Visual and aural user interface for an automated external defibrillator

• US 20050261742A1
• Filed: 07/25/2005
• Published: 11/24/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 11/20/1998
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: West Affum Holdings DAC
• Original Assignee: West Affum Holdings Corp
• Inventors: Nova, Richard C., Bertagnole, Shawn R.
• Granted Patent: US 10,213,612 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/5
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/39044 in combination with cardiopulmonary resuscitation [CPR] therapy
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3968 Constructional arrangements, e.g. casings A61N1/375 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3993 User interfaces for automatic external defibrillators

Abstract

An automated external defibrillator (AED) (10) designed for use by a rescuer with minimal or no training during a medical emergency is provided. The AED implements a user interface program (22) which guides the rescuer through operation of the AED and application of CPR and defibrillation therapy to a patient by displaying a series of visual instructions on a graphic display (14) or other visual output device, and by providing additional aural instructions via a speaker (18) or other aural output device. The rescuer merely needs to press a start button (12) to initiate operation of the AED and begin CPR and defibrillation instruction.

Claims

1. (canceled)

2. A method of operating an external defibrillator which includes an aural output device comprising:

causing the output device to deliver a first verbal instruction which includes a prompt to call an emergency response system;

determining if the user elects to have the defibrillator continue on to a second instruction;

if it is determined that the user elects to have the defibrillator continue on to the next instruction, causing the defibrillator to deliver the second verbal instruction.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the step of determining if the user elects to continue on to the second instruction includes the step of determining if the user has performed an action upon the defibrillator.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein the action upon the defibrillator includes pressing a button.

5. The method of claim 2 wherein the step of determining if the user elects to have the defibrillator continue on to the second instruction includes determining if the user has performed an action on the defibrillator within a predetermined time interval after deliver of the first verbal instruction.

6. The method of claim 5 further comprising the step of repeating the first instruction if the user has not performed an action upon the defibrillator during the time interval.

7. The method of claim 2 wherein the prompt to call an emergency response system includes the words “

call 911”

.

8. The method of claim 2 further comprising the step of causing the output device to deliver a CPR instruction which includes a prompt to deliver x chest compressions, where x is a first predetermined number and the instruction to deliver y breaths, where y is a second predetermined number.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein x is 15 and y is 2.

10. The method of claim 8 wherein the instructions to deliver x chest compressions and y breaths are repeated z times, where z is a predetermined number.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein z is 4.

12. The method of claim 8 wherein the CPR instruction further includes an instruction on location of the user'"'"'s hand on the patient'"'"'s chest during delivery of chest compressions.

13. The method of claim 2 wherein the second instruction includes an instruction on checking the patient'"'"'s breathing.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein the instruction on checking the patient'"'"'s breathing includes an instruction to open the patient'"'"'s airway.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein the instruction to open the patient'"'"'s airway includes instructions to tilt the patient'"'"'s head and lift the patient'"'"'s chin.

16. The method of claim 2 wherein the second instruction includes an instruction to assess the patient.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein the instruction to assess the patient includes an instruction to shake the patient and shout.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein the instruction to assess the patient includes an instruction to check the patient for a pulse.

19. A method of operating a defibrillator comprising

providing an audio output device in the defibrillator;

providing a verbal instruction to call 911 to the user through the output device;

determining if the user takes an action within a predetermined time interval after the instruction to call 911 is provided; and

providing further instructions through the output device upon determining that the user took the action within the time interval or that the time interval has expired.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein the further instruction includes instructions to attach electrodes to the patient.

21. The method of claim 19 wherein the further instructions include instructions to assess the patient.

22. The method of claim 19 wherein the further instructions include instructions to deliver CPR.