Heartstream, Inc.

Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.v.

Clinton S Cole

Daniel J Powers

Carlton B Morgan

Thomas D Lyster

Bradford Evan Gliner

Judith L Cyrus

Garry R Gordon

David B Cameron

Steven T Mydynski

Justin Grimley

Leona Bell

Ian G MacDuff

Michael J Leventhal

Judi Cyrus

David Cameron

Bradford E Gliner

This invention provides an external defibrillator and defibrillation method that automatically compensates for patient-to-patient impedance differences in the delivery of electrotherapeutic pulses for defibrillation and cardioversion. In a preferred embodiment, the defibrillator has an energy source that may be discharged through electrodes on the patient to provide a biphasic voltage or current pulse. In one aspect of the invention, the first and second phase duration and initial first phase amplitude are predetermined values. In a second aspect of the invention, the duration of the first phase of the pulse may be extended if the amplitude of the first phase of the pulse fails to fall to a threshold value by the end of the predetermined first phase duration, as might occur with a high impedance patient. In a third aspect of the invention, the first phase ends when the first phase amplitude drops below a threshold value or when the first phase duration reaches a threshold time value, whichever comes first, as might occur with a low to average impedance patient. This method and apparatus of altering the delivered biphasic pulse thereby compensates for patient impedance differences by changing the nature of the delivered electrotherapeutic pulse, resulting in a smaller, more efficient and less expensive defibrillator.

External defibrillator capable of delivering patient impedance

A method of using a measuring instrument of unknown calibration in such a way as to correct the calibration. The method includes taking a measurement with the instrument, storing the measurement in a data storage medium, and correcting the measurement at a later time based on a determination of the amount of error in the measuring instrument. The method may also be used to remove error that is present as a result of inaccuracies that are present in the data gathering instrument. This method can be used in a write variety of instruments that are used to take measurements, but is particularly useful for medical instruments.

Method of using a measuring instrument and data gathering system

A method of using a measuring instrument of unknown calibration, the method including taking a measurement with the instrument; storing the measurement in a data storage medium; and correcting the measurement at a later time based on a determination of the amount of error in the measuring instrument. In a specific embodiment, this invention also relates to methods of gathering event data and removing error that may have been present as a result of inaccuracies in the event gathering instrument.

A method for displaying time-correlated medical event data including the steps of: providing time-correlated event data to a display device; selecting a first event to be displayed; and displaying the first event together with a time-correlated second event on the display device. Another embodiment is a method for displaying time-correlated medical event data including the steps of: manually entering data comprising a first event into a display device; time-correlating the first event with data comprising a second event collected by a medical device; and displaying the first event together with the second event on the display device.

Method and apparatus for recording and replaying time-correlated medical

A method for displaying time-correlated medical event data including the steps of: providing time-correlated event data to a display device; selecting a first event to be displayed; and displaying the first event together with a time-correlated second event on the display device. In another embodiment, the invention is a method for displaying time-correlated medical event data including the steps of: manually entering data comprising a first event into a display device; time-correlating the first event with data comprising a second event collected by a medical device; and displaying the first event together with the second event on the display device. In yet another embodiment, the invention is a method of creating a report showing the time correlation between recorded medical events, the method comprising the steps of: connecting a memory device to a display device, the memory device comprising a clock; retrieving event data and time data from a memory device; reading a memory device time from the memory device clock; and using the memory device time to associate time with the event data.

Method of assembling a time-correlated medical event database

Time and data correlated medical display system

A defibrillator with an automatic self-test system that includes a test signal generator and a defibrillator status indicator. The test system preferably performs functional tests and calibration verification tests automatically in response to test signals generated periodically and/or in response to predetermined conditions or events and indicates the test results visually and audibly. The invention also relates to a method for automatically determining and indicating a defibrillator's status without human intervention.

External defibrillator with automatic self-testing prior to use

An electrotherapy device control system that improves on prior art electrotherapy device control systems by providing for operation of the electrotherapy device with software code or instructions stored on an attachable memory device. In one embodiment, the invention is a method of controlling the operation characteristics of an electrotherapy device, including the steps of providing an electrotherapy device having a controller and a first memory, the first memory containing instructions for use by the controller to operate the electrotherapy device; attaching a second memory to the electrotherapy device, the second memory containing instructions for use by the controller to operate the electrotherapy device; and operating the electrotherapy device using instructions contained only in the second memory. The invention also includes an apparatus for performing the method and a memory device for use with the apparatus.

Electrotherapy device control system and method

Electrotherapy method for producing a multiphasic discharge based upon a

An electrotherapy method and apparatus for delivering a multiphasic waveform from an energy source to a patient. The preferred embodiment of the method comprises the steps of charging the energy source to an initial level; discharging the energy source across the electrodes to deliver electrical energy to the patient in a multiphasic waveform; monitoring a patient-dependent electrical parameter during the discharging step; shaping the waveform of the delivered electrical energy based on a value of the monitored electrical parameter, wherein the relative duration of the phases of the multiphasic waveform is dependent on the value of the monitored electrical parameter. The preferred apparatus comprises an energy source; two electrodes adapted to make electrical contact with a patient; a connecting mechanism forming an electrical circuit with the energy source and the electrodes when the electrodes are attached to a patient; and a controller operating the connecting mechanism to deliver electrical energy from the energy source to the electrodes in a multiphasic waveform the relative phase durations of which are based on an electrical parameter monitored during delivery of the electrical energy. The preferred defibrillator apparatus weighs less than 4 pounds and has a volume less than 150 cubic inches, and most preferably, weighs approximately three pounds or less and has a volume of approximately 141 cu.in.

Electrotherapy method and apparatus for external defibrillation

Method for performing self-test in a defibrillator

Method of creating a report showing the time correlation between

A defibrillator system comprising an external defibrillator, a defibrillator communicator and a communication network. In a preferred embodiment, the defibrillator comprises electrodes, an energy source and a controller, with the controller comprising an ECG signal analyzer and means for local actuation of the defibrillator to deliver an electrical pulse from the energy source to the electrodes. The communication network comprises a communication station, preferably a computer with a modem, and signal carriers, such as telephone lines, so that information can be transmitted from the communicator to the communication station. Likewise, the defibrillator communicator comprises means for automatically transmitting information to the communication station in response to deployment of the defibrillator. In alternative embodiments, additional information (such as patient ECG data and defibrillator operation data) is sent from the communicator to the communication station, and information (such as use instructions) is sent from the communication station to the communicator. The invention also includes a method of operating such a defibrillator system.

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Seattle, WA, United States of America

Clinton S Cole