Automated external defibrillator

Abstract

To reduce the number of indicators provided at an AED from the view point of downsizing and / or weight saving of the AED while keeping usability of the AED.SOLUTION: An AED 1 comprises: a battery 6 configured to supply power to the AED 1; an indicator 30 configured to visually report predetermined information related to the AED 1 and the remaining amount level of the battery 6; and an indicator control unit 20 configured to change the display mode of the indicator 30 in response to the remaining amount level.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an automated external defibrillator.

Background Art

[0002] An automated external defibrillator (hereinafter referred to as AED) that restores the function of a patient's heart by applying a strong electric shock for defibrillation to the heart of a patient who has suffered sudden cardiac arrest due to ventricular fibrillation is now rapidly spreading. In an AED, a battery is mounted as a power source. In order to manage the remaining level of the AED battery, the AED is provided with a dedicated indicator for displaying the remaining level of the battery (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Document

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, with the rapid spread of AEDs, miniaturization and weight reduction of AEDs are currently being considered. In this regard, increasing the number of indicators for information notification provided in an AED improves the usability of the AED while also causing factors for increasing the size and weight of the AED. Thus, there is room to consider reducing the number of indicators provided in an AED from the perspective of miniaturization and / or weight reduction of the AED while maintaining the usability of the AED.

[0005] The present disclosure aims to reduce the number of indicators provided in an AED from the perspective of miniaturization and / or weight reduction of the AED while maintaining the usability of the AED.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] An automated external defibrillator according to one aspect of the present invention is A battery configured to supply power to an automated external defibrillator, An indicator configured to visually notify predetermined information related to the automated external defibrillator and the remaining battery level, An indicator control unit configured to change the display mode of the indicator according to the remaining amount level, It is equipped with. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to this disclosure, the number of indicators provided on an AED can be reduced from the viewpoint of miniaturization and / or weight reduction, while maintaining the usability of the AED. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a front view of an automated external defibrillator (AED) according to an embodiment of the present invention (hereinafter referred to as "this embodiment"). [Figure 2] This is a block diagram showing the components of an AED. [Figure 3] This is a schematic front view showing the indicator mounted on the shock button. [Figure 4] This diagram illustrates how the indicator display changes depending on the remaining battery level. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] The embodiments will be described below with reference to the drawings. The dimensions of each component shown in each drawing may differ from the actual dimensions of each component for the sake of explanation.

[0010] First, the configuration of the automated external defibrillator 1 (hereinafter referred to as AED1) will be described below with reference to Figures 1 to 3. Figure 1 is a front view of the AED1 according to this embodiment. Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the AED1. Figure 3 is a schematic front view showing the indicator 30 mounted on the shock button 10c.

[0011] As shown in Figure 2, AED1 comprises an AED control unit 2, a high-voltage generation unit 3, an energy storage unit 4, a battery 6, a battery control unit 5, a memory unit 7, and an external communication unit 8. AED1 further comprises an ECG processing circuit 12, an audio output unit 11, an operation unit 10, an indicator control unit 20, and an indicator 30.

[0012] AED1 is a medical device configured to deliver an electric shock to the heart of a patient who has suffered cardiac arrest due to ventricular fibrillation in order to restore the function of the patient's heart. The AED control unit 2 is configured to control each component provided in AED1. The AED control unit 2 is composed of, for example, a microcontroller including a processor and memory, and an integrated circuit such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit). The processor includes, for example, at least one of a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an MPU (Micro Processing Unit), and a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit). The memory includes ROM (Read Only Memory) and RAM (Random Access Memory).

[0013] The high-voltage generating unit 3 is configured to charge the energy storage unit 4 with electrical energy to deliver an electric shock for defibrillation to the patient (subject) and to discharge the electrical energy stored in the energy storage unit 4. The energy storage unit 4 is configured to store electrical energy to deliver an electric shock for defibrillation to the patient and may be, for example, a high-voltage film capacitor composed of multiple dielectric films.

