Defibrillator electrode illumination for guidance

Abstract

Various embodiments of the present disclosure include a defibrillator, electrodes each having an electrode optical indicator, and cables each having a cable optical indicator, and an optical indicator controller for indicating the functional state of a defibrillation unit. During operation, the optical indicator controller checks the operating mode of the defibrillation unit and controls the illumination of the electrode optical indicator and the cable optical indicator based on the operating mode of the defibrillator. The illumination of these indicators represents the standby / startup of the defibrillation unit, the attachment of the electrodes to the patient, the heartbeat rhythm analysis or shock delivery being performed by the defibrillator, or the intervention / CPR task being performed by the defibrillator.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to guidance for operating users of defibrillators (e.g., automated external defibrillators (AEDs), advanced life support (ALS) defibrillators, and basic life support (BLS) defibrillators). The present disclosure particularly relates to visual guidance for operating users of defibrillators.

Background Art

[0002] Automated external defibrillators (AEDs) and monitor / defibrillator systems generally use disposable electrodes to deliver therapeutic shocks to a patient. The current state-of-the-art for disposable defibrillator electrodes includes a foam or paper pad having a flexible metal core and a conductive gel for attaching the electrodes to the patient during treatment. The electrodes include printed image labels and / or graphic labels that indicate to the operating user of the defibrillator how the electrodes should be placed on the patient, and may further include cautions and warnings regarding such use. The electrodes also include a bifurcated electrical cable for connecting to the defibrillator device. More specifically, this cable delivers electrical resistance and electrocardiogram (ECG) data from the electrodes to the defibrillator and supplies electrical energy from the defibrillator to the electrodes to deliver a defibrillation shock.

[0003] Some of the most significant problems associated with AEDs are lack of user experience, rapid deterioration of the patient during cardiac arrest, and safety risks associated with delivering high-voltage shocks in a public place. These issues are widely recognized and are generally common to all AEDs. The devices are intended to be used by untrained and minimally trained users, and thus, the ease of use of AED design needs to prompt the user to identify and perform the steps of the treatment workflow as accurately and quickly as possible.

[0004] The effectiveness of an automated external defibrillator used by an untrained, minimally trained, or trained operator depends largely on the speed at which the user can find the electrodes and place them on the patient's chest. Once the electrodes are on the patient's chest, the defibrillator analyzes the heart rhythm, makes a shock-necessary / shock-not-necessary decision, and provides voice and / or visual instructions without touching the patient. If a shock is deemed necessary, the defibrillator prompts the user to press the shock button or automatically initiates the shock. During the shock-necessary / shock-not-necessary analysis period or if someone touches the patient while a shock is being delivered, there are safety risks to the user and people nearby (e.g., unintentional electrical shock), as well as to the patient (e.g., delay in defibrillation treatment).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION

[0005] In the case of currently known or commercially available defibrillators, the electrodes and cables have minimal information to guide the user and are basically limited to a placement diagram of the pads, printed symbols, and printed warnings and cautions, without any dynamic indicators to assist the user. U.S. Patent No. 11,058,866 B2 to Andrews teaches responsive label instructions for graphics on the electrodes such that at the appropriate timing during rescue, an electrochromic layer shows specific printed labels on the electrodes such as "Perform CPR" and "Do not touch the patient". Andrews provides dynamic usage point information only for therapeutic shocks, but Andrews does not teach the illumination of the electrodes as a visual indication (indication) at the point-of-use of the functional state of the distribution unit, relying instead on the user to read the printed information on the electrodes. Andrews also does not provide the user with dynamic information when the defibrillator is powered on and during the pad application task.

