Defibrillator electrode illumination for guidance

Abstract

Various embodiments of the present disclosure encompass a light indicator controller for indicating an operating state of a defibrillation unit, including a defibrillator, electrodes each having an electrode light indicator, and a cable having a cable light indicator. In operation, the light indicator controller determines an operating state of the defibrillation unit and controls illumination of the electrode light indicator and the cable light indicator based on an operating mode of the defibrillator. Illumination of an indicator may indicate standby / activation of the defibrillation unit, application of the electrode to a patient, a cardiac rhythm analysis period or shock delivery being performed by the defibrillator, or an intervention / CPR task being performed by the defibrillator.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to guidance for users operating defibrillators (eg, automated external defibrillators (AEDs), advanced life support (ALS) defibrillators, and basic life support (BLS) defibrillators). The present disclosure specifically relates to visual guidance for users operating defibrillators. Background Art

[0002] Automatic external defibrillators (AEDs) and monitor / defibrillator systems typically use disposable electrodes to deliver therapeutic shocks to patients. The prior art of disposable defibrillator electrodes includes a foam or paper pad with a flexible metal core and a conductive gel that adheres the electrode to the patient during treatment. The electrode contains a printed image and / or graphic label that indicates to the operating user of the defibrillator how to place the electrode on the patient, and may also contain notes and warnings related to such use. The electrode also includes a separate cable connected to the defibrillator device. More specifically, the cable delivers resistance and electrocardiogram (ECG) data from the electrode to the defibrillator, and provides electrical energy from the defibrillator to the electrode to provide a defibrillation shock.

[0003] Several of the most significant issues associated with AEDs are the inexperience of the user, the rapid deterioration of the patient during cardiac arrest, and the safety risks associated with delivering high voltage shocks in a public environment. These challenges are widely recognized and are generally common to all AEDs. The devices are intended to be used by untrained and minimally trained users, so the usability of AED designs needs to encourage users to identify and execute the steps of the treatment workflow as accurately and quickly as possible.

[0004] The effectiveness of an automatic external defibrillator used by an untrained, minimally trained, or trained operator is highly dependent on the speed with which the user can find and deploy the electrodes onto the patient's chest. Once the electrodes are on the patient's chest, the defibrillator analyzes the cardiac rhythm and makes a shock / no-shock decision, and provides audio and / or visual instructions to not touch the patient. If a shock is deemed necessary, the defibrillator prompts the user to press a shock button or automatically initiates a shock. If anyone touches the patient during the shock / no-shock analysis or when delivering a shock, there is a safety risk to the user(s) and bystanders (e.g., an accidental shock) and a safety risk to the patient (e.g., a delay in defibrillation therapy).

[0005] With currently known or commercially available defibrillators, the electrodes and cables have minimal information to guide the user, essentially limited to pad placement diagrams, printed symbols, and printed cautions and warnings, with no dynamic indicators to assist the user. Andrews' U.S. Patent No. 11058866B2 teaches graphic responsive labeling on the electrodes such that an electrochromic layer shows specific printed labels "PERFORM CPR" and "DO NOT CONTACT PATIENT" on the electrodes at appropriate times during a rescue. Although Andrews provides dynamic point-of-use information related only to therapeutic shocks, Andrews relies on the user to read the printed information on the electrodes and does not teach illumination of the electrodes as a point-of-use visual indication of the operating status of the distribution unit. Andrews also does not provide the user with dynamic information during defibrillator turn-on and pad application tasks. Summary of the invention

[0006] The present disclosure relates to a defibrillation unit that employs a defibrillator, electrode(s), and a cable coupling the electrode(s) to the defibrillator, whereby light indicators provided in the electrodes and cables are controlled by logic in a light indicator controller within the defibrillator, electrodes, or an attached device. More specifically, as the defibrillator operates through stages of a therapy workflow, the light indicator controller controls illumination of the electrode(s) and cables via the light indicators to provide a point-of-use visual indication of the operating status of the defibrillation unit, and such control may be synchronized with voice prompts and / or visual displays of the defibrillator to provide instructions to the user and warnings to any bystanders.

