thereof.

31. The CPR sensor as recited in claim 30, further comprising a data storage connected to the processor or the analog circuit that stores the one or more parameters, the feedback, a status of the CPR sensor, diagnostic information or a combination thereof.

32. The CPR sensor as recited in claim 31, wherein the data storage comprises a RFID tag, a magnetic strip, a memory or a combination thereof.

33. The CPR sensor as recited in claim 26, wherein the substrate is rigid or semi-flexible instead of flexible.

34. The CPR sensor as recited in claim 26, wherein the one or more operational parameters are selected from a group consisting of a physical contact with a CPR recipient, a physical contact with a CPR provider, a temperature of the CPR recipient, a heartbeat of the CPR recipient, a pulse of the CPR recipient or a cardiac electrical activity of the CPR recipient.

35. The CPR sensor as recited in claim 26, wherein the output interface comprises a visual display, a speaker, a multi-tone generator, a communications interface or a combination thereof.

36. The CPR sensor as recited in claim 35, wherein the visual display comprises a set of light emitting diodes, a liquid crystal display or a combination thereof that provide the feedback to the CPR provider, a status of the CPR sensor, a status of the CPR recipient or a combination thereof.

37. The CPR sensor as recited in claim 35, wherein the communications interface comprises an optical communications interface, an infrared communications interface, a wireless communications transceiver, a physical communications port or a combination thereof.

38. The CPR sensor as recited in claim 37, wherein the wireless transceiver comprises an active radio frequency identification tag, a passive radio frequency identification tag, a cellular phone, an Internet connection or a personal data assistant.

39. The CPR sensor as recited in claim 26, further comprising:

a geographic locator that is disposed on the flexible substrate and connected to the processor or the analog circuit; and

a communications interface disposed on the flexible substrate, connected to the processor or the analog circuit, wherein the processor or the analog circuit periodically transmits a status of the CPR sensor, a location of the CPR sensor as determined by the geographic locator, diagnostic information, a status of the CPR recipient or a combination thereof to a medical service provider via the communications interface.

40. The CPR sensor as recited in claim 26, wherein the flexible substrate can be stretched, wrinkled or flexed without degradation of the sensors.

41. The CPR sensor as recited in claim 26, wherein the CPR sensor is integrated in or attached to a manikin, a CPR recipient, a device, a business card, a credit card, a debit card, a membership card, a driver'"'"'s license, an identification card, a wallet, a clothing or other thin portable user device.

42. The CPR sensor as recited in claim 41, wherein the device comprises a defibrillator, a phone, a mobile communications device, a cellular phone, an audio and/or video device or a personal data assistant.

43. The CPR sensor as recited in claim 26, wherein the CPR sensor is shaped, both in area and thickness, like a credit card.

44. The CPR sensor as recited in claim 26, wherein the power source comprises a battery, a solar panel, a layer of piezoelectric film for voltage generation during compressions that is used to recharge the battery, an electromagnetic voltage generator, an energy harvesting device or a combination thereof.

45. The CPR sensor as recited in claim 44, wherein the battery is replaceable or rechargeable.

46. The CPR sensor as recited in claim 26, wherein the power source comprises:

a battery;

a layer of piezoelectric film or other energy harvesting methods for voltage generation during compressions that is used to recharge the battery; and

a power controller to manage power consumption and storage in the battery and the layer of piezoelectric film for voltage generation during compressions.

47. The CPR sensor as recited in claim 26, further comprising:

an adhesive layer dispose on a back exterior surface of the CPR sensor; and

a sheet of removable protective material covering the adhesive layer.

48. The CPR sensor as recited in claim 26, further comprising a magnetic strip, a RFID tag, a wireless communications device or other information bearing device disposed on the exterior or interior of the CPR sensor.

49. A method of manufacturing a CPR sensor comprising the steps of:

passivating a silicon wafer;

adding a polyimide layer to the wafer;

creating one or more sensor arrays using a MEMS process wherein the sensor array(s) measures one or more operational parameters, compression depth and compression force;

dicing the wafer to extract the individual dies/sensors

printing a circuit on a flexible substrate;

applying a paste or epoxy to the flexible substrate to receive and secure the individual dies/sensors;

placing the individual dies/sensors on the flexible substrate;

placing the flexible substrate on a lower protective layer containing electrical interconnects and an output interface, a processor or an analog circuit, and a power source, and wherein the processor or the analog circuit is configured to determine whether the measured operational parameters are within one or more CPR guidelines based on the measured compression depth and measured compression force and provide a feedback to a user regarding whether the measured operational parameters are within the CPR guidelines via the output interface;

securing the flexible substrate to the lower protective layer;

placing and securing a upper protective layer to the flexible substrate and the lower protective layer to complete assembly of the CPR sensor; and

wherein the sensor is self-contained and has a thickness of less than or equal to 2.0 mm.

50. The method as recited in claim 49, further comprising the step of testing the CPR sensor.