MEANS FOR SOLVING THE PROBLEM

[0006] The present disclosure relates to a defibrillation unit that uses a defibrillator, electrodes, and a cable that couples the electrodes to the defibrillator, wherein optical indicators provided on the electrodes and the cable are controlled by a logic circuit within an optical indicator controller that is within the defibrillator, the electrodes, or an additional device. More specifically, as the defibrillator operates through a treatment workflow stage, the optical indicator controller controls the illumination of the electrodes and the cable via the optical indicators to provide a visual indication at the point of use of the functional state of the defibrillation unit, and such control can be synchronized with an audio prompt and / or visual display by the defibrillator to give instructions to the user and to give a warning to people nearby.

[0007] The present disclosure, by way of example, (1) A defibrillation unit (e.g., an automated external defibrillator and a defibrillation unit incorporated into other monitoring / defibrillation systems known in the technical field of the present disclosure or considered hereinafter), (2) An optical indicator controller for controlling the display of the functional state of the defibrillation unit, and (3) A method executable by the optical indicator controller for controlling the display of the functional state of the defibrillation unit is embodied as.

[0008] Various embodiments of the defibrillation units of the present disclosure include a defibrillator, electrodes, and a cable for coupling the electrodes to the defibrillator. The electrodes include an electrode optical indicator, and the cable includes a cable optical indicator. Embodiments of the defibrillation unit further include an optical indicator controller for controlling the display of the functional state of this defibrillation unit. For this purpose, the optical indicator controller is configured to (1) confirm the operating mode of the defibrillator and (2) control the illumination of the electrode optical indicator and the cable optical indicator based on the operating mode of the defibrillator.

[0009] Embodiments of various light indicator controllers 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 display of the functional state of an embodiment of the defibrillation unit of the present disclosure. This non-transitory machine-readable storage medium includes (1) instructions for checking the operating mode of the defibrillator, and (2) instructions for controlling the illumination of the electrode light indicator and the cable light indicator based on the operating mode of the defibrillator.

[0010] Embodiments of various methods of the present disclosure executable by a light indicator controller for controlling the display of the functional state of an embodiment of the defibrillation unit of the present disclosure include a light indicator controller that (1) checks the operating mode of the defibrillator and (2) controls the illumination of the electrode light indicator and the cable light indicator based on the operating mode of the defibrillator.

[0011] The above-described exemplary embodiments and other embodiments of the present disclosure, as well as the various structures and advantages of the present disclosure, will become even more apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the claims. The embodiments and drawings for carrying out the invention are not intended to limit the present disclosure but merely to illustrate it, and the scope of the present disclosure is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0012] The present disclosure presents the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the following drawings.

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8A

Figure 8B

Figure 8C

Figure 8D

Figure 9

[0013] Exemplary embodiments of the defibrillation unit according to the present disclosure are applicable to any type of medical treatment including a therapeutic shock applied to a patient's heart by the defibrillator via an electrode coupled to the defibrillator by a cable.

[0014] For purposes of explaining and claiming the present disclosure, the term "defibrillator" broadly includes any electronic device known in the technical field of the present disclosure or contemplated hereinafter for applying an electrical pulse or shock to a patient's heart in an attempt to restore normal function of the patient's heart, the term "electrode" broadly includes any conductive tool known in the technical field of the present disclosure or contemplated hereinafter for conforming to a patient's body to deliver an electrical pulse or shock from a defibrillator to the patient's heart, and the term "cable" broadly includes any conductive connector known in the technical field of the present disclosure or contemplated hereinafter for coupling an electrode to a defibrillator.

[0015] To facilitate understanding of the present disclosure, the following description of FIGS. 1-4 teaches exemplary embodiments of a defibrillation unit and various components thereof according to the present disclosure. From the description of FIGS. 1-4, one of ordinary skill in the art of the present disclosure will understand how to apply the present disclosure and create and use additional embodiments of the defibrillation unit and its various components in accordance with this present disclosure.

[0016] Referring to FIG. 1, an exemplary defibrillation unit 10 of the present disclosure uses a defibrillator 20, a pair of electrodes 30 and 40, and a bifurcated cable having cables 50 that couple the defibrillator 20 to the electrode 30 and cable 60 that couples the defibrillator 40 to the defibrillator 20.

