Mechanical CPR Device Active Decompression and Reference Position Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Manual cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is labor-intensive and prone to fatigue, leading to inconsistent compressions, which can be ineffective and divert medical personnel's attention from other critical tasks, while existing mechanical CPR devices lack advanced decompression mechanisms.

Innovation Solution

A mechanical CPR device that actively decompresses the torso beyond its natural resting position using a suction cup and piston system, with a controller managing compression and decompression cycles based on user-defined or predetermined frequencies and depths, and automatically determining a reference position to prevent unintended injury.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual CPR is performed by medical personnel, then compressions can be provided to maintain circulatory functions, but the personnel experience fatigue leading to inconsistent compressions and cannot focus on other critical tasks

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconsistency of compressionsVSAvoidability to perform other tasks
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The mechanical CPR device performs compressions autonomously without requiring continuous human intervention. The device self-regulates compression depth, rate, and rhythm through mechanical feedback mechanisms, maintaining consistent performance without operator fatigue. This allows medical personnel to be freed from manual CPR tasks while the device independently maintains circulatory support.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Productivity

If mechanical CPR device is used to provide consistent compressions, then personnel are freed to perform other tasks, but existing devices lack advanced decompression mechanisms reducing effectiveness

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepersonnel availability for other tasksVSAvoideffectiveness of CPR
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The CPR process is segmented into distinct compression and decompression phases with independent mechanical control. The device separately manages the downward compression stroke and the upward decompression stroke, allowing optimization of each phase. This segmentation enables active decompression beyond passive spring-back, improving venous return and overall CPR effectiveness while maintaining operational automation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The device pre-positions mechanical components to enable active decompression before the compression cycle completes. By preparing the decompression mechanism in advance and coordinating it with the compression rhythm, the system achieves effective active decompression that enhances venous return without requiring additional manual intervention or compromising personnel availability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If active decompression is implemented to lift torso beyond natural resting position, then decompression effectiveness is improved, but risk of unintended injury increases without proper control

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedecompression effectivenessVSAvoidrisk of injury to patient
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The device incorporates mechanical feedback sensors that continuously monitor torso position, compression depth, and decompression height. This feedback is fed back to the control system to dynamically adjust the decompression force and prevent excessive lifting beyond safe limits. The feedback mechanism ensures active decompression remains effective while automatically preventing injury-causing over-decompression.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically changes decompression parameters such as lift height, speed, and force based on real-time monitoring of torso response. By adjusting these parameters within safe operational envelopes, the device achieves effective active decompression that lifts the torso beyond natural resting position while maintaining safety margins to prevent rib fractures or tissue damage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

The mechanical CPR device provides consistent and effective compressions and decompressions, reducing fatigue and allowing medical personnel to focus on other tasks, while minimizing the risk of injury to the patient by using a controlled decompression mechanism.

Implementation Method 1

a suction cup on the end of a piston of a mechanical CPR device can be automatically attached to a patient's torso

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVacuum: Vacuum

Data Source

PatentEP3960146B1Mechanical CPR device
Publication Date: 2023.05.10 PHYSIO CONTROL CORP
  • EP3960146B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP3960146B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP3960146B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B

AI summary

A mechanical CPR device, comprising a piston (221) having an end configured to interact with a patient's torso; a driving component configured to extend the piston toward the patient's torso and retract the piston away from the patient's torso; and a controller configured to determine a reference position (230) by controlling the driving component to at least: extend the piston until a first position at which the end comes into contact with the patient's torso, and characterised by the controller being further configured to: determine the reference position by controlling the driving component to: further extend the piston to compress the patient's torso until a first threshold is reached; retract the piston until the end is at the first position; further retract the piston from the first position until a second threshold is exceeded; extend the piston to a second point being the point at which the second threshold becomes no longer exceeded; the reference position being based at least in part on the second point; wherein the controller is further configured to perform mechanical CPR by controlling the driving component to at least: compress the patient's torso by extending the piston from the reference position to a particular depth and retracting the piston from the particular depth to the reference position..