A distension/compression device for assisting breathing in a subject is disclosed. In one embodiment, a first tube includes a flexible and elastic material that forms a first tube lumen extending from a proximal end to a distal end of the first tube. Longitudinal expansion of the first tube is restricted less than radial expansion of the first tube. A connection element including a first air supply port is in fluid communication with an open proximal end of the first tube lumen and attached to a proximal end of the first tube. A method for assisting breathing of a patient and a method for assisting the clearing of secretions is also included.

An alignment device for assisting a rescuer for correctly aligning a mechanical cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) device. The alignment device can guide positioning of the backboard so that the backboard is correctly positioned prior to connecting an upper portion of the mechanical CPR device to the backboard. The alignment device can also include positioning the mechanical CPR device without a backboard or positioning the backboard and the upper portion of the mechanical CPR device nearly simultaneously.

An alignment device for assisting a rescuer for correctly aligning a mechanical cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) device. The alignment device can guide positioning of the backboard so that the backboard is correctly positioned prior to connecting an upper portion of the mechanical CPR device to the backboard. The alignment device can also include positioning the mechanical CPR device without a backboard or positioning the backboard and the upper portion of the mechanical CPR device nearly simultaneously.

Embodiments of the present concept are directed to CPR chest compression machines that include a sensor to detect a parameter about a patient, such as an indication of patient recovery, and include a processor that determines whether to cease series of successive compressions on the patient in response to the detected parameter.

A system for managing treatment of a person in need of emergency assistance is provided. The system includes at least one camera configured to be mounted to a person in need of medical assistance. The system also includes an image processing device, which can be configured to receive images captured by the at least one camera and to process the images to generate a representation of a rescue scene surrounding the person. The system further includes an analysis device. The analysis device can be configured to determine a characteristic associated with a resuscitation activity based on analysis of the representation of the rescue scene generated by the image processing device. A computer-implemented method for managing treatment of a person in need of emergency assistance is also provided.

A method for cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) includes supplying an inflation gas at an operative pressure to an inflation actuated soft gripper device to change form from an undeployed state to a deployed grip state that accommodates and grips a human torso. The inflation actuated soft gripper device includes a first inflatable gripper arm having a first distal end and a second inflatable gripper arm having a second distal end. The first distal end and the second distal end approach one another from the undeployed state to the deployed grip state. The first and second distal ends are spaced apart from one another further in the undeployed state than in the deployed grip state. An actuator power and a CPR control signal are delivered to a CPR pressure application device to cyclically extend and retract a pressure applicator along an axis in alignment with a sternum of the human torso.

Automated CPR systems incorporating biological feedback can include an automated compression piston system, a data acquisition system, computer systems for running various control algorithms, ventilation control systems, and/or drug delivery systems. Automated CPR systems can be used as stand-alone systems for treating patients in cardiac arrest, or they can be used to administer pretreatment to a patient prior to defibrillation.

In one general aspect, in an embodiment, a method is performed by a computer system. The method includes providing a user interface having a user interface control that simulates chest compressions during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). The method also includes receiving a real-time simulated compression indicator via the user interface control. The method also includes recording information related to the real-time simulated compression indicator in a compression time series. The method also includes providing, in the user interface, real-time feedback regarding a time distribution of at least a portion of the compression time series.

An improvement to portable cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), includes a first module hub housing, an inflation actuated soft gripper configured to receive an inflation gas in response, to change form to a deployed grip state that accommodates and grips a human torso. Improvements include the inflatable gripper not requiring lifting the patient. Improvements also include modularity for in-the-field reconfigurability, in which a second module hub housing attaches to the first module hub housing, carrying a CPR pressure applicator configured to receive an actuator power and control signal causing, concurrent with the deployed grip state, cyclic extension and retraction of a pressure applicator along an axis aligned with a sternum of the human torso.

An active backboard that can assist with adjusting a patient on the backboard to ensure that the backboard is correctly aligned for a compression mechanism of an upper portion of a mechanical cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) device to perform compressions. The active backboard can also include multiple layers that can slide or move relative to each other to move the patient relative to the backboard. The active backboard can include roller bars, a wheel, and/or projections to assist with moving a patient relative to the backboard.