[0017] Exemplary defibrillator 20 includes a defibrillation controller 21, a power source 22 (e.g., a battery), a sensor / monitor 23, a shock source 24, and an indicator / speaker / display 25, as known in the technical field of the present disclosure. In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure for training, the defibrillator excludes the shock source 24.

[0018] When the exemplary defibrillation controller 21 is powered by the power supply 22, it is programmed with various algorithms for controlling the delivery of therapeutic shocks to the patient's heart. Non-limiting examples of such algorithms include: (1) an algorithm for detecting and discriminating shock-unnecessary cardiac rhythms and / or shock-necessary cardiac rhythms detected and monitored by the sensor / monitor 23 via the electrodes 30 and 40; (2) an algorithm for managing the charging of the shock source 24 before a therapeutic shock and discharging the shock source 24 during a therapeutic shock to the patient's heart via the electrodes 30 and 40; and (3) an algorithm for utilizing the indicator / speaker / display 25 to give instructions / warnings to the user and any nearby persons before and / or during a therapeutic shock.

[0019] In fact, in accordance with a particular exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the electrodes 30 and 40 can further include a graphic / image 32 known in the technical field of the present disclosure or contemplated hereinafter for giving instructions to the user of the defibrillation unit 10. Also, in fact, in accordance with a particular exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the electrodes 30 and 40 can include a flat audio speaker (not shown) known in the technical field of the present disclosure or contemplated hereinafter for giving voice instructions to the user of the defibrillation unit 10 at the point of use, and / or an active flexible display (not shown) known in the technical field of the present disclosure or contemplated hereinafter for giving video instructions to the user of the defibrillation unit 10 at the point of use.

[0020] Continuing to refer to FIG. 1, the exemplary defibrillation unit 10 further uses the light indicator controller 70 of the present disclosure to control the electrode light indicator 31 of the electrode 30, the electrode light indicator 41 of the electrode 40, the cable light indicator 51 of the cable 50, and the cable light indicator 61 of the cable 60.

[0021] For purposes of explaining and claiming the present disclosure, the term "optical indicator" broadly encompasses any kind of illumination light source or arrangement of illumination light sources known in the technical field of the present disclosure, or contemplated hereinafter, having one or more changing characteristics such as, for example, the color of illumination, illuminance, and illumination modulation functions.

[0022] In an exemplary embodiment, for example, the optical indicator can be a light-emitting diode (LED), and these LEDs are positioned in or on the electrodes or cables for optimal visualization of the LED illumination, such that they are controlled by an optical indicator controller 70.

[0023] In a second exemplary embodiment, for example, the optical indicator can be an LED, and these LEDs are arranged as a string or in a geometric shape for optimal visualization of the LED illumination, such that they are controlled by an optical indicator controller 70 and are positioned in or on the electrodes or cables.

[0024] In an exemplary embodiment having LEDs positioned within the electrodes or cables, the electrodes or cables can be transparent or translucent.

[0025] In fact, according to certain exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, the optical indicator controller 70a may be installed within the defibrillator 20a as shown in FIG. 2, whereby the optical indicator controller 70a is either separated from the defibrillation controller 21 and powered by the power supply 22 or incorporated into the defibrillation controller 21. In any of the exemplary embodiments, the defibrillator 20a can include an interface (not shown) known in the art of the present disclosure to facilitate communication between the defibrillation controller 21, the sensor / monitor 23, and the shock source 24 with the electrodes for detecting / monitoring the patient's heart and any therapeutic shocks delivered to the patient's heart. Also, in any of the exemplary embodiments, the defibrillator 20a can further include additional interfaces (not shown) as understood by those skilled in the art of the present disclosure to facilitate powering the optical indicator via the power supply 22, which is controlled by the optical indicator controller 70a.

