Integrated resuscitation

• US 9,713,445 B2
• Filed: 10/12/2011
• Issued: 07/25/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Zoll Medical Corporation (Asahi Kasei Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Zoll Medical Corporation (Asahi Kasei Corporation)
• Inventors: Freeman, Gary A., Totman, Mark
• Primary Examiner(s): Heller, Tammie K
• Application Number:
  US13/271,613
• Publication Number:
  US 20120150244A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,113 Days
• Field of Search: 607 4, 607 5, 607 17, 607 19
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02438 with portable devices, e.g. worn by the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0245 by using sensing means generating electric signals, i.e. ECG signals
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1116 Determining posture transitions
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1118 Determining activity level
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14551 for measuring blood gases
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/346 Analysis of electrocardiograms
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4836 Diagnosis combined with treatment in closed-loop systems or methods A61B5/0036 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7282 Event detection, e.g. detecting unique waveforms indicative of a medical condition A61B5/4094, A61B5/4818, A61B5/349, A61B5/0823 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 7/02 Stethoscopes acoustic details thereof G10K11/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2031/002 fixed on the chest by adhesives
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5007 computer controlled
• 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 2201/5084 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 2230/207 partial O2-value
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 31/005 with feedback for the user
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 31/007 Manual driven
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/046 : Specially adapted for shock therapy, e.g. defibrillation
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0472 : Structure-related aspects
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0492 : Patch electrodes A61N1/0412, A61N1/0428 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3625 : External stimulators
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37288 : Communication to several implantable medical devices within one patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/39044 : in combination with cardiopulmonary resuscitation [CPR] therapy
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/39046 : User protection from shock
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3968 : Constructional arrangements, e.g. casings A61N1/375 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3987 : characterised by the timing or triggering of the shock
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3993 : User interfaces for automatic external defibrillators

Abstract

A wearable resuscitation system is used for resuscitating a patient. The system comprises at least two defibrillation electrodes adapted to be worn by the patient for extended periods of time; circuitry for monitoring the an ECG of the patient; at least one processor configured for analyzing the ECG of the patient, and determining whether electrical therapy should be delivered to the at least two defibrillation electrodes; circuitry for providing defibrillation pulses to the at least two defibrillation electrodes; and circuitry for providing resuscitation prompts, wherein at least the circuitry for monitoring the ECG, the processor configured for analyzing the ECG, and the circuitry for providing resuscitation prompts are contained in one or more devices adapted to be worn by the patient.

Claims

1. A resuscitation system for resuscitating a patient, comprising:

a first unit and second unit configured to be mechanically and electrically detached and reattached from and to one another;

wherein at least portions of the first unit are configured to be supported by the patient for extended periods of time,

wherein the second unit is configured to be detached from the first unit and not supported by the patient for periods of time, and configured to be reattached to the first unit and supported by the patient when defibrillation may need to be delivered to the patient,

wherein at least one electrical connection configured to be disconnected and to be reconnected is provided between the first and second units,

at least two defibrillation electrodes adapted to be worn by the patient and composed of a skin-contacting material that can be safely held against a patient'"'"'s skin for the extended periods of time;

circuitry for monitoring an ECG of the patient;

at least one processor configured for analysing the ECG of the patient, and determining whether electrical therapy should be delivered to the at least two defibrillation electrodes;

circuitry for providing defibrillation pulses to the at least two defibrillation electrodes; and

circuitry for providing prompts on chest compression or ventilation performance during resuscitation,

wherein the circuitry for monitoring the ECG, the processor configured for analysing the ECG, and the circuitry for providing the prompts form part of the first unit, and wherein the circuitry for providing defibrillation pulses forms part of the second unit.

2. The resuscitation system of claim 1 wherein the at least two defibrillation electrodes and the first unit are built into a defibrillation electrode pad assembly adapted to be worn by the patient for extended periods of time.

3. The resuscitation system of claim 1 wherein the first unit is capable of functioning and providing the prompts without being electrically connected to the second unit.

4. The resuscitation system of claim 1 wherein the prompts comprise CPR prompts.

5. The resuscitation system of claim 1 wherein the circuitry for providing at least one electrical connection between the first and second units comprises at least one cable or at least one wireless connection.

6. The resuscitation system of claim 1 wherein the second unit is connected directly to the at least two defibrillation electrodes by one or more cables that carry the defibrillation pulses to the at least two defibrillation electrodes.

7. The resuscitation system of claim 1 wherein the circuitry for providing at least one electrical connection between the first and second units comprises at least one cable for delivering the defibrillation pulses to the first unit, from where they are delivered to the at least two defibrillation electrodes.

8. The resuscitation system of claim 1 wherein the ECG signal from the patient is detected using the at least two defibrillation electrodes.

9. The resuscitation system of claim 1 wherein the first unit comprises a speaker for providing the prompts.

10. The resuscitation system of claim 1 wherein the prompts comprise spoken and visual prompts.

11. The resuscitation system of claim 1 further comprising a microphone and circuitry for storing sounds recorded during use of the system.

12. The resuscitation system of claim 1 further comprising an electrode pad assembly supporting the at least two defibrillation electrodes and a handle attached to the electrode pad assembly for providing an upward lifting force on the chest of the patient.

13. The resuscitation system of claim 1 further comprising an activity sensor adapted to be worn by the patient and capable of providing an output from which the patient'"'"'s current activity can be estimated;

and wherein the at least one processor is configured for estimating the patient'"'"'s current activity by analysing the output of the activity sensor, analysing the ECG of the patient, and determining whether electrical therapy should be delivered to the electrodes.

14. The resuscitation system of claim 13 wherein the at least one processor is configured for estimating whether the patient is moving.

15. The resuscitation system of claim 14 wherein the activity sensor comprises an accelerometer, and the at least one processor is configured for integrating the output of the accelerometer to provide an estimate of velocity and/or displacement.

16. The resuscitation system of claim 13 wherein the at least one processor is configured to process the output of the activity sensor to produce a result and use the result of the processing to modify at least one threshold in a technique used for determining a physiological status of patient.

17. The resuscitation system of claim 16 wherein the physiological status comprises determining a risk of impending heart attack or cardiac arrest.

18. The resuscitation system of claim 13 wherein the resuscitation system includes a speaker adapted to be worn by the patient for issuing spoken prompts to the patient, and the at least one processor decides on content of the spoken prompt based on the estimated current activity of the patient.

19. The resuscitation system of claim 13 wherein the patient'"'"'s current activity comprises estimating an orientation of the patient.

20. The resuscitation system of claim 19 wherein estimating the orientation of the patient comprises determining whether the patient is lying on his back.