Interactive automatic external defibrillator providing attachment guidance to operator

• US 8,209,008 B2
• Filed: 10/13/2003
• Issued: 06/26/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 10/23/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Original Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Inventors: Hansen, Kim, Lyster, Thomas D., Froman, James Adkins, Denney, Douglas Michael, Fischer, Kurt V.
• Primary Examiner(s): KAHELIN, MICHAEL WILLIAM
• Application Number:
  US10/531,359
• Publication Number:
  US 20060116723A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,179 Days
• Field of Search: 607/8, 607/5
• US Class Current: 607/8
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3904 External heart defibrillators [EHD]
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3925 Monitoring; Protecting

Abstract

A method for operating an automatic external defibrillator (AED) prompts an operator about proper operation of the automatic external defibrillator and placement of the electrodes to ensure rapid and proper operation. Depending upon a state of a pad storage compartment, upon activation the AED issues an initial prompt, pauses after the initial prompt and then issues a second prompt. The AED also determines whether the pads have been removed from a liner and if so, issues a pad application prompt. The AED next determines whether both pads have been placed and if so, analyzes an impedance signal and if the impedance signal is erratic, issues a pad correction prompt. The AED also issues the pad correction prompt if the pads are removed from the liner but never go on the patient.

Claims

1. A method for guiding an operator of an automatic external defibrillator in pad placement on a subject comprising:

prompting an operator to conduct a pad placement action;

sensing whether the pads are in proper contact with the subject and, if they are not;

following sensing, issuing a pad correction prompt to remove a pad liner.

3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising repeating a prompt until the defibrillator senses that the operator has conducted the prompted action.

2. A method for guiding an operator of an automatic external defibrillator in pad placement on a subject comprising:

prompting an operator to conduct a pad placement action;

sensing whether the pads are in proper contact with the subject and, if they are not;

following sensing, issuing a pad correction prompt that the pads must not be touching each other.

4. The method according to claim 2, further comprising repeating a prompt until the defibrillator senses that the operator has conducted the prompted action.