[0026] Also, in fact, according to certain exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, the optical indicator controller 70b may be installed within the electrode 30a as shown in FIG. 3. In this exemplary embodiment, the defibrillator 20b can include an interface (not shown) known in the art of the present disclosure to facilitate communication between the defibrillation controller 21, the sensor / monitor 23, and the shock source 24 with the electrodes for detecting / monitoring the patient's heart and any therapeutic shocks delivered to the patient's heart. Also, in this exemplary embodiment, the defibrillator 20b can further include additional interfaces (not shown) as understood by those skilled in the art of the present disclosure to facilitate powering the optical indicator via the power supply 22, which is controlled by the optical indicator controller 70b.

[0027] Furthermore, in practice, according to certain exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, the optical indicator controller 70c may be installed within the medical tablet 80 as shown in FIG. 4. In this exemplary embodiment, the defibrillator 20c may include an interface (not shown) known in the art of the present disclosure to facilitate communication of the defibrillation controller 21, the sensor / monitor 23, and the shock source 24 with the electrodes for detecting / monitoring the patient's heart and any therapeutic shocks delivered to the patient's heart. Also, in this exemplary embodiment, the defibrillator 20c may further include additional wired / wireless interfaces (not shown) as understood by those skilled in the art of the present disclosure to facilitate powering the optical indicator via the power supply 22, which is controlled by the optical indicator controller 70b. This exemplary embodiment is particularly useful when different types of electrodes are coupled to the defibrillator 20c.

[0028] FIG. 5 shows a flowchart 90 representing a method of optical display at an exemplary point of use of the present disclosure, which is executable by an optical indicator controller 70 for indicating the functional state of a defibrillation unit (e.g., the defibrillation unit 10 of FIG. 1).

[0029] Referring to FIG. 5, according to certain exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, step S92 of flowchart 90 includes an optical indicator controller 70 that checks the operating mode of a defibrillator (e.g., defibrillator 20 of FIG. 1) via communication from the defibrillation controller or is incorporated into the defibrillation controller. In practice, a series of operating modes of the defibrillator can depend, for example, on the workflow of the treatment being performed on the patient's heart.

[0030] In an exemplary embodiment of the first workflow, the shock treatment consists of a startup phase, an electrode application phase, a heart rhythm analysis / shock delivery phase, and an intervention phase (e.g., for performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)).

[0031] In an exemplary embodiment of the second workflow, shock therapy consists of a standby / start phase, an electrode application phase, a heartbeat rhythm analysis / shock delivery phase, and an intervention phase (such as CPR, ventilation, etc.).

[0032] Continuing to refer to FIG. 5, according to a particular exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, step S94 of flowchart 90 includes a light indicator controller 70 that controls the illumination of the electrode light indicator and the cable light indicator based on the operating mode of the defibrillator queried in step S92. In practice, the illumination for each operating mode of the defibrillator can be based on various characteristics of the electrode light indicator and the cable light indicator. Non-limiting examples of such characteristics include color, intensity, and modulation.

[0033] In one exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 6, for example, step S94 has four types of illumination 170. The first type of illumination is a standby / start illumination 171 having a distinct color, distinct intensity, and / or distinct modulation that represents the deactivation (standby) and / or activation (start) of the defibrillator when the electrodes are coupled to the defibrillator. The second type of illumination is an electrode application illumination 172 having a distinct color, distinct intensity, and / or distinct modulation that represents the detection that the electrodes have been applied to the patient by the defibrillator. The third type of illumination is a treatment warning illumination 173 having a distinct color, distinct intensity, and / or distinct modulation (such as a change in color, change in intensity, change in frequency) that represents the heartbeat rhythm analysis and / or shock delivery by the defibrillator. The fourth type of illumination is a user intervention illumination 174 having a distinct color, distinct intensity, and / or distinct modulation that represents user intervention (such as ECG monitoring of CPR or ventilation) being monitored by the defibrillator.

[0034] FIG. 7 shows a flowchart 110 representing a display method at the point of use of the present disclosure based on the illumination types 170 of FIG. 6.