[0007] The present disclosure can be exemplarily implemented as follows:

[0008] (1) a defibrillation unit (e.g., as may be incorporated into an automatic external defibrillator and other monitoring / defibrillation systems as known in the art of the present disclosure or contemplated below);

[0009] (2) a light indicator controller for controlling the indication of the operating status of the defibrillator unit; and

[0010] (3) A method executable by the light indicator controller for controlling the indication of an operating status of a defibrillation unit.

[0011] Various defibrillator unit embodiments of the present disclosure encompass a defibrillator, an electrode, and a cable for coupling the electrode to the defibrillator. The electrode includes an electrode light indicator, and the cable includes a cable light indicator. The defibrillator unit embodiments also include a light indicator controller for controlling an indication of an operating state of the defibrillator unit. To this end, the light indicator controller is configured to determine an operating mode of the defibrillator and (2) control illumination of the electrode light indicator and the cable light indicator based on the operating mode of the defibrillator.

[0012] Various light indicator controller embodiments of the present disclosure include a non-transitory machine-readable storage medium encoded with instructions for execution by one or more processors to control the indication of an operating state of an embodiment of a defibrillator unit of the present disclosure. The non-transitory machine-readable storage medium includes instructions for: (1) determining an operating mode of a defibrillator, and (2) controlling illumination of electrode light indicators and cable light indicators based on the operating mode of the defibrillator.

[0013] Various method embodiments of the present disclosure that can be performed by a light indicator controller for controlling an indication of an operating status of an embodiment of a defibrillator unit of the present disclosure involve the light indicator controller (1) determining an operating mode of the defibrillator, and (2) controlling illumination of electrode light indicators and cable light indicators based on the operating mode of the defibrillator.

[0014] According to the following detailed description of various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and claims, the aforementioned exemplary embodiments and other embodiments of the present disclosure and various structures and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent to those skilled in the art. The detailed description and the accompanying drawings are merely illustrative of the present disclosure and are not limiting, and the scope of the present disclosure is defined by the claims and their equivalents. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] The present disclosure will describe exemplary embodiments in detail with reference to the following drawings, in which:

[0016] Figure 1 An exemplary embodiment of a defibrillation unit according to the present disclosure is shown;

[0017] Figure 2 It shows that according to the present disclosure Figure 1 An exemplary embodiment of a defibrillator is shown;

[0018] Figure 3 It shows that according to the present disclosure Figure 1 Exemplary embodiments of electrodes and defibrillators are shown;

[0019] Figure 4 An exemplary embodiment of a medical tablet according to the present disclosure is shown;

[0020] Figure 5 An exemplary embodiment of a flow chart representing a method for indicating using a spot light according to the present disclosure is shown;

[0021] Figure 6 It shows that according to the present disclosure Figure 1 An exemplary embodiment of a light indicator controller;

[0022] Figure 7 It shows that according to the present disclosure Figure 5 An exemplary embodiment of a flowchart in;

[0023] Figure 8A-8D shows exemplary embodiment illumination of electrodes and cables during an electric shock therapy procedure in accordance with the present disclosure; and

[0024] Fig. 9 It shows that according to the present disclosure Figure 6 An exemplary embodiment of a light pointer controller is provided. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] Exemplary embodiments of defibrillation units according to the present disclosure can be applicable to any type of medical procedure involving a therapeutic shock applied to a patient's heart by a defibrillator via electrodes coupled to the defibrillator by cables.

[0026] For purposes of describing and claiming the present disclosure, the term "defibrillator" broadly encompasses any electronic device as known in the art of the present disclosure or contemplated below for providing electrical pulses or shocks to a patient's heart in an attempt to restore normal function of the patient's heart; the term "electrode" broadly encompasses any conductive means as known in the art of the present disclosure or contemplated below for conforming to the patient's body to deliver electrical pulses or shocks from the defibrillator to the patient's heart; and the term "cable" broadly encompasses any conductive connector as known in the art of the present disclosure or contemplated below for coupling (one or more) electrodes to a defibrillator.