[0014] Battery 6 functions as a power source configured to supply power to each component of AED1, and is, for example, a lithium primary battery. The battery control unit 5 includes a circuit (for example, a switching regulator or a series regulator) configured to convert the voltage of battery 6 to the voltage required by each component of AED1. The battery control unit 5 is also configured to transmit signals related to the remaining charge level of battery 6 to the AED control unit 2. In this regard, the battery control unit 5 may transmit signals to the AED control unit 2 as signals related to the remaining charge level of battery 6, such as a signal indicating the voltage of battery 6, a signal indicating the current value of battery 6, or a signal indicating the impedance of battery 6. Based on the signals related to the remaining charge level of battery 6 transmitted from the battery control unit 5, the AED control unit 2 determines the remaining charge level of battery 6 (between 0% and 100%). The AED control unit 2 then transmits a light control signal indicating the remaining charge level of battery 6 to the indicator control unit 20. Here, if battery 6 has no remaining charge, the remaining charge level is 0%. If battery 6 is fully charged, the remaining charge level is 100%. Furthermore, the remaining battery level of battery 6 may be expressed not as a percentage, but rather as, for example, a five-level scale.

[0015] The memory unit 7 is configured to store various programs for operating the AED1, voice data, and patient electrocardiogram data. The memory unit 7 is composed of, for example, flash memory or a hard disk. The external communication unit 8 is configured to transmit various data stored in the memory unit 7 to an external device or to receive data from an external device. The external communication unit 8 may be an interface into which a wired cable connector, such as a LAN cable, is inserted, or it may be a wireless communication module compatible with wireless communication standards such as Bluetooth® or Wi-Fi®. If the external communication unit 8 is a wireless communication module, it may have a transmitting and receiving antenna, a high-frequency circuit, and a signal processing circuit.

[0016] The ECG processing circuit 12 is configured to process an electrocardiogram signal output from two defibrillation pads 13 attached to a patient. For example, the ECG processing circuit 12 may include a differential amplifier that generates electrocardiogram data by differentially amplifying a potential signal output from one of the two defibrillation pads 13 and a potential signal output from the other defibrillation pad 13, and an AD converter that converts the electrocardiogram data into digital data. The defibrillation pads 13 are detachably attached to the AED 1.

[0017] The voice output unit 11 is a speaker configured to output voice guidance and warning sounds related to the operation of the AED 1. The operation unit 10 is configured to receive an operation from an operator. As shown in FIG. 1, the operation unit 10 includes a power button 10a for turning on the power of the AED 1, a check button 10b for checking whether the AED 1 can be used, and a shock button 10c for applying an electric shock for defibrillation to the patient.

[0018] The indicator control unit 20 is, for example, an analog control circuit configured to control the lighting and extinguishing of the indicator 30. In particular, the indicator control unit 20 is configured to control the lighting and extinguishing of the indicator 30 based on a lighting control signal transmitted from the AED control unit 2. For example, the indicator control unit 20 may be configured to receive a lighting control signal indicating the remaining level of the battery 6 from the AED control unit 2 and then change the display mode of the indicator 30 according to the remaining level. Further, the indicator control unit 20 may be configured to receive a lighting control signal indicating that the AED 1 is ready to apply an electric shock for defibrillation to the patient (subject) from the AED control unit 2 and then light the indicator 30 based on the lighting control signal. In this case, the indicator 30 can visually notify information (an example of predetermined information) indicating that the AED 1 is ready to apply an electric shock for defibrillation to the patient.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 1, the indicator 30 is mounted on the shock button 10c. In other words, a part of the shock button 10c is constituted by the indicator 30. The indicator 30 is configured to light up when the AED 1 is ready to give an electrical shock for defibrillation to the patient. The operator of the AED 1 can recognize that the AED 1 is ready to give an electrical shock to the patient by visually recognizing the lighting of the indicator 30. For this reason, the operator is prompted to press the shock button 10c by the lighting of the indicator 30.

