298 results about "Cardiorespiratory arrest" patented technology

A method and system (30, 50) for predicting the immediate success of a defibrillatory shock during cardiac arrest are shown. The sequencing of cardiopulmonary resuscitation is determined by an electronic computer (80) based on the probability of success as determined by a comparison of the amplitude spectrum area or the power spectrum area of an electrocardiogram sample and to empirical data. When the probability of successful resuscitation is 80% or greater, immediate defibrillation is implemented. When the probability of success is 20% or less, advanced cardiopulmonary resuscitation is implemented. When the probability of success remains greater than 20% but less than 80% for a period of four minutes, the patient is also defibrillated.

Patients having diminished circulation in the cerebral vasculature as a result of stroke or from other causes such as cardiac arrest, shock or head trauma, or aneurysm surgery or aortic surgery, are treated by flowing an oxygenated medium through an arterial access site into the cerebral vasculature and collecting the medium through an access site in the venous site of the cerebral vasculature. Usually, the cold oxygenated medium will comprise autologous blood, and the blood will be recirculated for a time sufficient to permit treatment of the underlying cause of diminished circulation. In addition to oxygenation, the recirculating blood will also be cooled to hypothermically treat and preserve brain tissue. Isolation and cooling of cerebral vasculature in patients undergoing aortic and other procedures is achieved by internally occluding at least the right common carotid artery above the aortic arch. Blood or other oxygenated medium is perfused through the occluded common carotid artery(ies) and into the arterial cerebral vasculature. Usually, oxygen depleted blood or other medium leaving the cerebral vasculature is collected, oxygenated, and cooled in an extracorporeal circuit so that it may be returned to the patient. Occlusion of the carotid artery(ies) is preferably accomplished using expansible occluders, such as balloon-tipped cannula, catheters, or similar access devices. Access to the occlusion site(s) may be open surgical, percutaneous, or intravascular.

A portable cooler is provided for heat exchange catheters that is powered by one or more batteries. The cooler can include Rankine cycle compressor components or thermoelectric cooler (TEC) components. The cooler can be carried in an ambulance and used to support coolant to an indwelling heat exchange catheter that is placed in the patient's venous system to prevent fever and/or induce therapeutic moderate hypothermia in, e.g., stroke victims, heart attack victims, and cardiac arrest victims.

Bleeding from blood vessels located in difficult-to-compress regions of the body (especially the abdomen, pelvic or groin region) is controlled by the use of a portable, small-footprint belt-like device that contains multiple inflatable bladders. The inflatable bladders are selectively positioned and inflated over exsanguinating blood vessels, thereby exerting pressure to stop the bleeding. The device may also be used to provide perfusion support in low flow disease states such as hemorrhagic shock and cardiac arrest.

A method is provided for resuscitating a patient from cardiac arrest. This may be done by (a) performing chest compressions for a first period of time at a depth of between about 1.5 to about 3 inches, and (b) ceasing chest compressions for a second period of time. Steps (a) and (b) may be repeated at least two times in order to prevent reperfusion injury after cardiac arrest.

An intravenous heat exchange catheter and/or an external cooling pad/bladder can be used to maintain hypothermia in, e.g., a cardiac arrest patient, but to accelerate the cooling process the patient first can be infused with cold saline before the opportunity arises to connect the catheter or pad to the patient.

The disclosure provides wearable cardiac arrest detection and alerting device that incorporates a non-invasive sensor based on optical and/or electrical signals transmitted into and received from human tissue containing blood vessels, and that transcutaneously quantifies the wearer's heart rate. The heart-rate quantification enables the detection of the absence of any heart beat by the wearable detection and alerting device indicative of the occurrence of a cardiac arrest, wherein the heart is no longer achieving effective blood circulation in the individual wearing the device. The display on the wearable cardiac arrest detection and alerting device may include the elapsed time since the time of detection of a heart rate that is below a predetermine lower limit value, i.e., the detected occurrence of a cardiac arrest event.

A device for manipulating intrathoracic pressures comprises a compressible bag structure, and an interface member coupled to the bag structure. A one way forward valve is coupled to the bag structure to permit respiratory gas to flow to the patient when the bag structure is compressed. A one way exit valve is employed to allow respiratory gases to be pulled from the person's airway upon decompression of the bag structure to produce a negative intrathoracic pressure.

Apparatuses and methods for the cooling of the cranial and extracranial portions of a patient in need thereof. The apparatuses and methods of the present invention preferably employ a head cooling apparatus which includes a watertight shroud for the head and which needs no refrigeration. In certain preferred embodiments, the apparatuses of the present invention are collapsible and possess a reduced profile. In some presently preferred embodiments, the present invention includes a hammock that supports the head. In some embodiments, the present invention includes a shroud that lies behind the head with optional portions that may be drawn over the patient's neck and cranial area. The apparatuses and methods of the present invention also provide an improved mechanism for cooling the cranial and extracranial areas through the use of a novel distribution of endothermic solids (e.g. ammonium nitrate). The present invention provides a novel distribution of ammonium nitrate pellets that preferably includes multiple populations solid ammonium nitrate, preferably including small diameter (e.g., powdered) and larger diameter (e.g., 7 millimeter) ammonium nitrate to allow water initially to be cooled very quickly, thereby facilitating the rapid cooling of the cranial and extracranial areas, while at the same time producing extended hypothermia.

