Wearable cpr assist training and testing device

Abstract

A wearable cardiopulmonary resuscitation assist device or system including: a wearable article to be worn by a cardiopulmonary resuscitation performer or a patient, for assisting administration of cardiopulmonary resuscitation by the performer; at least one sensor for measuring at least one parameter to assist in cardiopulmonary resuscitation; at least one feedback component for conveying feedback information based on the parameter to the performer for assisting the performer in performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation; and a processing unit, the processing unit being configured to receive the at least one parameter from the at least one sensor and to send information based on the parameter to the at least one feedback component. Also a method for training or improving cardiopulmonary resuscitation procedures using the device.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11 / 936,184, filed Nov. 7, 2007, entitled WEARABLE CPR ASSIST, TRAINING AND TESTING DEVICE, currently pending, which claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 880,228, filed Jan. 16, 2007, by the same inventors and commonly assigned, both of which are incorporated herein by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates to CPR assist devices. In particular, the present invention relates to CPR assist devices that are wearable, and systems that include such devices.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]There are currently an estimated 40,000 incidences of cardiac arrest every year in Canada, most of which take place outside of hospital settings. The odds of an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest currently stand at approximately 5%. In the U.S., there are about 164,000 such instances each year, or about 0.55 per 1000 population. There is a desire to d...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The present invention provides a wearable CPR assist device that can help a rescuer perform CPR on a patient. The device includes sensors to measure various parameters during CPR, and it can provide feedback to the rescuer in the form of audio and visual signals. The device is easy to use and can be adapted to different situations. It can be in the form of an intuitive wearable article or a glove for increased wearability and ease of use. The device can also be used for training and real life emergencies. Overall, the invention provides a useful tool for rescuers to improve their CPR performance."

Problems solved by technology

However, the quality of CPR is often poor.

Retention of proper CPR technique and protocol may be inadequate in most individuals and the anxiety of an emergency situation may confuse and hinder an individual in delivering proper treatment.

According to the journal of the American Medical Association (2005), cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is often performed inconsistently and inefficiently, resulting in preventable deaths.

Months after the completion of standard CPR training and testing, an individual's competency at performing effective chest compressions often deteriorates significantly.

In addition to too shallow compressions, too forceful compressions may also be problematic.

Such consequences may be due to excessive force or compression depth.

Once again, lack of practice may be responsible for these injuries.

However, these devices are often expensive and inaccessible to the lay individual who does not have a defibrillator on hand or cannot operate such a device.

Furthermore, such devices are often not portable nor are they easily accessible.

Simple devices with bar graph displays indicating compression force are often cumbersome in design and non-intuitive in use.

Such a device may be uncomfortable to the patient and user and often has minimal data output.

Thus, misuse of such a device is probable rendering it a hindrance rather than an aid.

It may be cumbersome and may not be suited for use by non-medical professionals.

The device has a multitude of instrumentation, which may make it expensive.

If the user is not familiar with the device, its use could result in injury.

Other devices, such the D-Padz™ by Zoll Medical employ similar technologies and thus encounter similar disadvantages.

Such a device may be bulky and awkward to use, and the feedback provided is limited and not quantitative.

This technique relies on the observational skills of the instructor and thus may be prone to human error.

Furthermore, for effective training to take place, each student must be observed separately thereby occupying a significant amount of time and decreasing the number of students who can be trained at one time.

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