[0027] To facilitate understanding of the present disclosure, Figures 1 to 4 The following description of the present invention teaches exemplary embodiments of a defibrillation unit and its various components according to the present disclosure. Figures 1 to 4 With this description, those skilled in the art of the present disclosure will understand how to apply the present disclosure to make and use additional embodiments of defibrillation units and their various components according to the present disclosure.

[0028] refer to Figure 1 , an exemplary defibrillation unit 10 of the present disclosure employs a defibrillator 20 , a pair of electrodes 30 and 40 , and a separate cable having a cable 50 and a cable 60 , wherein the cable 50 couples the defibrillator 20 to the electrodes 30 , and the cable 60 couples the defibrillator 40 to the defibrillator 20 .

[0029] The exemplary defibrillator 20 includes a defibrillation controller 21, a power source 22 (e.g., a battery), sensor(s) / monitor(s) 23, a shock source 24, and indicator(s) / speaker(s) / display(s) 25, as known in the art of the present disclosure. In a training embodiment of the present disclosure, the defibrillator will exclude the shock source 24.

[0030] Exemplary defibrillator controller 21 is programmed with various algorithms for controlling the delivery of a therapeutic shock to the patient's heart when powered by power source 22. Non-limiting examples of such algorithms include algorithms: (1) for detecting and identifying non-shockable rhythms and / or shockable rhythms sensed and monitored by sensor / monitor 23 via electrodes 30 and 40, (2) for managing the charging of shock source 24 prior to a therapeutic shock and managing the discharge of shock source 24 to the patient's heart via electrodes 30 and 40 during a therapeutic shock, and (3) for providing instructions / warnings to the user and any bystanders prior to and / or during a therapeutic shock using indicator(s) / speaker(s) / display(s) 25.

[0031] In practice, according to certain exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, the electrodes 30 and 40 can also include graphics / images 32 as known in the art of the present disclosure or contemplated below for providing instructions to a user of the defibrillation unit 10. Furthermore, in practice, according to certain exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, the electrodes 30 and 40 can include flat audio speakers (not shown) as known in the art of the present disclosure or contemplated below for providing point-of-use audio instructions to a user of the defibrillation unit 10 and / or active flexible displays (not shown) as known in the art of the present disclosure or contemplated below for providing point-of-use video instructions to a user of the defibrillation unit 10.

[0032] Still reference Figure 1 The exemplary defibrillation unit 10 also employs a light indicator controller 70 of the present disclosure for controlling the electrode light indicators 31 of the electrode 30 , the electrode light indicators 41 of the electrode 40 , the cable light indicators 51 of the cable 50 , and the cable light indicators 60 of the cable 60 .

[0033] For purposes of describing and claiming the present disclosure, the term "light indicator" broadly encompasses any type of illumination source or arrangement of illumination sources, as known in the art of the present disclosure or contemplated below, having one or more characteristics that can be varied, such as illumination color, illumination intensity, and illumination modulation functionality.

[0034] In one exemplary embodiment, for example, the light indicator may be a light emitting diode (LED) strategically positioned within or on the electrode or cable for optimal visualization of the illumination of the LED controlled by the light indicator controller 70 .

[0035] In a second exemplary embodiment, for example, the light indicators can be LEDs arranged in strings or geometric shapes and strategically positioned within or on an electrode or cable for optimal visualization of the illumination of the LEDs controlled by the light indicator controller 70 .

[0036] For exemplary embodiments where the LED is located within an electrode or cable, the electrode or cable can be transparent or translucent.

[0037] In practice, according to certain exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, Figure 2 As shown, the light indicator controller 70a can be installed in the defibrillator 20a, whereby the light indicator controller 70a is separate from the defibrillator controller 21 and powered by the power supply 22, or integrated into the defibrillator controller 21. For either exemplary embodiment, the defibrillator 20a can include an interface (not shown) as known in the field of the present disclosure, which is used to facilitate the communication of the defibrillator controller 21, (one or more) sensors / monitors 23 and the shock source 24 with electrodes involved in sensing / monitoring the patient's heart and any therapeutic shocks delivered to the patient's heart. Also for either exemplary embodiment, the defibrillator 20a can also include an additional interface (not shown) as will be understood by those skilled in the art of the present disclosure, which is used to facilitate the powering of the light indicator via the power supply 22 controlled by the light indicator controller 70a.

