Chest-Compression Apparatus

Abstract

A chest-compression apparatus (1) for cardiopulmonary resuscitation is described. The apparatus comprises a support structure (2) that is configured to span from a person's shoulders to a person's crotch and to hold a chest compressor (3) over the person's chest when in use on a person in a supine position. It also comprises a chest compressor (3) mounted or mountable on the support structure (2). The support structure (2) is configured to span longitudinally over or along the person's chest from at least a region above the person's pelvis (11) to a region above the person's clavicles (12) when the person is in the supine position. In an embodiment, the apparatus (1) includes a backboard (7) for positioning under the person. The support structure 2 can be Y-shaped and attachable to the backboard (7).

Description

[0001] Chest-Compression Apparatus

[0002] Field

[0003] The present invention relates to a chest-compression apparatus for use in cardiopulmonary resuscitation. More specifically, the present invention relates to a chestcompression apparatus comprising a bridge and a chest compressor.

[0004] Background

[0005] Sudden cardiac arrest is a leading cause of death in the western world and is characterised in that the heart stops pumping blood to the body's organs. The consequence is severe organ damage (e.g., brain and / or heart injuries) or even death. A sudden cardiac arrest can be managed with cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) where the chest is compressed to maintain blood circulation in the body and to restart the heart. By doing this the blood flow generated will re-oxygenate the blood and circulate the blood to the body organs. Early application of good quality CPR procedures after a cardiac arrest are linked to better outcomes.

[0006] Medical guidance on performing CPR for adults prescribes compressing the chest by between 5cm and 6cm deep and at a rate of at least 100 to 120 compressions per minute. Typically, in an emergency scenario, such compressions are performed by people, such as emergency responders or even bystanders. However, there is a risk of CPR being applied incorrectly, and a risk of the person performing CPR becoming tired and not performing the compressions with good quality. In many cases CPR is performed continually for even more than 20 minutes. Therefore, the use of chest-compression apparatus that can perform CPR automatically and to an acceptable standard has already proved to be beneficial in the hands of health care workers.

[0007] EP 3449891 A1 discloses a piston-based chest compression device with belt drive for cardiopulmonary resuscitation. The device comprises a frame or a gantry with two legs fixed to a short backboard. When disposed about the person, the frame extends over thorax of the person so that the piston, supported on the frame, is disposed above the sternum of the person. The piston is then reciprocated to apply compressive forces to the person’s chest.

[0008] US 10022295 B2 discloses a chest compression device for use in CPR comprising a bridge for placement laterally about a person’s chest and lateral chest supports attached to the bridge at points that are laterally either side of the chest when the device is in use and apply a lateral pressure to the sides of the chest.

[0009] US 2019 / 0029920 A1 discloses a chest compression device for use with a hospital bed, where a flexible harness assembly is used to provide chest compressions by selectively adjusting the tension of the harness assembly against the hospital bed. The harness and compression device lie flat on top of the person’s body.

[0010] Summary

[0011] According to a first aspect, a chest-compression apparatus for cardio pulmonary resuscitation is provided. The apparatus comprises a backboard configured to support a person’s back when the person is in a supine position, the backboard being configured to extend longitudinally under the person in the supine position from at least under their shoulders to at least under their pelvis; a support structure configured to span over an upper region of the person and to hold a chest compressor over the person’s chest when in use on a person in a supine position, wherein the support structure is self-supporting; and a chestcompressor mounted or mountable on the support structure, the support structure being attached or attachable to the backboard for supporting the chest-compressor above the person’s chest, wherein the support structure is configured to attach to the backboard at positions on the backboard that enable the support structure to span longitudinally from at least a region above the person’s diaphragm to a region above the person’s clavicles when the person is in the supine position.

[0012] In other words, the self-supporting support structure connects to the backboard at a position which is past the person’s clavicles (i.e., further away from the abdomen / diaphragm than the clavicles) and at a position which is beyond the person’s diaphragm (i.e., further away from the clavicles than the abdomen / diaphragm) - thereby allowing the support structure to span longitudinally between two (or more) attachment positions (e.g., longitudinally with respect to the person’s body and the backboard).

[0013] Advantageously, such a longitudinal configuration of the chest-compression apparatus does not require many (or any) elements to be placed laterally of the person’s chest and / or abdomen, which provides a number of benefits.

[0014] Firstly, it allows the apparatus to be used with persons who are of almost any width (certainly a wider range of persons than the current laterally configured devices). Prior art devices generally extend transversely and surround the person’s chest, extending between the person’s side (torso side) and their arms on both sides (i.e., occupy space therebetween). Thus, the known devices have to be shaped accordingly, and a given size of device for an average person may not be suitable for use also with larger persons.

[0015] Sudden cardiac arrest is highly correlated with obesity, and so obese persons are more likely to find themselves needing an emergency CPR procedure. It is also more difficult to perform adequate manual CPR on obese and morbidly obese persons due to excess tissue, so it may be more beneficial to these persons to receive mechanical CPR, and thus there is a greater need for a mechanical CPR apparatus which can fit wider persons. While there are differences in terms of people’s height and hence length of torso, the range of differences is easier to accommodate. This means that if a medical team is carrying just one chest compression apparatus to an emergency situation, then the longitudinal configuration outlined above is more likely to be able to fit the person encountered by the medical team; the medical team may be able to use the apparatus in more emergency situations.

[0016] Secondly, as the apparatus extends longitudinally (as opposed to transversely as in prior art), there may be no (or at least fewer) physical obstructions to the person’s torso from the sides when the chest-compression apparatus is in place on the person. Typically, in an emergency situation, the person will be placed on a flat surface like a backboard or a stretcher, with emergency personnel attending to the person from the sides. Using a longitudinal support structure to mount the chest compressor results in more space for personnel to perform other procedures simultaneously. The support structure may be a bridge which spans longitudinally from at least a region above the person’s pelvis to a region above the person’s clavicles when the person is in the supine position. The extra lateral clearance may facilitate, for example, chest tubes, an abdominal drain, a venous catheter, ECG electrode placement and / or defibrillation pads electrode placement. Furthermore, as the chest-compression apparatus may not have any (or at least many) components between the person’s torso and their arm, fewer physical obstructions to fitting the apparatus are encountered.