[0020] Further, the indicator 30 is configured to visually notify the remaining level of the battery 6 externally when the power of the AED 1 is turned on. In this regard, the indicator 30 is configured to change the display mode according to the remaining level of the battery 6.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 3, the indicator 30 has a transparent cover 32 that transmits visible light. The transparent cover 32 constitutes the surface of the shock button 10c that the operator touches. Minute diffusion steps for diffusing the light emitted from the light emitting elements 33a to 33d may be formed on the surface of the transparent cover 32. The indicator 30 has four light emitting segments S1 to S4 partitioned along its circumferential direction. In this regard, each of the light emitting segments S1 to S4 has an angular region of 90° starting from the center point P of the indicator 30. The light emitting segment S1 includes two light emitting elements 33a. The light emitting segment S2 is adjacent to the light emitting segments S1 and S3 and has two light emitting elements 33b. The light emitting segment S3 is adjacent to the light emitting segments S2 and S4 and has two light emitting elements 33c. The light emitting segment S4 is adjacent to the light emitting segments S1 and S3 and has two light emitting elements 33d. The light emitting elements 33a to 33d are semiconductor light emitting elements such as LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes), for example. The lighting and extinguishing of each of the light emitting elements 33a to 33d are controlled by the indicator control unit 20.

[0022] (Display pattern of the indicator according to the battery level) Next, with reference to Figure 4, the changes in the display mode of the indicator 30 according to the remaining battery level of the battery 6 will be described below. Figure 4 is a diagram illustrating how the display mode of the indicator 30 changes according to the remaining battery level of the battery 6. In the following description, it is assumed that the indicator control unit 20 receives a lighting control signal from the AED control unit 2 indicating the remaining battery level of the battery 6 after the AED1 is powered on and before the remaining battery level of the battery 6 is visually notified.

[0023] (Battery level: 75% or higher) First, the display behavior of the indicator 30 when the battery level 6 is 75% or higher will be described. As shown in Figure 4, when the AED1 is powered ON through the operator's operation of the power button 10a (see Figure 1), all of the light-emitting segments S1 to S4 of the indicator 30 light up to confirm the operation of the indicator 30, and then all of the light-emitting segments S1 to S4 turn off. Next, in order to notify the operator of the remaining battery level 6, the indicator control unit 20 lights up light-emitting segment S1 (two light-emitting elements 33a) in the first stage. Next, in the second stage, the indicator control unit 20 lights up light-emitting segment S2 (two light-emitting elements 33b) in addition to light-emitting segment S1. In the third stage, the indicator control unit 20 lights up light-emitting segment S3 (two light-emitting elements 33c) in addition to light-emitting segments S1 and S2. In the fourth stage, the indicator control unit 20 lights up light-emitting segment S4 (two light-emitting elements 33d) in addition to light-emitting segments S1 to S3. In the final stage, the indicator control unit 20 turns off all light-emitting segments S1 to S4. Thus, when the remaining charge level of the battery 6 is 75% or higher, the indicator control unit 20 sequentially lights up the four light-emitting segments S1 to S4. The period from the first stage to the final stage is, for example, 1 second.

[0024] (Battery level: 50%-75%) Next, the display behavior of the indicator 30 when the remaining charge level of the battery 6 is 50% or more but less than 75% will be described. As shown in Figure 4, when the power of the AED1 is turned ON, all of the light-emitting segments S1 to S4 of the indicator 30 light up to confirm the operation of the indicator 30, and then all of the light-emitting segments S1 to S4 turn off. Next, in order to notify the operator of the remaining charge level of the battery 6, the indicator control unit 20 lights up light-emitting segment S1 in the first stage. In the second stage, the indicator control unit 20 lights up light-emitting segment S2 in addition to light-emitting segment S1. In the third stage, the indicator control unit 20 lights up light-emitting segment S3 in addition to light-emitting segments S1 and S2. In the final stage, the indicator control unit 20 turns off the three light-emitting segments S1 to S3. In this way, when the remaining charge level of the battery 6 is 50% or more but less than 75%, the indicator control unit 20 lights up the three light-emitting segments S1 to S3 in sequence.