[0038] Also in practice, according to certain exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, the light indicator controller 70b may be installed in the electrode 30a, such as Figure 3 As shown. For this exemplary embodiment, the defibrillator 20b can include an interface (not shown) as known in the field of the present disclosure for facilitating communication between the defibrillator controller 21, (one or more) sensors / monitors 23 and the shock source 24 and electrodes involved in sensing / monitoring the patient's heart and any therapeutic shocks delivered to the patient's heart. Also for this exemplary embodiment, the defibrillator 20b can also include an additional interface (not shown) as will be understood by those skilled in the art of the present disclosure for facilitating powering of the light indicator via the power source 22 controlled by the light indicator controller 70b.

[0039] In addition, in practice, according to certain exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, the light indicator controller 70c may be installed in the medical tablet 80, such as Figure 4 As shown. For this exemplary embodiment, the defibrillator 20c can include an interface (not shown) as known in the field of the present disclosure, which is used to facilitate the communication of the defibrillation controller 21, (one or more) sensors / monitors 23 and the shock source 24 with the electrodes involved in sensing / monitoring the patient's heart and any therapeutic shocks delivered to the patient's heart. Also for this exemplary embodiment, the defibrillator 20c can also include an additional wired / wireless interface (not shown) as will be understood by those skilled in the art of the present disclosure, which is used to facilitate the powering of the light indicator via the power supply 22 controlled by the light indicator controller 70b. This exemplary embodiment is particularly useful when different types of electrodes can be coupled to the defibrillator 20c.

[0040] Figure 5A flowchart 90 is shown representing an exemplary method of using a point light indication of the present disclosure, which method can be used to indicate a defibrillation unit (e.g., Figure 1 The light indicator controller 70 of the operating status of the defibrillator unit 10 is executed.

[0041] refer to Figure 5 According to certain exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, stage S92 of flowchart 90 includes the light indicator controller 70 determining via communication from or integrated in a defibrillator controller that the defibrillator (e.g., Figure 1 The defibrillator 20 has an operating mode. In practice, a series of operating modes of the defibrillator can depend on, for example, the workflow of the treatment applied to the patient's heart.

[0042] In one exemplary workflow example, shock therapy includes an initiation phase to an electrode application phase to a cardiac rhythm analysis / shock delivery phase to an intervention phase (eg, to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)).

[0043] In a second workflow exemplary embodiment, shock therapy includes a standby / startup phase to an electrode application phase to a cardiac rhythm analysis / shock delivery phase to an intervention phase (eg, CPR, ventilation, etc.).

[0044] Still reference Figure 5 According to certain exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, stage S94 of flowchart 90 includes light indicator controller 70 controlling illumination of electrode light indicator(s) and cable light indicator(s) based on the operating mode of the defibrillator queried in stage S92. In practice, illumination for each operating mode of the defibrillator can be based on various characteristics of electrode light indicator(s) and cable light indicator(s). Non-limiting examples of such characteristics include color, intensity, and modulation.

[0045] In such Figure 6In one exemplary embodiment shown, for example, stage S94 has four types of illumination 170. The first illumination type is standby / activation illumination 171 having (one or more) different colors, (one or more) different intensities, and / or (one or more) different modulations, which indicates deactivation (standby) and / or activation (activation) of the defibrillator when electrodes are coupled to the defibrillator. The second illumination type is electrode application illumination 172 having (one or more) different colors, (one or more) different intensities, and / or (one or more) different modulations, which indicates that the defibrillator has detected that electrodes have been applied to the patient. The third illumination type is therapy alert illumination 173 having (one or more) different colors, (one or more) different intensities, and / or (one or more) different modulations (e.g., color changes, intensity changes, frequency changes), which indicates cardiac rhythm analysis and / or shock delivery performed by the defibrillator. The fourth illumination type is user intervention illumination 174 having (one or more) different colors, (one or more) different intensities, and / or (one or more) different modulations, which indicates that user intervention (e.g., ECG monitoring of CPR or ventilation) is being monitored by the defibrillator.