[0017] Thirdly, if the person requires an emergency X-ray while the CPR apparatus is in use, the support structure (bridge) facilitates lateral chest X-rays with little or no obstruction of the person’s chest cavity in lateral X-ray images. A lateral X-ray image is likely to be at least partially obscured by a component of a laterally arranged device, and may require other imaging orientations and planes to be used, which may not give the information needed. Oblique X-ray images may also be easier to perform.

[0018] Due to the configuration of the support structure (bridge), parts are not generally required in the region between the person’s chest and the person’s arms (when the person is on their back in the supine position). That is, the support structure (bridge) may result in no elements obstructing access to a person’s chest from the lateral direction; all the portions of the support structure (bridge) providing support for the chest compressor will generally be above or to the side of the chest and extending longitudinally above / along the chest from at least the pelvis to at least the person’s clavicles when the person is in the supine position. This said, a strap or similar may also be provided to extend laterally around the person if so desired to help hold the position of the chest compressor so that it remains correctly positioned on the person’s chest during operation or movement of the person.

[0019] A support structure (bridge) that is arranged longitudinally on the person and spans from at least a region above the person’s pelvis to at least a region above the person’s clavicles (this being viewed when the person is in the supine position), is also less likely to ‘ride’ up the chest of the person, e.g., when chest compressions are started.

[0020] In some transverse arrangements of the prior art, for example, the chestcompression devices have a tendency to move slightly with each compression stroke, typically towards the head of the person due to the natural slope of the human chest, particularly in larger people. There could also be movement due to a tilted positioning of the person, e.g., because of uneven ground. Any reduction in effectiveness of the chest compressions could result in poorer oxygen supply to the brain. An apparatus where the support structure is configured to span longitudinally over (or along) the person’s chest from at least a region above the person’s pelvis to a region above the person’s clavicles is better able to resist longitudinal movement of the chest compressor with respect of the person’s body. Simply put, because the chest compressor is locked to the support structure (e.g., bridge), where it is able to deliver optimal chest compressions, the support structure (e.g., bridge) is able to resist such tendency due to the longitudinal configuration of the support structure.

[0021] The support structure (also called the bridge) may comprise an abdominal portion, a first shoulder portion and a second shoulder portion. The portions may be curved when viewed side on. In this way, the portions may define an arched support that can span over the person for the chest compressor to be mounted to.

[0022] The abdominal portion, the first shoulder portion and the second shoulder portion may be arranged in a ‘Y’ configuration. The first and second shoulder portions may diverge from the middle of the “Y” by an acute angle, to direct the first shoulder portion and the second shoulder portion either side of the person’s neck. Thus, an angle between the first shoulder portion and the second shoulder portion may be smaller than the angle between the abdominal portion and either of the first or second shoulder portion. Providing a bridge with three portions (e.g. three support legs arranged in a tripod configuration), advantageously results in a more stable arrangement of the apparatus. The presence of three portions may limit movement of the apparatus in a lateral direction too, and so may also help to prevent ‘walking’ of the apparatus.

[0023] The three bridge portions may be sized such that they provide sufficient rigidity to the bridge to support the chest compressor, and especially when it is compressing the chest. That is, the portions may have sufficient rigidity to substantially hold their form while chest compressions are being performed. The size of the bridge portions will clearly depend on the material used to manufacture the portions. Suitable materials may include plastics, metals like aluminium alloys, composite structures or a combination of those to provide rigidity without excessive weight. A softer, more resilient material may be used on at least person-facing surfaces of the portions where they might come into contact with the person to provide some conformity where needed. The chest compressor may be configured to exert substantial force on a person’s chest. The chest compressor may be configured to exert a force in the region of 50N to 600N, optionally a force in the region of 100N to 500N. In other cases, the chest compressor may be configured to exert approximately a force of 50kg or 125 lbs on the person’s chest. The forces must be high enough to provide suitable and effective compression of the chest. The three bridge portions may be configured to provide sufficient rigidity when the chest compressor is exerting any of the above discussed forces (e.g. forces of about 500N). In addition, the chest compressor may also be configured to exert a lifting force (decompression) in the region of 50N to 200N, and so the three bridge portions may also be configured to provide sufficient rigidity for these forces.

[0024] The support structure (bridge) may be configured to attach to the backboard at two positions past the person’s clavicles (as well as beyond the person’s diaphragm) when the person is in the supine position. These may be the only attachment positions of the support structure (bridge) with the backboard. This advantageously provides easy access to the person’s sides by not obstructing the sides of the torso, chest or abdomen with any support structures lateral of the chest compressor. In other words, the apparatus need not comprise any support structure and / or attachment to the backboard directly below and lateral of the chest compressor (which itself is positioned directly above the person’s chest).

[0025] The support structure (bridge) may comprise a compressor frame for connecting the chest-compressor to the support structure, the compressor frame permitting longitudinal movement of the chest-compressor. Such a compressor frame may be used to position the chest-compressor at an optimal position above the person’s chest. The compressor frame may comprise rigid portions that are linked to the chest-compressor via pivotal connections. Furthermore, the compressor frame can facilitate easy manipulation of the chest-compressor position e.g., by use of handles provided by the compressor frame and / or through movement restricting mechanisms such as latches. The compressor frame may comprise handles for allowing manipulation of the position of the compressor frame and chest-compressor assembly. The compressor frame may comprise pivotal connections for pivotally connecting the compressor frame to the chest-compressor. This may allow the apparatus to fold away in a compact manner. The compressor frame may be removably attachable to the support structure (bridge), allowing the apparatus to be disassembled to transportation and storage.

[0026] The support structure may comprise two (parallel) rails configured to cooperate with the compressor frame for selectively permitting longitudinal movement of the compressor frame along the rails. The rails may also be configured for selectively preventing movement of the compressor frame along the rails, e.g., when a position for the chest-compressor has been selected. Advantageously, such mechanism may allow a user to position the chestcompressor at an optimal longitudinal position above the person’s chest, by for example releasing a latch or holding down a button, and then secure the longitudinal position of the compressor frame with the same mechanism to prevent longitudinal movement of the compressor (e.g., during resuscitation). The rails may comprise teeth which cooperate with a pawl of the compressor frame to permit and prevent the movement.

[0027] The backboard may comprise a head portion for accommodating the person’s head when the person is lying on the backboard in the supine position. The head portion may indicate the optimal position for the person. The head portion may be raised or inclined slightly compared to the rest of the backboard. The head portion may comprise a softer portion (e.g., a pillow) for accommodating the person’s head. The head portion may extend past the person’s shoulders and / or may extend beyond the person’s pelvis, when the person is in the supine positions (i.e., extended longitudinally further than the support structure).