[0035] Referring to FIG. 7, in accordance with a particular exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, step S102 of flowchart 110 includes a light indicator controller 70 that determines whether the defibrillator is in a standby mode (deactivated using the coupled electrodes) or an activation mode (activated using the coupled electrodes). If it is determined during step S102 that the defibrillator is in the standby mode, the light indicator controller 70 proceeds to step S104 of flowchart S110 and controls the standby illumination of the electrode light indicator (not shown) and the cable light indicator with a separate color (e.g., illuminating all the LEDs across the entire light indicator in blue) over the length of the light indicator, such as the standby illumination 180 of the light indicator shown in FIG. 8A.

[0036] Subsequently, if it is determined during step S102 that the defibrillator has transitioned from the standby mode to the activation mode, the light indicator controller 70 returns to step S104 of flowchart 110 and controls the activation illumination of the electrode light indicator (not shown) and the cable light indicator with a separate color and pattern (e.g., illuminating all the LEDs across the entire light indicator alternately in blue), such as the activation illumination 181 of the light indicator shown in FIG. 8A. Thus, the user of the defibrillator receives a visual cue that the defibrillator is fully activated.

[0037] An exemplary step S106 of flowchart 110 includes a light indicator controller 70 that determines whether the electrodes are attached to the patient. If attached, the light indicator controller 70 proceeds to step S108 of flowchart 110 and controls the attachment illumination of the electrode light indicator and the cable light indicator with a separate color (e.g., illuminating all the LEDs across the entire light indicator in green) over the length of the light indicator, such as the attachment illumination 182 of the light indicator shown in FIG. 8B. Thus, the user of the defibrillator receives a visual cue that the defibrillator is ready for shock therapy.

[0038] Exemplary step S110 of flowchart 110 includes a light indicator controller 70 that determines whether the defibrillation controller is performing a heartbeat rhythm analysis. If performing a heartbeat rhythm analysis, the light indicator controller 70 proceeds to step S112 of flowchart 110 and controls the treatment warning illumination of the electrode light indicator and the cable light indicator with a distinct color (e.g., illuminating all LEDs across the light indicator in red) over the length of the light indicator, such as the treatment warning illumination 183 of the light indicator shown in FIG. 8C. During step S112 of flowchart 110, while the light indicator controller 70 still controls the treatment warning illumination of the electrode light indicator and the cable light indicator, the light indicator controller 70 determines whether the defibrillation controller is performing a shock treatment. Thus, the user of the defibrillator and those nearby receive a visual cue to move away from the patient when a shock treatment is being administered.

[0039] When the safety period after shock delivery expires, the light indicator controller 70 proceeds to step S116 of flowchart 120 and controls the user intervention illumination of the electrode light indicator and the cable light indicator with a distinct color (e.g., illuminating all LEDs across the light indicator in yellow) over the length of the light indicator, such as the user intervention illumination 184 of the light indicator shown in FIG. 8D. Thus, the user (and / or other person) of the defibrillator can receive a visual cue at this time that it is safe to perform an intervention (e.g., CPR or ventilation), and can continue to do so, for example, if the light indicator controller controls another treatment warning illumination of the light indicator and until it does so.

[0040] In implementing the user intervention illumination of the light indicator, in accordance with a particular exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the light indicator controller 70 can modulate the light indicator at a frequency that guides the intervention (e.g., modulate at a desired CPR rate).

[0041] To facilitate a further understanding of the present disclosure, the following description of FIG. 9 teaches exemplary embodiments of an optical indicator controller according to the present disclosure. From the description of FIG. 9, those skilled in the art of the present disclosure will understand how to apply the present disclosure and create and use additional embodiments of the optical indicator controller according to this present disclosure.

[0042] Referring to FIG. 9, an exemplary embodiment of an optical indicator controller 270 is shown that 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.

[0043] Each processor 271 can be any hardware device known in the technical field of the present disclosure, or contemplated hereinafter, capable of executing instructions stored in the memory 272 or the storage device, or data to be processed in other ways. In non-limiting examples, the processor 271 can include a microprocessor, a field programmable gate array (FPGA), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or other similar devices.

