Stage and state monitoring automated external defibrillator

Abstract

A circuit detectable arrangement of a plurality of medical electrodes is provided with each electrode having an electrically nonconductive backing layer, a layer of electrically conductive adhesive disposed on the backing layer and a lead wire extending therefrom and electrically connected with the conductive adhesive. More specifically, a first electrode is disposed on an electrically nonconductive liner, a second electrode is disposed on an electrically nonconductive liner, and an electrical connector is provided between the first and second electrodes for electrically completing a circuit connecting the lead wire of the first electrode to the lead wire of the second electrode. Preferably, the backing layers of the first and second electrodes each include a conductor portion, and the electrical connector is connected between the conductor portion of the backing layer of the first electrode and the conductor portion of the backing layer of the second electrode. The electrical connector preferably comprises a strip of flexible and electrically conductive material and may include a nonconductive tear resistant strip. Utilizing the electrode packaging above, the present invention monitors the state of the AED and the stage of a rescue. In particular, at least five stages of a rescue are monitored. These include: 1) rescue initiated; 2) preparing victim; 3) applying electrodes; 4) AED in use; and 5) rescue completed.