[0028] The backboard may be a stiff backboard which provides rigidity to the apparatus and allows effective chest compressions to be applied to a person, by providing a rigid surface onto which the person’s back is pressed against during chest compressions. The rigid portion may be made of any suitable material, such as rigid plastic, metal, wood foam, composite materials or the like.

[0029] The apparatus may comprise a flexible stretcher portion. The flexible stretcher portion may provide additional surface on which a person’s body can be placed (i.e., the portions of the person’s body which are not positioned on the backboard, such as the lower torso, pelvis, legs, as well as other parts of the person like their head). The flexible stretcher portion may be made of any suitable flexible material, such as plastic sheet, fabric, canvas or the like. The flexible stretcher portion may comprise a handle (or handles) for facilitating the lifting of the apparatus with a person laying in the supine position. For example, the flexible stretcher portion may comprise two handles positioned proximate to the person’s head (for supporting the person’s head during transportation) and / or comprise two handles positioned proximate to the person’s legs (for supporting the person’s legs during transportation). The handles may be placed on opposite lateral edges of the apparatus / flexible stretcher portion. The flexible stretcher portion may be configured to fold away and / or be stored in the backboard. The flexible stretcher portion may be detachable and attachable to the backboard. Advantageously, such a configuration of stiff backboard and flexible stretcher portion provides improved handling of the apparatus while a person is positioned on the backboard, such as when the person needs to be moved (e.g., picked up and moved to an ambulance or to another place). The configuration may also provide a more comfortable handling experience to the person.

[0030] The support structure (bridge) may comprise an abdominal portion, a first shoulder portion and a second shoulder portion, wherein the first shoulder portion and the second shoulder portion are attached or attachable to the backboard past the person’s clavicles and the abdominal portion is attached or attachable to the backboard beyond the person’s crotch. Advantageously, such an arrangement provides a simple three-piece Y-shaped configuration of the support structure (bridge) and provides good access to the person’s sides. The first shoulder portion and the second shoulder portion may each comprise a straight horizontal component, the two straight horizontal components being parallel. The two straight horizontal components may comprise the rail for facilitating longitudinal movement of the compressor frame (and hence the chest-compressor).

[0031] The abdominal portion is attached or attachable to the backboard at a laterally central region. Advantageously, such a central position (e.g., between the person’s legs) locates the support structure (bridge) centrally along the longitudinal axis. This results in less obstruction of the sides, as well as offering the improved positioning of the chest-compressor above the person’s chest.

[0032] The support structure may comprise two longitudinally spanning portions, each portion having a first end attached or attachable to the backboard past the person’s clavicles (in a head-wise direction) and a second end attached or attachable to the backboard beyond the person’s diaphragm (in a foot-wise direction). Beneficially, providing two rails, each attached to the backboard at two (spaced apart) places results in an improved stability of the support structure for the chest-compressor, which has four attachment points between the support structure and the backboard.

[0033] The second ends of each portion may be attached or attachable to the backboard on each side of the person’s abdomen or pelvis. Beneficially, a second attachment at this (lower) position (i.e., spaced away from the person’s chest further down the person’s body towards their feet), provides good access to the person’s sides while maintaining good stability of the chest-compressor.

[0034] The two portions may be parallel and span longitudinally along the backboard. Such parallel portions provide side guides and rails for the person to be positioned between and provide parallel guides for the positioning of the chest-compressor.

[0035] The two portions may be attached or attachable to the backboard at laterally peripheral regions, optionally, at laterally opposite regions.

[0036] The support structure may have a height of more than about 10cm above the backboard (i.e., the clearance between the backboard and the bottom edge of the longitudinal portions of the support structure may be of about 10cm), to allow access to the side of the person’s chest with equipment. The height may be more, for example, more than 15cm, more than 17cm, or more than 18cm. The height may also be larger, for example, more than 30cm in configurations where the compressor frame extends in a substantially horizontal configuration to support the chest-compressor rather than an inclined configuration. The apparatus may comprise a laterally central crotch guide configured to extend vertically upwards from the backboard at a position between the person’s legs. Beneficially, such a crotch guide prevents the longitudinal movement (relative longitudinal movement) of the person down the backboard by providing a stop. This prevents the person from moving away from the optimal position of the chest-compressor, for example, during chest compressions.

[0037] The crotch guide is slidably disposed in a backboard rail permitting longitudinal movement of the crotch guide relative to the backboard during set-up of the apparatus. This allows a user to configure the exact position of the crotch guide, and thus accommodate a wide range of person’s heights (e.g., from child to tall adult).

[0038] The two longitudinally spanning portions may comprise a connection means for rigidly attaching the portions to the backboard. The connection means may permit rotational movement of the two portions relative to the backboard. Advantageously, the connection means (e.g., hinged connections means) allow the portions to fold into or away from the backboard providing a compact apparatus. The connection means may be removable, permitting the portions to be detached and attached to the backboard.

[0039] The second ends of the two portions may be attached or attachable to the backboard in a region between the person’s arms and the person’s pelvis. Beneficially, this provides a compact configuration of the apparatus (e.g., the backboard does not need to span the whole length of the person) while maintaining a good access to the person’s sides (i.e., still providing a configuration where there are no components of the support structure in a region between the person’s arms and chest, to allow access to the sides of the person’s chest).

[0040] The support structure (bridge) may comprise telescopic components, configured to extend and contract the support structure vertically (i.e., away and towards the backboard) and / or horizontally (i.e., longitudinally along the backboard). Advantageously, telescopic components should allow the apparatus to accommodate a wide range of sizes of people, while providing a light-weight portable support structure for a chest-compressor. The support structure may be extendible and retractable from the backboard to adjust the height of the chest-compressor and the piston thereof to a particular height above the person’s chest. The vertical distance from the piston to the backboard may be adjusted in a range from 12cm to 40cm. Beneficially, the apparatus can be adjusted to fit people with smaller chest diameters (e.g., a child) and to fit people with larger chest diameters (e.g., obese people).

[0041] The support structure in the form of tubes may advantageously provide handles for the apparatus to be held by, picked up by, and carried by.

[0042] Viewed from another aspect, the apparatus may be summarised as, a chestcompression apparatus for cardiopulmonary resuscitation comprising a bridge configured to span over a person’s chest and to hold a chest compressor over the person’s chest in use when the person is in a supine position, and a chest compressor mounted (or mountable) on the bridge, wherein the bridge is configured to span longitudinally over the person’s chest from at least a region above the person’s pelvis to at least a region above the person’s clavicles when the person is in the supine position.