[0044] The memory 272 can include various memories known in the technical field of the present disclosure, or contemplated hereinafter, including but not limited to L1, L2, or L3 cache or system memory. In non-limiting examples, the memory 272 can include static random access memory (SRAM), dynamic RAM (DRAM), flash memory, read only memory (ROM), or other similar memory devices.

[0045] The user interface 273 can include one or more devices known in the art of the present disclosure or contemplated hereinafter to enable communication with a user, e.g., an administrator who performs administration. In a non-limiting example, the user interface can include a command line interface or a graphical user interface presented to a remote terminal via a network interface 274.

[0046] The network interface 274 can include one or more devices known in the art of the present disclosure or contemplated hereinafter to enable communication with other components of a medical device, for example. In a non-limiting example, the network interface 274 can include a network interface card (NIC) configured to communicate according to the Ethernet (registered trademark) protocol. Further, 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 for the network interface 274 will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

[0047] The storage device 275 can include one or more machine-readable storage media known in the art of the present disclosure or contemplated hereinafter, 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 the processor 271 or data on which the processor 271 operates. For example, the storage device 275 can store a basic operating system (OS) for controlling various basic operations of the hardware.

[0048] As described above in the present disclosure, storage 275 can also store application programs in the form of executable software / firmware to implement various functions of the exemplary methods of FIGS. 5 and 7. In one exemplary embodiment as shown, for example, storage device 275 can store application program 277 including state monitoring subprogram 278 for implementing the embodiment of step S92 of flowchart 90 and indicator lighting subprogram 279 for implementing the embodiment of step S94 of flowchart 90.

[0049] Additional embodiments of the present invention include, for example, illuminating the pull tab on the electrode to guide the user to the pull tab rather than having the electrode accidentally pulled from the bottom, such as illuminating the pack and cable of a CPR feedback pack placed on the patient's chest, and / or illuminating the electrode case or cartridge (not just the electrode itself) to more effectively attract the user to the electrode than illuminating the electrode itself in the first part of the workflow.

[0050] Referring to FIGS. 1-9, those skilled in the art of the present disclosure will understand numerous advantages of the present disclosure, including but not limited to the following.

[0051] For example, typically in a treatment workflow, the time from defibrillator activation to electrode application is the task with the longest duration, and this duration is most affected by the user's experience level. One advantage of the present disclosure is that the time from defibrillator activation to electrode application is faster, which is expected to improve patient outcomes.

[0052] As a further example, another advantage of the present disclosure is that the time from electrode application to heartbeat rhythm analysis and shock delivery is faster. The electrode light indicator and cable light indicator give the user a sense of self during the treatment workflow and report on operations (e.g., defibrillator activation, pad application) using visual feedback to drive subsequent operations, thereby reducing the likelihood of errors.

[0053] As a further example, another advantage of the present disclosure is to provide clearer communication to the user by enhancing the visual and audible indicators on the defibrillator device with dynamic visual indicators at the point of use that the user is viewing. The light on the electrodes and cables provides an additional secondary interface to assist the user in situations where the device's audio is not functioning or is ineffective due to environmental noise. Defibrillators are often used in busy and noisy environments such as airports and shopping malls, so the dynamic visual indicators at the point of use represent a significant improvement over the current state of the art.

[0054] As a further example, another advantage of the present disclosure is that in situations where there are multiple users, the electrode light indicator and cable light indicator can more effectively relay 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 the user and people nearby through contact with the patient. A clear visual display at the point of use that does not touch the patient reduces the likelihood of the user being injured due to, for example, confusion or a coordination error among the users.