[0046] Figure 7 It shows that the Figure 6 Flowchart 110 of the method for using a point light indication of the lighting type 170 of the present disclosure.

[0047] refer to Figure 7 According to certain exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, stage S112 of flowchart 110 includes light indicator controller 70 determining whether the defibrillator is in standby mode (deactivating electrodes coupled thereto) or in activation mode (activating electrodes coupled thereto). If it is determined during stage S112 that the defibrillator is in standby mode, light indicator controller 70 proceeds to stage S114 of flowchart S110 to control standby illumination of electrode light indicators (not shown) and cable light indicators of different colors over the length of the light indicator (e.g., illumination of blue of all LEDs throughout the light indicator), such as Fig. 8A The light indicator is shown with standby illumination 180 .

[0048] Thereafter, if the defibrillator is determined to be transitioning from the standby mode to the activation mode during stage S112, the light indicator controller 70 returns to stage S114 of the flowchart 110 to control activation illumination of the electrode light indicators (not shown) and the cable light indicators in different colors and patterns (e.g., illumination of all alternating blue LEDs throughout the light indicator), e.g., as Fig. 8A The activation illumination of the light indicator is shown 181. Thus, the user of the defibrillator has a visual cue that the defibrillator is fully activated.

[0049] An exemplary stage S116 of the flowchart 110 includes the light indicator controller 70 determining whether the electrodes have been applied to the patient. If so, the light indicator controller 70 proceeds to stage S118 of the flowchart 110 to control the electrode light indicators and the cable light indicators to illuminate the electrodes in different colors over the length of the light indicators (e.g., illumination of green for all LEDs throughout the light indicator), for example, Figure 8B The light indicator is shown illuminated 182. Thus, the user of the defibrillator has a visual cue that the defibrillator is ready to deliver shock therapy.

[0050] An exemplary stage S120 of flowchart 110 includes light indicator controller 70 determining whether the defibrillator controller is performing a cardiac rhythm analysis. If so, light indicator controller 70 proceeds to stage S122 of flowchart 110 to control the illumination of therapy alerts of different colors of electrode light indicators and cable light indicators over the length of the light indicators (e.g., illumination of red for all LEDs throughout the light indicator), such as Figure 8C The light indicator shown is illuminated 183. During stage S122 of flowchart 110, light indicator controller 70 determines whether the defibrillator controller is administering shock therapy while light indicator controller 70 still controls the therapy alert illumination of the electrode light indicators and cable light indicators. Thus, the defibrillator user and bystanders have a visual cue to back away from the patient when shock therapy is being administered.

[0051] When the safety period after shock delivery expires, the light indicator controller 70 proceeds to stage S126 of flowchart 120 to control the user intervention illumination of the electrode light indicators and the cable light indicators over the length of the light indicators in different colors (e.g., illumination of yellow of all LEDs throughout the light indicator), e.g., Fig.8D User intervention illumination of the light indicator is shown 184. Thus, the user of the defibrillator (and / or other person) can have a visual cue that it is now safe to perform intervention (e.g., CPR or ventilation), and can continue to do so until, for example, the light indicator controller controls another therapy alert illumination of the light indicator.

[0052] In the practice of user intervention illumination of the light indicator according to certain exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, the light indicator controller 70 can modulate the light indicator at a frequency that guides the intervention (eg, at a desired CPR rate).

[0053] In order to facilitate further understanding of the present disclosure, Fig. 9 The following description teaches exemplary embodiments of a light indicator controller according to the present disclosure. Fig. 9With this description, those skilled in the art of the present disclosure will understand how to apply the present disclosure to make and use additional embodiments of the light indicator controller according to the present disclosure.

[0054] refer to Fig. 9 , shows an exemplary embodiment of a light indicator controller 270, which includes (one or more) processors 271, a memory 272, a user interface 273, a network interface 274 and a storage device 275 interconnected via (one or more) system buses 276.