[0043] This aspect may optionally include any of the optional features discussed above in relation to the previous aspects, individually or in any reasonable combination. For example, the bridge may comprise an abdominal portion, a first shoulder portion and a second shoulder portion, the portions optionally being curved to define an arched support over the person for the chest compressor. The abdominal portion, the first shoulder portion and the second shoulder portion may provide a Y-shaped support when viewed from above, the bridge being arranged to hold up a motor of the chest compressor in a position above the person’s chest. The chest-compression apparatus may comprise a backboard configured to support a person’s back when the person is in a supine position, the backboard being configured to extend longitudinally under the person in the supine position from at least under their shoulders to at least under their pelvis. Optionally one or more of the abdominal portion, the first shoulder portion and the second shoulder portion of the bridge are configured to attach to the backboard. Optionally, this aspect may comprise any of the optional features described in the clauses appended to the description.

[0044] Figures

[0045] Certain embodiments and configurations will now be described, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0046] Figure 1 is a schematic top-view of a chest-compression apparatus with a first Y- shaped configuration;

[0047] Figure 2 shows a schematic side-view of the chest-compression apparatus of Figure 1 from the side.

[0048] Figure 3 is a schematic top-view of a chest-compression apparatus with a second Y- shaped configuration;

[0049] Figure 4 shows a schematic side-view of the chest-compression apparatus of Figure 3;

[0050] Figure 5 is a schematic top-view of a chest-compression apparatus with a parallel configuration;

[0051] Figure 6 shows a schematic side-view of the chest-compression apparatus of Figure 5;

[0052] Figure 7 shows a perspective view of the chest-compression apparatus of Figures 5-

[0053] 6;

[0054] Figure 8 shows a top-view of the chest-compression apparatus of Figure 7; and Figure 9 shows a side-view of the chest-compression apparatus of Figure 7.

[0055] Detailed Description

[0056] Three exemplary configurations will now be described in more detail. The same reference numerals have been used to describe similar features. Features from one configuration can be used in connection with another configuration and vice versa even if not expressly mentioned and accordingly are interchangeable where appropriate.

[0057] Configuration 1 (Figures 1 and 2)

[0058] Figure 1 shows a chest-compression apparatus 1 comprising a bridge 2 and a chest compressor 3 positioned above a person in a supine position (i.e. lying down on the person’s back). The bridge 2 comprises three components: an abdominal portion 4 and two shoulder portions 5, 6. The abdominal portion 4 and the two shoulder portions 5, 6 are arranged in a Y-shape as shown in Figure 1. That is, the arrangement of the abdominal portion 4 and the two shoulder portions 5, 6 provides a Y-shaped support when viewed from above (on a person in the supine position). The abdominal portion 4 of the bridge 2 is connected to the two shoulder portions 5, 6 at a first end 4a and attached to a backboard 7 at a second end 4b. The first end 4a of the abdominal portion 4 is positioned above the person’s torso 8 and approximately above the person’s chest 9. The second end 4b of the abdominal portion 4 of the bridge 2 is attached to a backboard 7 between the person’s legs 10, past the person’s pelvis 11 (when starting from the chest 9), i.e., below the person’s crotch 11a. The second end 4b of the abdominal portion 4 is attached to the backboard 7 via an attachment 4c. A first end 5a, 6a of each of the shoulder portion 5, 6 is connected to the abdominal portion 4 and a second end 5b, 6b of each of the shoulder portion 5, 6 is attached to a backboard 7 via an attachment 5c, 6c. The second end 5b, 6b of the shoulder portions 5, 6 is attached to the backboard 7 via the attachment 5c, 6c past the person’s shoulders 12a (when starting from the chest 9), with each shoulder portion 5, 6 being attached to the backboard 7 on either side of the person’s head 13. In this configuration, the bridge 2 spans longitudinally (i.e. in the lengthwise direction of the person) over the person’s chest 9, from at least a region above the person’s pelvis 11 , preferably from between the person’s legs below their crotch 11a, to at least a region above the person’s clavicle bones 12, preferably over the top of the person’s shoulder 12a.

[0059] The arrangement of Figure 1 shows that the chest-compression apparatus 1 is attached to the backboard 7 in three places: between the person’s legs, past the top of one shoulder and past the top of the other shoulder. The widest point of the chest-compression apparatus 1 may be at the attachment points 5c, 6c of the shoulder portions 5, 6 to the backboard 7. In this way, there may be no components of the chest-compression apparatus 1 which attach to the backboard 7 in any region between the person’s chest 9 and the person’s arms 15. This provides clear and unhindered access to the majority of the chest 9 and preferably of the torso 8 (chest, abdomen, pelvic area). Furthermore, much larger chest and abdominal circumferences can be more easily accommodated by the chestcompression apparatus 1 of Figure 1 where the bridge 2 does not require attachment access to the backboard 7 in the area to the side of the person.

[0060] Figure 1 also shows that the person’s body comprises a torso (T), which essentially stretches from the shoulder area to the end of the pelvic area. The torso (also referred to as the trunk) can be defined as the part of the body without the head, neck, arms or legs (i.e. the body without extremities). The torso (T) can be further separated into three sections: chest section (C), abdomen section (A) and pelvic section (P). In Figure 1 , the bridge 2 of the chest-compression apparatus 1 spans the length of the torso (T) in the longitudinal direction of the person body (i.e. the long direction of the bridge 2 is generally parallel to the long direction of the person’s body from head to toe). In other words, the preferred arrangement of the chest-compression apparatus 1 of Figure 1 spans longitudinally over the whole of the torso (T), i.e., the whole of the chest (C), abdomen (A) and pelvis (P) in the longitudinal direction. It is centred over the median plane of the person, allowing access to the left and right lateral areas of the torso (T).

[0061] Figure 2 shows a side view of the preferred chest-compression apparatus 1 of Figure 1 positioned above a person’s body. The chest-compression apparatus 1 (and the bridge 2) spans over the person’s body from a region between the person’s legs 10 (i.e. from a region below the pelvis if the person were to be standing up) to a region between the person’s shoulders 12a and the head 13. In this way, the bridge 2 spans longitudinally over the person’s chest from at least a region above the person’s pelvis to at least a region above the person’s clavicles 12 when the person is in the supine position. The bridge 2 can be arched, e.g., through the provision of curved, telescopic shoulder and abdominal portions 5, 6, 4, so as to define an arched support when viewed side on, which is spaced from the chest (C) of the person.