[0055] Furthermore, those skilled in the art, in view of the teachings provided herein, will appreciate that the structures, elements, components, etc. described in this disclosure / specification, and / or shown in the figures, and / or recited in the claims, can be implemented in various combinations of hardware and software, providing functions that can be combined by a single element or multiple elements. For example, the functions of the various structures, elements, components, etc. shown / illustrated / depicted in the figures, and / or recited in the claims, are provided through the use of dedicated hardware, as well as hardware capable of executing software in association with software appropriate for the additional functions. When provided by a processor, the functions can be provided by a single dedicated processor, a single shared processor, or multiple individual processors, some of which are shared and / or multiplexed. Further, the explicit use of the terms "processor" or "controller" should not be construed as referring exclusively to hardware capable of executing software, but can implicitly include, without limitation, digital signal processor ("DSP") hardware, memory (e.g., read-only memory ("ROM") for storing software, random access memory ("RAM"), non-volatile storage devices, etc.), and substantially any means and / or machine (including hardware, software, firmware, combinations thereof, etc.) capable of executing and / or controlling a process (and / or configurable to do so).

[0056] Furthermore, all descriptions in this specification that enumerate the principles, aspects, and embodiments of the present invention, as well as specific examples thereof, are intended to include both their structural and functional equivalents. In addition, such equivalents are intended to include both currently known equivalents and equivalents developed in the future (e.g., any element developed that can perform the same or substantially similar functions regardless of structure). Thus, for example, those skilled in the art will understand, in view of the teachings provided herein, that any block diagrams presented herein may represent a conceptual diagram of the components and / or circuits of an exemplary system embodying the principles of the present invention. Similarly, those skilled in the art will understand, in view of the teachings presented herein, that any flowcharts and flow diagrams, etc., can be substantially represented on a computer-readable storage medium, and thus can represent various processes that can be executed by such a computer, processor, or other device having such computer, processor, or processing capabilities, regardless of whether a computer or processor is explicitly shown.

[0057] Although various and numerous preferred and exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure have been described (which embodiments are intended to be illustrative and not limiting), it should be noted that modifications and variations can be made by those skilled in the art in light of the teachings provided herein, including the drawings. Thus, it should be understood that changes can be made within the scope of the preferred and exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure disclosed and / or claimed herein.

[0058] Furthermore, corresponding and / or related systems that incorporate and / or implement a device / system according to the present disclosure, or are used / implemented in or with a device, are also considered and contemplated to be within the scope of the present disclosure. Additionally, corresponding and / or related methods for manufacturing and / or using a device and / or system according to the present disclosure are also considered and contemplated to be within the scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A defibrillation unit, comprising: a defibrillator; an electrode including an electrode light indicator; a cable configured to couple the electrode to the defibrillator, the cable including a cable light indicator; a light indicator controller for controlling the display of the functional state of the defibrillation unit, checking the operating mode of the defibrillator, and controlling the illumination of the electrode light indicator and the cable light indicator based on the operating mode of the defibrillator; the light indicator controller configured as such; and the defibrillation unit having the above components.

2. The light indicator controller configured to control the illumination of the electrode light indicator and the cable light indicator based on the operating mode of the defibrillator includes the light indicator controller configured to control the standby / start illumination of the electrode light indicator and the cable light indicator, which represents at least one of deactivation or activation of the defibrillator when the electrode is coupled to the defibrillator by the cable. The defibrillation unit according to Claim 1.

3. The light indicator controller configured to control the illumination of the electrode light indicator and the cable light indicator based on the operating mode of the defibrillator includes the light indicator controller configured to control the attachment illumination of the electrode light indicator and the cable light indicator, which represents the detection of the electrode attached to the patient by the defibrillator. The defibrillation unit according to Claim 1.

4. The light indicator controller configured to control the illumination of the electrode light indicator and the cable light indicator based on the operating mode of the defibrillator includes the light indicator controller configured to control the treatment warning illumination of the electrode light indicator and the cable light indicator, which represents at least one of the heartbeat rhythm analysis or shock delivery being performed by the defibrillator. The defibrillation unit according to Claim 1.