[0025] (Battery level: 25%-50%) Next, the display behavior of the indicator 30 when the remaining charge level of the battery 6 is 25% or more but less than 50% will be described. As shown in Figure 4, when the power of the AED1 is turned ON, all of the light-emitting segments S1 to S4 of the indicator 30 light up to confirm the operation of the indicator 30, and then all of the light-emitting segments S1 to S4 turn off. Next, in order to notify the operator of the remaining charge level of the battery 6, the indicator control unit 20 lights up light-emitting segment S1 in the first stage. In the second stage, the indicator control unit 20 lights up light-emitting segment S2 in addition to light-emitting segment S1. In the final stage, the indicator control unit 20 turns off both light-emitting segments S1 and S2. Thus, when the remaining charge level of the battery 6 is 25% or more but less than 50%, the indicator control unit 20 lights up the two light-emitting segments S1 and S2 in sequence.

[0026] (Battery level: 5%-25%) Next, we will describe the display behavior of the indicator 30 when the remaining charge level of the battery 6 is 5% or more but less than 25%. As shown in Figure 4, when the AED1 is powered on, all of the light-emitting segments S1 to S4 of the indicator 30 light up to confirm the operation of the indicator 30, and then all of the light-emitting segments S1 to S4 turn off. Next, in order to notify the operator of the remaining charge level of the battery 6, the indicator control unit 20 lights up light-emitting segment S1 and then turns off light-emitting segment S1. Thus, when the remaining charge level of the battery 6 is 5% or more but less than 25%, the indicator control unit 20 lights up only one light-emitting segment S1.

[0027] (Battery level: less than 5%) Next, the display behavior of the indicator 30 when the battery level of 6 is less than 5% will be described. As shown in Figure 4, when the AED1 is powered on, all of the light-emitting segments S1 to S4 of the indicator 30 light up to confirm the operation of the indicator 30, and then all of the light-emitting segments S1 to S4 turn off. Next, in order to notify the operator of the remaining battery level of 6, the indicator control unit 20 does not light up any of the light-emitting segments S1 to S4. Thus, when the remaining battery level of 6 is less than 5%, the indicator control unit 20 does not light up any of the light-emitting segments S1 to S4.

[0028] Thus, according to this embodiment, the indicator 30 is configured to visually notify both information indicating that the AED1 is ready to deliver an electric shock for defibrillation to the patient and information indicating the remaining charge level of the battery 6. In this way, there is no need to provide the AED1 with a dedicated indicator to visually notify only the remaining charge level of the battery 6, so it is possible to reduce the number of indicators 30 provided on the AED1 from the viewpoint of miniaturization and / or weight reduction of the AED1 while maintaining the usability of the AED1. In addition, since the remaining charge level of the battery 6 is notified by the indicator 30 when the AED1 is turned on, the operator of the AED1 is more likely to notice the remaining charge level of the battery 6. In particular, the operator can use the AED1 more reliably because they can know the remaining charge level of the battery 6 before use.

[0029] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the indicator control unit 20 is configured to increase the number of light-emitting segments that are sequentially lit over a predetermined period (for example, 1 second) as the remaining charge level of the battery 6 increases. Specifically, when the remaining charge level is 75% or higher, four light-emitting segments are lit sequentially. When the remaining charge level is 50% or higher but less than 75%, three light-emitting segments are lit sequentially. When the remaining charge level is 25% or higher but less than 50%, two light-emitting segments are lit sequentially. When the remaining charge level is 5% or higher but less than 25%, only one light-emitting segment is lit. When the remaining charge level is less than 5%, no light-emitting segments are lit.

[0030] In this way, the operator of the AED1 can intuitively grasp the remaining charge level of the battery 6 by visually checking the number of illuminated segments S1 to S4 that light up sequentially along the circumference of the indicator 30.

[0031] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the indicator control unit 20 illuminates all of the light-emitting segments S1 to S4 after the AED1 is powered on and before the indicator 30 visually notifies the remaining battery level of the battery 6. Therefore, the operator can recognize that each of the light-emitting segments S1 to S4 is functioning correctly by visually confirming that all of them are lit. In this respect, the operator can recognize that the indicator 30 is capable of correctly notifying the remaining battery level of the battery 6 through the illumination of all of the light-emitting segments S1 to S4.