[0062] Figure 2 also shows that the chest compressor 3 comprises a motor unit 30 (i.e., a housing containing a motor) and a plunger 31. In use, the motor unit urges the plunger 31 to move away from the motor unit 30 and the bridge 2 and towards the person’s chest 9 to contact the person’s chest 9 (if not already in contact) and exert compression force on the person’s chest during a first part of a cycle, i.e. a forward stroke. The motor unit 30 also urges the plunger 31 to move away from the chest 9 and back towards the motor unit 30 during a second part of the cycle, i.e. a return stroke. The motor unit 30 is configured to reciprocate the plunger 31 such that a compression force is exerted on the person’s chest 9 repeatedly, at intervals. The repetitive compressive forces result in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) being applied to the person. Decompression forces can also be applied to the person’s chest 9 by the plunger 31 during a return stroke of the plunger 31. The chest compressor 3, as seen in Figure 1 and 2, is mounted on a rail 14 provided on the bridge 2 to allow the position of the chest compressor 3 to be adjusted relative to the bridge 2, e.g., once the bridge has been fitted to the person. The permitted adjustment of the chest compressor 3 may be in the form of a series of discrete positions, for example, through a sprung detent engaging holes at set positions, or may be a continuous path of movement, for example, through a clamping arrangement engaging with the rail 14. The rail 14 may be in the form of a slotted guide member as shown which the plunger 31 can extend through to apply chest compressions on the person.

[0063] Once assembled and fitted to the person, the chest compressor may operate in a known manner, e.g., providing chest compressions of around 5-6 cm, these being delivered to the person’s chest at a rate of least 100 compressions per minute.

[0064] Configuration 2 (Figures 3 and 4)

[0065] Figures 3 and 4 show another configuration of a chest-compression apparatus 1 comprising a support structure 2 (also called a bridge) and a chest compressor 3 positioned above a person in a supine position (i.e., lying down on the person’s back). The support structure / bridge 2 comprises three components: an abdominal portion 4 and two shoulder portions 5, 6. The abdominal portion 4 and the two shoulder portions 5, 6 are arranged in a Y-shape as shown in Figure 3. That is, the arrangement of the abdominal portion 4 and the two shoulder portions 5, 6 provides a Y-shaped support when viewed from above (on a person in the supine position). The Y-shape may comprise rounded sections where each of the three portions 4, 5, 6 leads into the next.

[0066] Figures 3 and 4 also show that the person’s body comprises a torso (T), which essentially stretches from the shoulder area to the end of the pelvic area. The torso (also referred to as the trunk) can be defined as the part of the body without the head, neck, arms or legs (i.e., the body without extremities). The torso (T) can be further separated into three sections: chest section (C), abdomen section (A) and pelvic section (P).

[0067] The abdominal portion 4 of the bridge 2 is connected to the two shoulder portions 5,

[0068] 6 at a first end 4a and attached to a backboard 7 (shown in Figure 4) at a second end 4b. The first end 4a of the abdominal portion 4 is positioned above the person’s torso 8 (also shown as the area marked T) and approximately above the person’s abdomen A and pelvis P. The second end 4b of the abdominal portion 4 of the bridge 2 is attached to a backboard

[0069] 7 between the person’s legs 10, beyond the person’s pelvis 11 (when starting from the chest 9), i.e., below the person’s crotch 11a. The second end 4b of the abdominal portion 4 is attached to the backboard 7 via an attachment 4c (shown in Figure 4). A first end 5a, 6a of each of the shoulder portion 5, 6 is connected to the abdominal portion 4 and a second end 5b, 6b of each of the shoulder portion 5, 6 is attached to a backboard 7 via an attachment 5c, 6c. The second end 5b, 6b of each shoulder portions 5, 6 is attached to the backboard 7 via the attachment 5c, 6c past the person’s shoulders 12a (when starting from the chest 9, C), with each shoulder portion 5, 6 being attached to the backboard 7 on either side of the person’s head 13. In this configuration, the support structure (or bridge) 2 spans longitudinally (i.e., in the lengthwise, foot to head direction of the person) over the person’s chest 9 from at least a region above the person’s pelvis 11 , preferably from between the person’s legs beyond their crotch 11a, to at least a region above the person’s clavicle bones 12, preferably past the top of the person’s shoulder 12a.

[0070] The arrangement of Figure 3 shows that the chest-compression apparatus 1 is attached to the backboard 7 in three places: between the person’s legs, past the top of one shoulder and past the top of the other shoulder. The widest point of the chest-compression apparatus 1 may be at the attachment points 5c, 6c of the shoulder portions 5, 6 to the backboard 7 or may be widest at the first ends 5a, 6a. As shown in Figure 3, the shoulder portions 5, 6 are substantially parallel to each other, and thereby are spaced by a uniform width from the first ends 5a, 6a to the second ends 5b, 6b. Through spanning over the person’s chest in this way, there may be no components of the chest-compression apparatus 1 which attach to the backboard 7 in any region to the side of the person’s chest between the person’s chest 9 / C and the person’s arms 15, and no components of the apparatus 1 which attach to the backboard 7 in any region between the person’s abdomen A and the person’s arms 15. This provides substantially clear and unhindered access to the majority of the chest 9 and preferably to the torso 8 (chest, abdomen, pelvic area). Furthermore, much larger chest and abdominal circumferences can be more easily accommodated by the chest-compression apparatus 1 of Figure 3 where the bridge 2 does not require attachment access to the backboard 7 in the area to the side of the person.

[0071] In Figures 3 and 4, the bridge 2 of the chest-compression apparatus 1 spans the length of the torso (T) in the longitudinal direction of the person body (i.e., the long direction of the bridge 2 is generally parallel to the long direction of the person’s body from head to toe). In other words, the preferred arrangement of the chest-compression apparatus 1 of Figures 3 and 4 spans longitudinally over the whole of the torso (T), i.e., the whole of the chest (C), abdomen (A) and pelvis (P) in the longitudinal direction. It is centred over the median plane of the person, allowing access to the left and right lateral areas of the torso (T).

