Defibrillation system having defibrillator with replaceable supply module

Abstract

A defibrillation system includes an automatic external defibrillator and a supply module containing items for use in connection with the automatic external defibrillator. The supply module may be physically coupled to the defibrillator to ensure the availability of the items during operation of the defibrillator. Items within the supply module or the supply module itself may also be electrically coupled to the defibrillator to reduce the amount of time required to deploy the defibrillator when responding to an emergency medical situation. Items containable by the supply module include pads, ECG leads, gloves, scissors, PCMCIA cards and defibrillator batteries, as well as any other components or supplies desired to be included by the operator or manufacturer. The supply module may be provided with a visible or electronically readable indicia of the shelf life of the supply module or one or more items contained by the supply module. Memory or other circuitry may be provided on the supply module to communicate with the defibrillator prior to, during or after operation of the defibrillator to facilitate exchanges of information between the supply module, defibrillator, defibrillator operator and defibrillator maintenance personnel.