[0032] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the indicator 30 is mounted on the shock button 10c. In other words, since the indicator 30 and the shock button 10c are integrated, it is possible to make the AED1 smaller and lighter. Moreover, the operator is guided to press the shock button 10c by the illumination of the indicator 30, so that the shock button 10c can be pressed reliably.

[0033] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the technical scope of the present invention should not be interpreted as being limited by the description of these embodiments. These embodiments are examples, and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications to the embodiments are possible within the scope of the invention described in the claims. The technical scope of the present invention should be determined based on the scope of the invention described in the claims and the scope of its equivalents.

[0034] In this embodiment, the indicator control unit 20 sequentially lights up the light-emitting segments according to the remaining charge level of the battery 6, but this embodiment is not limited to this. For example, the indicator control unit 20 may change the number of light-emitting segments to be lit simultaneously according to the remaining charge level of the battery 6.

[0035] For example, if the remaining charge level of battery 6 is 75% or higher, the indicator control unit 20 may simultaneously light up four light-emitting segments S1 to S4 to notify the outside of the remaining charge level of battery 6, and then turn off the four light-emitting segments S1 to S4. If the remaining charge level of battery 6 is 50% or higher but less than 75%, the indicator control unit 20 may simultaneously light up three light-emitting segments S1 to S3 to notify the outside of the remaining charge level of battery 6, and then turn off the three light-emitting segments S1 to S3. If the remaining charge level of battery 6 is 25% or higher but less than 50%, the indicator control unit 20 may simultaneously light up two light-emitting segments S1 and S2 to notify the outside of the remaining charge level of battery 6, and then turn off the two light-emitting segments S1 and S2.

[0036] Furthermore, while the indicator control unit 20 increases the number of light-emitting segments to be lit sequentially as the remaining charge level of the battery 6 increases, this embodiment is not limited to this. For example, the indicator control unit 20 may decrease the number of light-emitting segments to be lit sequentially as the remaining charge level of the battery 6 increases.

[0037] In this case, if the remaining battery level is 75% or higher, the light-emitting segments will not light up. If the remaining battery level is 50% or higher but less than 75%, one light-emitting segment will light up sequentially. If the remaining battery level is 25% or higher but less than 50%, two light-emitting segments will light up sequentially. If the remaining battery level is 5% or higher but less than 25%, only three light-emitting segments will light up. If the remaining battery level is less than 5%, four light-emitting segments will light up sequentially.

[0038] Furthermore, while the indicator control unit 20 increases the number of light-emitting segments to be lit sequentially at each stage, this embodiment is not limited to this. For example, the indicator control unit 20 may decrease the number of light-emitting segments to be lit sequentially at each stage.

[0039] For example, let's explain using the case where the remaining charge level of battery 6 is 75% or higher. In this case, in the first stage, all light-emitting segments S1 to S4 light up. Next, in the second stage, light-emitting segments S1 to S3 light up. In the third stage, light-emitting segments S1 and S2 light up. In the fourth stage, light-emitting segment S1 lights up. In the final stage, all light-emitting segments turn off.

[0040] Furthermore, the indicator control unit 20 may change the position of the light-emitting segment to be lit at each stage.

[0041] For example, let's consider the case where the battery level of 6 is 75% or higher. In this case, in the first stage, light-emitting segment S1 lights up and then turns off. Next, in the second stage, light-emitting segment S2 lights up and then turns off. In the third stage, light-emitting segment S3 lights up and then turns off. In the fourth stage, light-emitting segment S4 lights up and then turns off. In the final stage, all light-emitting segments turn off. In this way, the position of the light-emitting segments that light up may be changed in each stage.

[0042] Furthermore, the indicator control unit 20 changes the number of light-emitting segments S1 to S4 to be sequentially lit (i.e., the lit area of ​​the indicator 30) according to the remaining charge level of the battery 6, as an example of the display mode of the indicator 30, but this embodiment is not limited to this.