[0072] Figure 4 shows a side view of the preferred chest-compression apparatus 1 of Figure 3 positioned above a person’s body. The chest-compression apparatus 1 (and the bridge 2) spans over the person’s body from a region between the person’s legs 10, i.e., from a region beyond the pelvis (below the pelvis if the person were to be standing up) to a region between the person’s shoulders 12a and the person’s head 13. In this way, the bridge 2 spans longitudinally over the person’s chest from at least a region above the person’s pelvis to at least a region above the person’s clavicles 12 when the person is in the supine position. The bridge 2 can be arched, e.g., through the provision of curved, telescopic shoulder and abdominal portions 5, 6, 4, so as to define an arched support when viewed side on, which is spaced from the chest (C) of the person. Some parts of each portion may be substantially straight (e.g., in the form of a pipe).

[0073] The chest compressor 3 of Figure 4 comprises a motor unit (i.e. , a housing containing a motor) and a plunger. In use, the motor unit urges the plunger to move away from the motor unit and the bridge 2 and towards the person’s chest 9 to contact the person’s chest 9 (if not already in contact) and exert compression force on the person’s chest during a first part of a cycle, i.e., a forward stroke. The motor unit also urges the plunger to move away from the chest 9 and back towards the motor unit during a second part of the cycle, i.e., a return stroke. The motor unit is configured to reciprocate the plunger such that a compression force is exerted on the person’s chest 9 repeatedly, at intervals (regular intervals). The repetitive compressive forces result in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) being applied to the person. Decompression forces can also be applied to the person’s chest 9 by the plunger during a return stroke of the plunger.

[0074] The chest compressor 3, as seen in Figure 3 and 4, is mounted on two rails 14 provided on the support structure I bridge 2 to allow the longitudinal position of the chest compressor 3 to be adjusted relative to the bridge 2, e.g., once the bridge has been fitted to the backboard 7 around the person. The permitted adjustment of the chest compressor 3 may be in the form of a series of discrete positions, for example, through a sprung detent engaging holes at set positions, or may be a continuous path of movement, for example, through a clamping arrangement engaging with the rail 14. The rail may comprise teeth for engagement with a pawl to provide a ratchet effect.

[0075] Once assembled and fitted to the person, the chest compressor may operate in a known manner, e.g., providing chest compressions of around 5-6 cm, these being delivered to the person’s chest at a rate of least 100 compressions per minute.

[0076] Configuration 3 (Figures 5-9)

[0077] Figures 5 and 6 show a chest-compression apparatus 1 comprising a support structure 2 having two portions 50, 60 and a chest compressor 3 positioned above a person in a supine position (i.e., lying down on the person’s back). The support structure 2 comprises two components: a first portion 50 and a second portion 60. The first portion 50 and the second portion 60 are substantially parallel to each, and together with the chest compressor 3 provide a H-shaped structure when viewed from above (on a person in the supine position). The first end 50a of the first portion 50 is attached to the backboard 7 to the side of the person’s torso, specifically to the side of the person’s abdomen and / or pelvis. The first end 60a of the second portion 60 is attached to the backboard 7 on the other side of the person’s torso, specifically to the side of the person’s abdomen and / or pelvis. The first ends 50a, 60a are attached to the backboard via attachment means 50d, 60d. The second end 50b of the first portion 50 is attached to the backboard 7 past the person’s shoulders 12a (and past the person’s clavicles 12), to one side of the person’s head 13 or neck. The second end 60b of the first portion 60 is attached to the backboard 7 past the person’s shoulders 12a (and past the person’s clavicles 12), on the other side of the person’s head 13 or neck. The second ends 50b, 60b are attached to the backboard 7 via attachment means 50c, 60c.

[0078] The arrangement of Figures 5 and 6 shows that the chest-compression apparatus 1 is attached to the backboard 7 in four places: on the side of the person’s pelvis, on the other side of the person’s pelvis, past the top of one shoulder and past the top of the other shoulder. Similarly, in this way, there may be no components of the chest-compression apparatus 1 which attach to the backboard 7 in any region between the person’s chest 9 and the person’s arms 15, and / or between some of the person’s abdomen and the person’s arms 15. This provides substantially clear and unhindered access to the majority of the chest 9 and preferably of the torso 8 (chest, abdomen, pelvic area). Furthermore, much larger chest and abdominal circumferences can be more easily accommodated by the chestcompression apparatus 1 of Figures 5 and 6, compare to known chest-compression systems.

[0079] The chest-compression apparatus 1 of Figures 3-6 may comprise elements which telescopically extend, and thereby accommodate a variety of sizes. For example, the support structure 2 may be elongated (e.g., telescopically) lengthwise, thereby providing connection to the backboard 7 further down (i.e. , in a direction away from the person’s head), and / or elongate height wise (i.e., in a height direction away from the backboard), thereby varying the distance between the chest compressor 3 and the backboard 7. Beneficially, this arrangement accommodates a larger range of person sizes, while providing a stable support structure 2 for the chest compressor 3. The backboard 7 may comprise a number of connection points, to facilitate a wider range of lengths and distances between all attachment means (e.g., between attachment means 4c, 5c, 6c or attachment means 50c, 50d, 60c, 60d).

[0080] By way of example, the longitudinal distance between the ends of the support structure (e.g., the distance between the first end and the second end of each portion or the distance between the attachment point of the first shoulder portion and the backboard and the attachment point of the abdominal portion and the backboard) may be more than 20cm, for example more than 40cm, or more than 50cm.

[0081] The support structure may have a width (in a lateral direction of the backboard) of more than about 15cm, for example, more than 17.5cm (e.g., the distance between the first shoulder portion and the second shoulder portion or the distance between the first ends of each of the portions).

[0082] Figures 7-9 show the chest-compression apparatus 1 of Figures 5-6 with additional optional features. The apparatus 1 comprises a self-supporting support structure 2 having two portions 50, 60, which are attached to the backboard 7 via attachment means 50c, 60c, 50d, 60d similar to Figures 5-6. Each of the two portions 50, 60 comprises a rail 14 comprising a plurality of teeth or similar formation configured to engage with a corresponding mechanism in a compressor frame 20, for example, a pawl. The combination of the rail and the corresponding mechanism allows the compressor frame 20 (and hence the chest compressor 3) to be guided along the rails 14, such that the longitudinal position of the compressor frame 20 and the chest compressor in relation to the backboard 7 can be adjusted. This allows the operator to position the chest compressor 3 at an optimal longitudinal position above a person’s chest (the person lying on the backboard 7 in a supine position) for providing chest compressions.

