Aural heart monitoring apparatus and method
First Claim
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1. An automatic external defibrillator (AED) comprising:
- a pair of electrodes adapted to contact a subject;
an ECG processor, coupled to the electrodes, which acts to analyze an ECG signal;
an energy source;
a high voltage circuit coupled to the energy source;
a shock delivery circuit coupled to the ECG processor, the high voltage circuit, and the electrodes;
an earphone adapted to detect acoustic signals of the ear of the subject; and
an earphone signal processor, coupled to the earphone, which operates to sense the presence of pulsatile blood flow from signals received by the earphone,wherein the signal processor is coupled to the shock delivery circuit,wherein the shock delivery circuit makes a decision to shock based upon an absence of a pulsatile ECG signal from the ECG processor and an absence of pulsatile blood flow sensed by the earphone signal processor.
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Abstract
A heart monitor is disclosed including an electroacoustic transducer such as an earphone coupled to a controller. The transducer is positioned in a person'"'"'s ear in acoustic communication with the tympanum. Signals from the transducer are processed to determine the presence of pulsatile blood flow. The heart monitor may be incorporated into a defibrillator to sense the presence of blood flow for use in a shock delivery decision.
11 Citations
4 Claims
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1. An automatic external defibrillator (AED) comprising:
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a pair of electrodes adapted to contact a subject; an ECG processor, coupled to the electrodes, which acts to analyze an ECG signal; an energy source; a high voltage circuit coupled to the energy source; a shock delivery circuit coupled to the ECG processor, the high voltage circuit, and the electrodes; an earphone adapted to detect acoustic signals of the ear of the subject; and an earphone signal processor, coupled to the earphone, which operates to sense the presence of pulsatile blood flow from signals received by the earphone, wherein the signal processor is coupled to the shock delivery circuit, wherein the shock delivery circuit makes a decision to shock based upon an absence of a pulsatile ECG signal from the ECG processor and an absence of pulsatile blood flow sensed by the earphone signal processor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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Specification