[0055] Each processor 271 may be any hardware device capable of executing instructions stored in memory 272 or storage or otherwise processing data as known in the art of the present disclosure or contemplated below. In a non-limiting example, the processor(s) 271 may include a microprocessor, a field programmable gate array (FPGA), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or other similar device.

[0056] Memory 272 can include various memories, as known in the art of the present disclosure or contemplated below, including but not limited to L1, L2 or L3 cache or system memory. In non-limiting examples, memory 272 can include static random access memory (SRAM), dynamic RAM (DRAM), flash memory, read-only memory (ROM), or other similar memory devices.

[0057] User interface 273 can include one or more devices such as known in the field of the present disclosure or contemplated below for enabling communication with a user such as an administrator. In a non-limiting example, the user interface can include a command line interface or a graphical user interface that can be presented to a remote terminal via network interface 274.

[0058] The network interface 274 can include one or more devices, such as those known in the art of the present disclosure or contemplated below, for enabling communication of other components of the medical device. In a non-limiting example, the network interface 274 can include a network interface card (NIC) configured to communicate according to the Ethernet protocol. In addition, the network interface 274 can implement a TCP / IP stack for communicating according to the TCP / IP protocol. Various alternative or additional hardware or configurations of the network interface 274 will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

[0059] The storage device 275 can include one or more machine-readable storage media, as known in the art of the present disclosure or contemplated below, including but not limited to read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic disk storage media, optical storage media, flash memory devices, or similar storage media. In various non-limiting embodiments, the storage device 275 can store instructions for execution by (one or more) processors 271 or data that (one or more) processors 271 can operate on. For example, the storage device 275 can store a basic operating system for controlling various basic operations of the hardware.

[0060] The storage device 275 can also store application programs in the form of executable software / firmware for implementing the functions described previously in this disclosure. Figure 5 and Figure 7 In one exemplary embodiment shown, for example, the storage device 275 is also capable of storing an application 277 that includes a state monitoring subroutine 278 for implementing an embodiment of stage S92 of flowchart 90 and an indicator lighting subroutine 279 for implementing an embodiment of stage S94 of flowchart 90.

[0061] Additional embodiments of the invention include, for example: illuminating the pull tabs on the electrodes, for example, to guide the user to the pull tabs rather than accidentally pulling them from the bottom; illuminating the calibrator and cable of a CPR feedback calibrator placed on the patient's chest; and / or illuminating the electrode housing or box (not just the electrode itself), as this can more effectively draw the user to the electrode during the first part of the workflow than lighting on the electrode itself.

[0062] refer to Figures 1 to 9 , those skilled in the art of the present disclosure will appreciate the many benefits of the present disclosure, including but not limited to:

[0063] For example, the time from defibrillator activation to electrode application is typically the longest duration task in the treatment workflow and is the duration most affected by user experience level. One benefit of the present disclosure is a faster time from defibrillator activation to electrode application, which is expected to improve patient outcomes.

[0064] By further example, another benefit of the present disclosure is faster time from electrode application to cardiac rhythm analysis and shock delivery. Electrode and cable light indicators build user confidence during treatment workflow and reduce possible errors by rewarding actions (e.g., defibrillator activation, paddle application) with visual feedback to motivate subsequent actions.

[0065] By further example, another benefit of the present disclosure is clearer communication to the user by enhancing the visual and audio indicators on the defibrillator device with dynamic visual indicators at the point of use where the user is viewing. The electrode and cable lights provide an additional auxiliary interface to assist the user in situations where the device audio is not working or is ineffective due to ambient noise. Since defibrillators are often used in busy and noisy environments, such as airports and shopping malls, dynamic visual indicators at the point of use represent a significant improvement over the prior art.

[0066] By further example, another benefit of the present disclosure is that in situations with multiple users, the electrode and cable light indicators more effectively convey information to users who are not near the defibrillator (e.g., a user delivering CPR to a patient). This reduces the safety risk of shocking users and bystanders through contact with the patient. For example, clear visual instructions at the point of use not to contact the patient will reduce the possibility of user injury due to confusion or incoordination between users.