[0083] Each of the two portions 50, 60 of the support structure 2 of Figures 7-9 comprises three straight pieces and two curved pieces, illustrated in more detail in Figure 9. The attachment means 60c is connected to a first vertical straight piece 61 (i.e. , substantially vertical in use and at right angle to the longitudinal direction of the backboard 7) which itself is connected to a first curved piece 62. The first curved piece 62 is connected on the other end to a substantially horizontal straight piece 63 which spans in the longitudinal direction of the backboard 7. The horizontal straight piece 63 is connected to a second curved piece 64, which itself is connected to a second substantially vertical straight piece 65. The second vertical straight piece 65 is connected to the attachment means 60d which is connected to the backboard 7. In this way, the two portions 50, 60 provide two U-shaped self-supporting support structure 2 portions which allow the chest compressor 3 to be mounted vertically above a person who is lying on the backboard 7 in a supine position. The portions of Figures 7-9 are made of tubes which provide good support and rigidity while providing low mass, but any suitable structure (e.g., struts, bars, honeycomb members, etc.) may be used to provide a self-supporting support structure 2.

[0084] The attachment means 50c, 60c, 50d, 60d of Figures 7-9 provides pivotal hinge-like movement of the two portions 50, 60 relative to the backboard 7 so that the apparatus can be folded away for storage or transportation by rotating the two portions 50, 60 towards the backboard and storing them in a substantially flat configuration. The two portions 50, 60 can be rotated back to an open configuration before use to provide the self-supporting supporting structure 2 on which the chest compressor 3 is mounted via the compressor frame 20 which is then part of the supporting structure 2. The compressor frame 20 comprises a latch mechanism 21 on either side which cooperates with the teeth of the rail to selective allow and prevent movement of the chest compressor in the longitudinal direction. The compressor frame 20 also comprises frame handles 23 to allow an operator to manipulate the compressor frame 20 and the chest compressor 3. A pivotal connection 24 between the compressor frame 20 and the chest compressor 3 of Figures 7-9 provides selective pivotal movement of the compressor frame 20 relative to the chest compressor 3 so that the compressor frame 20 can be folded away for storage and / or transportation and opened up before use. The pivotal connection 24 may be provided by a hinge, for example, which uses a removable pin to separate the chestcompressor 3 from the respective portion of the compressor frame 20. When in use (i.e., performing automatic CPR), the connection between the compressor frame 20 and the chest compressor is rigid to allow forces to transfer between the chest compressor 3 and the support structure 2 effectively. Any suitable means known in the art for permitting selective movement and selective rigidity of articulated parts may be used.

[0085] The backboard 7 has a head portion 73 for accommodating the head of a person lying on the backboard 7. The backboard 7 also has a crotch guide 74 for restricting relative longitudinal movement of a person on the backboard 7. The crotch guide 74 is laterally central on the backboard 7 (i.e., centrally located relative to the two sides of a person lying on the backboard 7) and positioned on an end of the backboard 7 away from the head portion 73. The crotch guide 74 is slideable in a backboard rail 75 for accommodating longitudinal movement and positioning of the crotch guide 74 relative to the backboard 7 and the person on the backboard 7. The crotch guide 74 comprises a handle 76 for manipulation and a latch for facilitating selective sliding and for preventing movement of the crotch guide 74 in the backboard rail 75 when the chest-compressor is in use, via the use of cooperating teeth or holes.

[0086] In use, the first ends 50b, 60b of the support structure 2 are positioned over a person’s shoulders 12a while the crotch guide 74 is positioned between the person’s legs 10 and just beyond the person’s crotch 11a (just below the person’s crotch 11a if the person was upright) such that the person is ‘caged’ or enclosed by the apparatus 1 thereby restricting substantial (or any) relative longitudinal movement of the person along the backboard 7 and the apparatus 1.

[0087] The backboard rail 75 is open on an end of the backboard 7 for allowing the crotch guide 74 to be slid down and detached from the backboard 7, e.g., for storage, transportation or in an event where it is not needed, or for allowing assembly if the backboard 7 is carried with the crotch guide 74 removed. The following clauses recite features of the chest-compression apparatus and methods which may or may not presently be claimed, but which may serve as basis for amendments and / or one or more divisional applications:

[0088] 1 . A chest-compression apparatus for cardiopulmonary resuscitation, the apparatus comprising: a bridge configured to span over a person’s chest and to hold a chest compressor over the person’s chest when in use on a person in a supine position; and a chest compressor mounted or mountable on the bridge, wherein the bridge is configured to span longitudinally over the person’s chest from at least a region above the person’s pelvis to a region above the person’s clavicles when the person is in the supine position.

[0089] 2. The chest-compression apparatus of clause 1 , wherein the bridge comprises an abdominal portion, a first shoulder portion and a second shoulder portion, the portions optionally being curved to define an arched support over the person for the chest compressor.

[0090] 3. The chest-compression apparatus of clause 2, wherein the abdominal portion, the first shoulder portion and the second shoulder portion provide a Y-shaped support when viewed from above, the bridge being arranged to hold up a motor of the chest compressor in a position above the person’s chest.

[0091] 4. The chest-compression apparatus of clause 2 or 3, wherein the chest-compression apparatus comprises a backboard configured to support a person’s back when the person is in a supine position, the backboard being configured to extend longitudinally under the person in the supine position from at least under their shoulders to at least under their pelvis, wherein optionally one or more and preferably each one of the abdominal portion, the first shoulder portion and the second shoulder portion of the bridge are configured to attach to the backboard.

[0092] 5. The chest-compression apparatus of clause 4, wherein the abdominal portion is configured to attach to the backboard in an area between the person’s legs, and the shoulder portions are configured to attach to a backboard in an area on either side of the person’s neck or head.

[0093] 6. The chest compression apparatus of clause 4 or 5, wherein ends of the abdominal portion and / or the first and second shoulder portions of the bridge are provided with latching parts for latching onto the backboard. 7. The chest-compression apparatus of any preceding clause, wherein the bridge is configured to permit longitudinal adjustment of the chest compressor above the person’s chest relative to the bridge.

[0094] 8. The chest-compression apparatus of clause 7, wherein the bridge comprises a longitudinally extending guide that the chest compressor is mounted to, optionally in the form of a rail, and the guide is configured to permit longitudinal adjustment of the chest compressor relative to the bridge.