[0043] For example, the indicator control unit 20 may change the display mode of the indicator 30, such as the illumination time, brightness, number of flashes, or illumination color, according to the remaining charge level of the battery 6. Specifically, as the remaining charge level of the battery 6 increases, the illumination time of the indicator 30 after power-on may increase. Also, as the remaining charge level of the battery 6 increases, the light emitted from the indicator 30 may become brighter. Furthermore, as the remaining charge level of the battery 6 increases, the number of flashes of the indicator 30 may increase. In addition, the indicator 30 may emit light of different colors to the outside according to the remaining charge level of the battery 6. In this case, three light-emitting elements (red LED, blue LED, green LED) may be arranged in each light-emitting segment S1 to S4.

[0044] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the indicator 30 visually notifies the remaining charge level of the battery 6 when the AED1 is powered on, but this embodiment is not limited to this. For example, the indicator 30 may visually notify the remaining charge level of the battery 6 at predetermined time intervals (e.g., every hour). Also, the indicator 30 may visually notify the remaining charge level of the battery 6 when the check button 10b is operated by the operator. Moreover, the indicator 30 may visually notify the remaining charge level of the battery 6 when the AED1 is powered off or when the battery 6 is installed in the AED1.

[0045] Furthermore, although the indicator 30 is mounted on the shock button 10c in this embodiment, this embodiment is not limited to this. For example, the indicator 30 may be mounted on the power button 10a or the check button 10b. In this case, the transparent cover of the indicator 30 constitutes the surface of the power button or the check button. The battery level notification mechanism described above may also be incorporated into other indicators (for example, indicators for notifying any errors) that are not shown.

[0046] For example, if the indicator 30 is mounted on the check button 10b, the indicator 30 can visually notify both that the AED1 is performing a self-check and the remaining battery level of the battery 6. In particular, the flashing of each light-emitting segment of the indicator 30 presents to the outside information (an example of predetermined information) that the AED1 is performing a self-check.

[0047] Furthermore, in this embodiment, each light-emitting segment is provided with two light-emitting elements, but the number of light-emitting elements provided in each light-emitting segment is not particularly limited. For example, each light-emitting segment may be provided with one light-emitting element or three or more light-emitting elements. Also, although the indicator 30 is divided into four light-emitting segments S1 to S4, the number of light-emitting segments to which it is divided is not particularly limited. In addition, in this embodiment, the remaining charge level of the battery 6 is divided into five levels, but the number of divisions for the remaining charge level of the battery 6 is not particularly limited. For example, the remaining charge level of the battery 6 may be divided into six or more levels. For example, if the remaining charge level of the battery 6 is divided into 10 levels, the operator can grasp the remaining charge level of the battery 6 in 10% increments. [Explanation of symbols]

[0048] 1:AED (automated external defibrillator) 2: AED control unit 3: High-voltage generation unit 4: Energy storage unit 5: Battery control unit 6: Battery 7: Storage part 8: External Communications Department 10:Operation unit 10a: Power button 10b: Check button 10c: Shock button 11: Audio output section 12: ECG processing circuit 13: Defibrillation pads 20: Indicator Control Unit 30: Indicator 32: Transparent cover 33a, 33b, 33c, 33d: Light-emitting elements

Claims

1. A battery configured to supply power to an automated external defibrillator, An indicator configured to visually notify predetermined information related to the automated external defibrillator and the remaining battery level, An indicator control unit configured to change the display mode of the indicator according to the remaining amount level, Equipped with, The indicator is mounted on a button for delivering an electric shock for defibrillation to a subject in an automated external defibrillator.

2. The indicator is configured to visually notify the remaining amount level when the automated external defibrillator is powered on. An automated external defibrillator according to claim 1.

3. The predetermined information is information indicating that the automated external defibrillator is ready to deliver an electric shock for defibrillation to the subject, The indicator control unit is configured to light up the indicator when the automated external defibrillator is ready to deliver the electric shock to the subject. An automated external defibrillator according to claim 1 or 2.

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