[0067] In addition, as will be understood by those skilled in the art in view of the teachings provided herein, the structures, elements, components, etc. described in the present disclosure / specification and / or depicted in the drawings and / or narrated in the claims can be implemented in various combinations of hardware and software, and provide functions that can be combined in a single element or multiple elements. For example, the functions of the various structures, elements, components, etc. shown / illustrated / depicted in the drawings and / or narrated in the claims can be provided by using dedicated hardware and hardware capable of executing software in association with appropriate software for additional functions. When provided by a processor, the functions can be provided by a single dedicated processor, a single shared processor, or multiple separate processors, some of which can be shared and / or reused. In addition, the explicit use of the term "processor" or "controller" should not be interpreted as specifically referring to hardware capable of executing software, and may implicitly include, but is not limited to, digital signal processor ("DSP") hardware, memory (e.g., read-only memory ("ROM"), random access memory ("RAM"), non-volatile storage device, etc. for storing software) and almost any device and / or machine (including hardware, software, firmware, combinations thereof, etc.) capable of (and / or configurable) executing and / or controlling a process.

[0068] In addition, all statements describing the principles, aspects and embodiments of the present invention and its specific examples herein are intended to cover their structural and functional equivalents. In addition, these equivalents are intended to include currently known equivalents and equivalents developed in the future (e.g., any element developed that can perform the same or substantially similar function, regardless of the structure). Therefore, for example, with reference to the teachings provided herein, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that any block diagram presented herein can represent a conceptual diagram of an illustrative system component and / or circuit embodying the principles of the present invention. Similarly, in view of the teachings provided herein, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that any flow chart, flow chart, etc. can represent various processes that can be substantially represented in a computer-readable storage medium and therefore performed by a computer, a processor, or other devices having processing capabilities, regardless of whether such a computer or processor is explicitly shown.

[0069] Having described preferred and exemplary embodiments of various and many inventions of the present disclosure (which embodiments are intended to be illustrative and not restrictive), it should be noted that modifications and variations can be made by those skilled in the art based on the teachings provided herein (including the drawings). Therefore, it should be understood that changes can be made to the preferred and exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, and these changes are within the scope of the embodiments disclosed and / or claimed herein.

[0070] In addition, it is contemplated that corresponding and / or related systems incorporated into and / or implementing the device / system, or used / implemented in / with the device according to the present invention are also contemplated and considered to be within the scope of the present invention. In addition, corresponding and / or related methods for making and / or using the device and / or system according to the present disclosure are also contemplated and considered to be within the scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A defibrillation unit comprising: Defibrillator; an electrode including an electrode light indicator; a cable configured to couple the electrode to the defibrillator, wherein the cable includes a cable light indicator; and a light indicator controller for controlling the indication of the operating status of the defibrillation unit, wherein the light indicator controller is configured to: determining an operating mode of the defibrillator; and Illumination of the electrode light indicators and the cable light indicator is controlled based on the operating mode of the defibrillator.

2. The defibrillation unit according to claim 1, wherein: The light indicator controller is configured to control illumination of the electrode light indicators and the cable light indicators based on the operating mode of the defibrillator including: The light indicator controller is configured to control standby / activation illumination of the electrode light indicators and the cable light indicators, the standby / activation illumination indicating at least one of deactivation or activation of the defibrillator when electrodes are coupled to the defibrillator via a cable.

3. The defibrillation unit according to claim 1, wherein: The light indicator controller is configured to control illumination of the electrode light indicators and the cable light indicators based on the operating mode of the defibrillator including: The light indicator controller is configured to control application illumination of the electrode light indicators and the cable light indicator, the application illumination indicating detection by the defibrillator that the electrodes are being applied to a patient.

4. The defibrillation unit according to claim 1, wherein: The light indicator controller is configured to control illumination of the electrode light indicators and the cable light indicators based on the operating mode of the defibrillator including: The light indicator controller is configured to control therapy alert illumination of the electrode light indicators and the cable light indicators, the therapy alert illumination indicating that at least one of cardiac rhythm analysis or shock delivery is being performed by the defibrillator.