5. The defibrillation unit according to claim 1, comprising the light indicator controller configured to control illumination of the electrode light indicator and the cable light indicator based on the operation mode of the defibrillator, wherein the light indicator controller is configured to control the intervention illumination of the electrode light indicator and the cable light indicator, which represents monitoring of an intervention being performed by the defibrillator.

6. The defibrillation unit according to claim 1, wherein the light indicator controller is further configured to control illumination of at least one of a pull tab on the electrode, a CPR feedback pack, or an electrode case or cartridge based on the operation mode of the defibrillator.

7. A light indicator controller for controlling display of a functional state of a defibrillation unit including a defibrillator, an electrode having an electrode light indicator, and a cable having a cable light indicator, wherein the light indicator controller is a non-transitory machine-readable storage medium encoded with instructions for execution by at least one processor, the instructions for checking an operation mode of the defibrillator, and instructions for controlling illumination of the electrode light indicator and the cable light indicator based on the operation mode of the defibrillator are included in the non-transitory machine-readable storage medium having the light indicator controller.

8. The light indicator controller according to claim 7, wherein the instructions for controlling illumination of the electrode light indicator and the cable light indicator based on the operation mode of the defibrillator include instructions for controlling standby / start illumination of the electrode light indicator and the cable light indicator, which represents at least one of deactivation or activation of the defibrillator when the electrode is coupled to the defibrillator by a cable.

9. The light indicator controller according to claim 7, wherein the instructions for controlling illumination of the electrode light indicator and the cable light indicator based on the operation mode of the defibrillator include instructions for controlling attachment illumination of the electrode light indicator and the cable light indicator, which represents detection of an electrode attached to a patient by the defibrillator.

10. The instructions for controlling the illumination of the electrode light indicator and the cable light indicator based on the operation mode of the defibrillator include instructions for controlling the treatment warning illumination of the electrode light indicator and the cable light indicator, representing at least one of the heartbeat rhythm analysis or shock delivery being executed by the defibrillator. The light indicator controller according to claim 7.

11. The instructions for controlling the illumination of the electrode light indicator and the cable light indicator based on the operation mode of the defibrillator include instructions for controlling the intervention illumination of the electrode light indicator and the cable light indicator, representing the monitoring of the intervention being executed by the defibrillator. The light indicator controller according to claim 7.

12. The light indicator controller is further configured to control the illumination of at least one of the pull tabs on the electrodes, the CPR feedback packs, or the electrode cases or cartridges based on the operation mode of the defibrillator. The light indicator controller according to claim 7.

13. A method executable by a light indicator controller for controlling the display of the functional state of a defibrillation unit including a defibrillator, an electrode having an electrode light indicator, and a cable having a cable light indicator, the method comprising: confirming, by the light indicator controller, the operation mode of the defibrillator; controlling, by the light indicator controller, the illumination of the electrode light indicator and the cable light indicator based on the operation mode of the defibrillator; A method having.

14. The step of controlling, by the light indicator controller, the illumination of the electrode light indicator and the cable light indicator based on the operation mode of the defibrillator includes the step of controlling, by the light indicator controller, the standby / start illumination of the electrode light indicator and the cable light indicator, representing at least one of the deactivation or activation of the defibrillator when the electrode is coupled to the defibrillator by a cable. The method according to claim 13.

15. The step of controlling the illumination of the electrode light indicator and the cable light indicator based on the operation mode of the defibrillator by the light indicator controller is: The step of controlling the attachment illumination of the electrode light indicator and the cable light indicator, which is represented by the detection of the electrodes attached to the patient by the defibrillator, by the light indicator controller; The step of controlling the treatment warning illumination of the electrode light indicator and the cable light indicator, which is represented by at least one of the heartbeat rhythm analysis or shock delivery being executed by the defibrillator, by the light indicator controller; The step of controlling the intervention illumination of the electrode light indicator and the cable light indicator, which is represented by the monitoring of the intervention being executed by the defibrillator, by the light indicator controller The method according to claim 13, comprising at least one of the above.

Images