A method and system for treating an individual experiencing cardiac arrest using an automatic external defibrillator (AED) includes placing a first and a second electrode of the AED in electrical communication with an exterior surface of the individual. A need to apply a high voltage defibrillation signal to the individual is automatically determined. The method also includes automatically causing the AED to apply a medium voltage therapy (MVT) signal through the first and the second electrodes to the individual. The MVT signal is applied to induce a hemodynamic effect in the individual. Alternatively, or additionally, the MVT signal is applied to induce a respiratory effect in the individual. Optionally, the MVT signal is applied before determining the need to apply the defibrillation signal.

An apparatus and method to be used in CPR to promote diastolic filling of the heart in cardiac arrest situations during external or internal cardiac compression. A rigid backboard provided with a tilting apparatus to incline the backboard to a desired degree. The backboard can be also provided with a tiltable segment for forward head flexion. The body of a patient victim of cardiac arrest is placed supine over the rigid backboard and the backboard is tilted by actuation of the tilting apparatus to a desired angle thus positioning the patient with feet up and chest down, so that the lower extremities are higher than the abdomen and tilted down toward the abdomen, and the abdomen higher than the chest and tilted down toward the chest. Likewise, being the head flexed forward in respect to the remainder of the body, the head is positioned higher than the heart, and tilted down toward the heart. As a result of such a positioning, the blood in the venous system of the lower extremities, of the abdomen and head will be draining down toward the heart by gravity improving diastolic filling and ultimately will improve cardiac output with internal or external cardiac compressions being carried out with the patient maintained in such position.

The invention provides a medical device having a thermister for temperature measurement, irrigation/aspiration ports for fluid exchange and application of therapeutic modalities, a pressure manometer for pressure measurement, and an external system for control of temperature, pressure, and flow rate. When applied to the central nervous system (CNS), this device can be used in hypothermia or hyperthermia applications, the exchange of cerebral spinal fluid (CSF), the application of treatment modalities, and the insertion of a ventriculostomy or ventriculostomy-like unit. When applied to spinal cord applications, this device can provide temperature control and a method for application of treatment modalities by using a venting device placed in the space surrounding the spinal cord, a device with similar instrumentation to measure temperature and pressure. A device for ultrasound localization of the CNS device is described. A device for a fiber optic endoscope for visualization and localization is also described. Method of using the devices in treating patients suffering from cardiac arrest, circulatory arrest, exsanguination, head or neck trauma, strokes, tumors and other intracranial diseases are disclosed. In the case of hypothermia treatment of the brain, rapid cooling using principles of convection and conduction will be applied to the lateral ventricle and subarachnoid and/or subdural space simultaneously where the neurons are located in close proximity.

A method of automatically determining which type of treatment is most appropriate for a cardiac arrest victim, the method comprising transforming one or more time domain electrocardiogram (ECG) signals into a frequency domain representation comprising a plurality of discrete frequency bands, combining the discrete frequency bands into a plurality of analysis bands, wherein there are fewer analysis bands than discrete frequency bands, determining the content of the analysis bands, and determining the type of treatment based on the content of the analysis bands.

A system is disclosed for cannulating the vena cava of a patient during cardiopulmonary bypass procedures. Such cannulation is necessary for drainage of venous blood from the patient so that it may be oxygenated and pumped back to the patient to perfuse tissues during cardiac surgery and, more specifically, during periods of ischemic cardiac arrest or dysfunction. The device of the present invention not only provides venous drainage for cardiopulmonary bypass, but also performs the function of routing cardioplegic solution through the heart in the retrograde direction. Such cardioplegia provides protection to the heart during periods of ischemic cardiac arrest. This invention replaces a plurality of cannulae currently used for open-heart surgery, thus simplifying the surgical field and improving visibility of the heart. The device allows for the delivery of retrograde cardioplegia to the coronary circulation of both the right and the left side of the heart. The device further includes protection mechanisms to prevent overinflation or excessive pressurization of the right atrium during retrograde delivery of cardioplegia solution.

A method for treating a patient suffering from one of septic shock, acute kidney injury, severe hypotension, cardiac arrest, and refractory hypotension, but not from myocardial infarction, is provided. The method includes administering a therapeutically effective dose of Angiotensin II, or Ang II, to the patient.

The present invention relates to novel uses of compounds that protect the endothelium, particularly prostacyclin and variants and derivatives thereof in the treatment or prevention of acute traumatic coagulopathy (ATC) and of patients resuscitating from cardiac arrest. The invention also relates to a method of identifying individuals at risk of developing ATC.

The present invention relates to a preventive and/or therapeutic agent for hyperkalemia, and a potassium excretion promoter containing EP₄ agonist. Since EP₄ agonist promotes potassium excretion, it is useful as a preventive and/or therapeutic agent for hyperkalemia. In addition, if selective EP₄ agonist uses, it is a preventive and/or therapeutic agent for hyperkalemia without side effects. Further, if EP₄ agonist is used, it is useful as improving agent for various symptoms (e.g. paresthesia, error of perception, weakness, myoparalysis, nausea, vomit, abdominal pain, diarrhea, arrhythmia, atrioventricular block, ventricular fibrillation, atrial fibrillation, cardiac arrest, asphyxia and/or dyspnoea etc.).