5. The defibrillation unit according to claim 1, wherein: The light indicator controller is configured to control illumination of the electrode light indicators and the cable light indicators based on the operating mode of the defibrillator including: The light indicator controller is configured to control intervention illumination of the electrode light indicators and the cable light indicators, the intervention illumination indicating that intervention monitoring is being performed by the defibrillator.

6. The defibrillation unit of claim 1 , wherein the light indicator controller is further configured to: Based on the operating mode of the defibrillator, illumination of at least one of a pull tab on the electrode, a CPR feedback scaler, or an electrode housing or case is controlled.

7. A light indicator controller for controlling an indication of an operating state of a defibrillator unit, the defibrillator unit comprising a defibrillator, electrodes having electrode light indicators, and a cable having a cable light indicator, the light indicator controller comprising: A non-transitory machine-readable storage medium encoded with instructions for execution by at least one processor, the non-transitory machine-readable storage medium comprising the instructions for: determining said operating state of the defibrillator; and Illumination of the electrode light indicators and the cable light indicators is controlled based on an operating mode of the defibrillator.

8. The light pointer controller according to claim 7, wherein: The instructions for controlling illumination of the electrode light indicators and the cable light indicators based on the operating mode of the defibrillator include instructions for: Controlling standby / activation illumination of the electrode light indicator and the cable light indicator, the standby / activation illumination indicating at least one of deactivation or activation of the defibrillator when electrodes are coupled to the defibrillator via a cable.

9. The light pointer controller according to claim 7, wherein: The instructions for controlling illumination of the electrode light indicators and the cable light indicators based on the operating mode of the defibrillator include instructions for: Controlling the application illumination of the electrode light indicator and the cable light indicator, the application illumination indicating detection by the defibrillator that the electrodes are being applied to a patient.

10. The light pointer controller according to claim 7, wherein: The instructions for controlling illumination of the electrode light indicators and the cable light indicators based on the operating mode of the defibrillator include instructions for: Controlling therapy alert illumination of the electrode light indicators and the cable light indicators, the therapy alert illumination indicating that at least one of cardiac rhythm analysis or shock delivery is being performed by the defibrillator.

11. The light pointer controller according to claim 7, wherein: The instructions for controlling illumination of the electrode light indicators and the cable light indicators based on the operating mode of the defibrillator include instructions for: Controlling intervention illumination of the electrode light indicator and the cable light indicator, the intervention illumination indicating that intervention monitoring is being performed by the defibrillator.

12. The light pointer controller according to claim 7, wherein: The light indicator controller is further configured to: Based on the operating mode of the defibrillator, illumination of at least one of a pull tab on the electrode, a CPR feedback scaler, or an electrode housing or case is controlled.

13. A method executable by a light indicator controller for controlling an indication of an operational status of a defibrillation unit, the defibrillation unit comprising a defibrillator, electrodes having electrode light indicators, and a cable having a cable light indicator, the method comprising: determining, by the light indicator controller, a mode of operation of the defibrillator; as well as Illumination of the electrode light indicators and the cable light indicator is controlled by the light indicator controller based on the operating mode of the defibrillator.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein: Controlling, by the light indicator controller, illumination of the electrode light indicators and the cable light indicators based on the operating mode of the defibrillator comprises: Standby / activation illumination of the electrode light indicators and the cable light indicators is controlled by the light indicator controller, the standby / activation illumination indicating at least one of deactivation or activation of the defibrillator when electrodes are coupled to the defibrillator via a cable.

15. The method according to claim 13, wherein: Controlling, by the light indicator controller, illumination of the electrode light indicators and the cable light indicators based on the operating mode of the defibrillator comprises at least one of: Controlling, by the light indicator controller, application illumination of the electrode light indicator and the cable light indicator, the application illumination indicating that the defibrillator detects that the electrodes are being applied to the patient; controlling, by the light indicator controller, therapy alarm illumination of the electrode light indicators and the cable light indicators, the therapy alarm illumination indicating that at least one of cardiac rhythm analysis or shock delivery is being performed by the defibrillator; or Intervention illumination of the electrode light indicators and the cable light indicators is controlled by the light indicator controller, the intervention illumination indicating that intervention monitoring is being performed by the defibrillator.

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