[0095] 9. The chest-compression apparatus of any preceding clause, wherein the bridge of the chest-compression apparatus is configured to be transformed from a first compact arrangement for transportation to a second expanded arrangement for use providing chest compressions on the person’s chest.

[0096] 10. The chest-compression apparatus of clause 9, wherein the bridge is configured to unfold and / or telescope from the first compact arrangement into the second expanded arrangement.

[0097] 11. The chest-compression apparatus of any preceding clause, wherein the bridge is configured to hold the chest compressor at a substantially constant height above the person’s chest as a plunger of the chest compressor performs a forward stroke applying a compression force to the person’s chest of up to 500N.

[0098] 12. The chest-compression apparatus of clause 11, wherein the chest compressor is configured to provide active decompression to the person’s chest when the plunger performs a return stroke.

[0099] 13. A method of manufacturing a chest-compression apparatus for cardiopulmonary resuscitation, the method comprising: fabricating a bridge that is configured to span over a person’s chest and to hold a chest compressor over the person’s chest in use when the person is in a supine position, wherein the bridge is configured to span longitudinally over the person’s chest from at least a region above the person’s pelvis to a region above the person’s clavicles when the person is in the supine position; and providing a chest compressor that is mounted or mountable on the bridge for applying compressions to the person’s chest.

[0100] 14. The method of clause 13, wherein the method comprises fabricating a Y-shaped bridge comprising an abdominal portion, a first shoulder portion and a second shoulder portion, wherein ends of the abdominal portion, the first shoulder portion and the second shoulder portion are fitted with latches for attachment to a backboard.

[0101] 15. The method of clause 13 or 14, wherein the bridge is fabricated with portions which fold and / or telescope to allow the bridge to be transformed from a first compact arrangement for transportation to a second expanded arrangement for use on the person.

[0102] 16. The method of clause 13, 14, or 15, wherein the bridge is fabricated with a longitudinally extending guide, optionally in the form of a rail, and the chest compressor is mounted to the rail, the rail being configured to allow longitudinal adjustment of the chest compressor on the bridge.

[0103] 17. A method of fitting a chest-compression apparatus to a person for cardiopulmonary resuscitation, the method comprising: arranging a chest-compression apparatus as described in any of clauses 1 to 12 over a person’s chest, the bridge of the chest-compression apparatus spanning longitudinally over the person’s chest from at least a region above the person’s pelvis to a region above the person’s clavicles when the person is in the supine position; attaching ends of the bridge to a backboard that has been placed under the person; and adjusting a position of the chest compressor with respect to the bridge for applying chest compressions to the person’s chest.

[0104] 18. A method of applying chest compressions using a chest-compression apparatus as described in any of clauses 1 to 12, comprising: operating the chest compressor to cause it to apply chest compressions to a chest of a person, optionally, wherein the person is in the supine position.

[0105] 19. A method as described in clause 18, wherein the chest-compression apparatus is fitted to the person as described in clause 17 before chest compressions are applied to the chest of the person.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A chest-compression apparatus for cardio pulmonary resuscitation, the apparatus comprising: a backboard configured to support a person’s back when the person is in a supine position, the backboard being configured to extend longitudinally under the person in the supine position from at least under their shoulders to at least under their pelvis; a support structure configured to span over an upper region of the person and to hold a chest compressor over the person’s chest when in use on a person in a supine position, wherein the support structure is self-supporting; and a chest-compressor mounted or mountable on the support structure, the support structure being attached or attachable to the backboard for supporting the chest-compressor above the person’s chest, wherein the support structure is configured to attach to the backboard at positions on the backboard that enable the support structure to span longitudinally from at least a region above the person’s diaphragm to a region above the person’s clavicles when the person is in the supine position.

2. The chest-compression apparatus of claim 1, wherein the support structure is configured to attach to the backboard at two positions past the person’s clavicles when the person is in the supine position.

3. The chest-compression apparatus of claim 1 or 2, wherein the support structure comprises a compressor frame connecting the chest-compressor to the support structure, the compressor frame permitting longitudinal movement of the chest-compressor.

4. The chest-compression apparatus of claim 3, wherein the support structure comprises two rails configured to cooperate with the compressor frame for permitting longitudinal movement of the compressor frame along the rails during set-up and for preventing movement of the compressor frame along the rails during operation of the chest compressor.

5. The chest-compression apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the backboard comprises a head portion for accommodating the person’s head when the person is lying on the backboard in the supine position, the head portion extending past the person’s shoulders.

6. The chest-compression apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the support structure comprises an abdominal portion, a first shoulder portion and a second shoulder portion, wherein the first shoulder portion and the second shoulder portion are attached or attachable to the backboard past the person’s clavicles and the abdominal portion is attached or attachable to the backboard beyond the person’s crotch.

7. The chest-compression apparatus of claim 6, wherein the abdominal portion is attached or attachable to the backboard at a laterally central region.

8. The chest-compression apparatus of any one of claim 1-5, wherein the support structure comprises two longitudinally spanning portions, each portion having a first end attached or attachable to the backboard past the person’s clavicles and a second end attached or attachable to the backboard beyond the person’s diaphragm.

9. The chest-compression apparatus of claim 8, wherein the second ends of each portion are attached or attachable to the backboard on each side of the person’s abdomen or pelvis.

10. The chest-compression apparatus of claim 8 or 9, wherein the two portions are parallel and span longitudinally along the backboard.

11. The chest-compression apparatus of claim 8, 9 or 10, wherein the two portions are attached or attachable to the backboard at laterally peripheral regions, optionally, at laterally opposite regions of the backboard.

12. The chest-compression apparatus of any one of claim 8 to 11 , wherein the apparatus comprises a laterally central crotch guide configured to extend vertically upwards from the backboard at a position between the person’s legs.

13. The chest-compression apparatus of claim 12, wherein the crotch guide is slidably disposed in a backboard rail which permits longitudinal movement of the crotch guide relative to the backboard.

14. The chest-compression apparatus of any one of claim 8 to 13, wherein the two longitudinally spanning portions comprise connection means for rigidly attaching the portions to the backboard.

15. The chest-compression apparatus of claim 14, wherein the connection means permit rotational movement of the two portions relative to the backboard.

16. The chest-compression apparatus of any one of claim 8 to 15, wherein the second ends of the two portions are attached or attachable to the backboard in a region between the person’s arms and the person’s pelvis.

17. The chest-compression apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the support structure comprises telescopic components configured to extend and contract the support structure vertically and / or horizontally.

Images