AED Ventilation Sensing and Prompting for Guided Resuscitation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing automated external defibrillators (AEDs) are inadequate for guiding lay caregivers through cardiac resuscitation, particularly in measuring ventilation parameters accurately and providing effective prompts, and they do not address the needs of non-shockable rhythms or other health issues beyond defibrillation.

Innovation Solution

A device with sensors and processors to measure ventilation parameters, provide real-time prompts, and guide caregivers through resuscitation protocols, including accurate tidal volume measurement and differentiated prompts based on caregiver progress, integrated with an AED for comprehensive cardiac resuscitation support.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If traditional AEDs are used without ventilation sensing, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision of ventilation parameters deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveventilation parameter measurementVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The AED device is enhanced with multi-functionality by integrating ventilation sensing capabilities alongside existing defibrillation and CPR guidance functions. Pressure sensors and acoustic microphones are added to detect ventilation parameters, allowing the single device to perform both traditional cardiac resuscitation and new ventilation monitoring functions, thereby improving measurement precision without proportionally increasing complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

Pressure sensors and acoustic microphones serve as intermediary elements that bridge the gap between the caregiver's ventilation actions and the AED's monitoring capabilities. These sensors indirectly detect ventilation parameters through pressure changes and acoustic signals, enabling accurate measurement without requiring direct invasive measurement of lung volumes or airflow

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If real-time ventilation monitoring is added to AEDs, then the reliability of resuscitation guidance is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresuscitation guidance reliabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The AED system implements feedback mechanisms where pressure sensors and acoustic microphones continuously monitor ventilation parameters in real-time, and the processor analyzes these signals to provide immediate feedback to the caregiver through visual and audible prompts. This closed-loop feedback system enhances the reliability of resuscitation guidance by enabling dynamic adjustment of prompts based on actual ventilation effectiveness

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs self-assessment of ventilation quality by automatically analyzing pressure and acoustic signals from the sensors. The processor evaluates whether adequate ventilation is occurring and self-adjusts the guidance prompts accordingly, reducing the need for external monitoring equipment or manual assessment by the caregiver

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of operation

If differentiated prompts based on caregiver progress are provided, then the ease of operation is improved, but the loss of information increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecaregiver guidance easeVSAvoidventilation information loss
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The prompting system is made dynamic by adjusting the type, frequency, and content of prompts based on the caregiver's real-time progress and performance. As the caregiver improves or deteriorates in their ventilation technique, the system adaptively modifies prompts to provide appropriate guidance levels, making operation easier while maintaining comprehensive monitoring of ventilation parameters for quality improvement purposes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enhances the effectiveness of cardiac resuscitation by providing accurate ventilation measurements and tailored prompts, improving caregiver performance and reducing delays in delivering appropriate care.

Implementation Method 1

a pressure sensor configured to detect information relating to the quality of ventilations delivered to the patient

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure sensing:

Implementation Method 2

an acoustic microphone configured to detect information relating to the quality of ventilations delivered to the patient

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAcoustic detection:

Data Source

PatentEP4410342B1Automated resuscitation device with ventilation sensing and prompting
Publication Date: 2026.02.18 ZOLL MEDICAL CORPORATION
  • EP4410342B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4410342B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4410342B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A device for assisting a caregiver in delivering cardiac resuscitation to a patient, the device comprising a user interface configured to deliver prompts to a caregiver to assist the caregiver in delivering cardiac resuscitation to a patient; at least one sensor configured to detect the caregiver's progress in delivering the cardiac resuscitation, wherein the sensor is configured to provide a signal containing information indicative of ventilation; a memory in which a plurality of different prompts are stored, including at least one ventilation progress prompt to guide the rescuer's performance of ventilation; a processor configured to process the output of the sensor to determine a parameter descriptive of ventilation progress and to determine whether the ventilation progress prompt should be selected for delivery. Possible parameters descriptive of ventilation progress include ventilation rate, delivered tidal volume, and flow rate.