The invention relates to a method of controlling a respiratory assistance apparatus delivering a flow of gas, particularly a flow of air, comprising the steps of measuring at least one parameter indicative of said flow of gas; converting said at least one parameter indicative of said flow of gas into at least one signal indicative of said flow of gas; processing said at least one signal indicative of the flow of gas in order therefrom to deduce at least one item of information relating to cardiac massage being performed on a patient in cardiac arrest; on the basis of said at least one deduced item of information, automatically selecting a given ventilation mode from among a number of stored ventilation modes, and controlling the respiratory assistance apparatus by applying the selected ventilation mode. Respiratory assistance apparatus capable of implementing said control method.

The invention relates to a respiratory-aid apparatus (1) capable of supplying a stream of gas to a patient (P), comprising a gas-transport pipe (2) for transporting a stream of gas, such as air; measurement means (6) designed to measure at least one parameter representing the stream of gas and to supply at least one signal corresponding to said at least one parameter representing said stream of gas, for example the gas flow rate or pressure; signal-processing means (8) designed to process said at least one signal from the measurement means (6) and to deduce therefrom at least one piece of information (I1, I2, I3) characterising a cardiac massage performed on a patient; and display means (7) designed to display said at least one piece of information (I1, I2, I3) characterising a cardiac massage from the signal-processing means (8). The signal-processing means (8) are preferably capable of determining information representing the work (W.sub.V, W.sub.T) provided by the massage or pressure and/or flow rate amplitudes resulting from the massage. The invention also relates to a monitoring method capable of being implemented by such a respiratory-aid apparatus (1).

An apparatus for providing improved access to an automated external defibrillator includes a computerized communication system providing access to a remote server device operated by an emergency responder, a power system providing power to the automated external defibrillator, and the automated external defibrillator in electronic communication with the communication system and the power system.

A defibrillator (AED) and method for using a defibrillator incorporates a user activated button which truncates an ongoing ECG analysis to immediately perform a different defibrillator-related function. For example, the AED may use two different ECG analysis algorithms having different sensitivities to a shockable cardiac rhythm, and a press of the button may automatically shift from a first algorithm to a second algorithm with the higher sensitivity. The button may also allow truncation of ongoing analysis and CPR for immediate preparation for electrotherapy.

The present invention is a method for improving hemodynamics and clinical outcome of patients suffering cardiac arrest and other low-flow states by combination of circumferential constriction and anteroposterior compression decompression of the chest cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Anteroposterior compression decompression may be provided by a piston mechanism attached to a gantry above the patient. Circumferential constriction may be achieved by inflation of pneumatic bladders or shortening of a band. The on-off sequence and relative force of circumferential constriction and anteroposterior compression decompression may be adjusted so as to improve efficacy.

This document relates to systems and techniques for the treatment of a cardiac arrest victim via electromagnetic stimulation of physiologic tissue.

An apparatus for assisting a rescuer in performing chest compressions during CPR on a victim, the apparatus comprising a pad or other structure configured to be applied to the chest near or at the location at which the rescuer applies force to produce the chest compressions, at least one sensor connected to the pad, the sensor being configured to sense movement of the chest or force applied to the chest, processing circuitry for processing the output of the sensor to determine whether the rescuer is substantially releasing the chest following chest compressions, and at least one prompting element connected to the processing circuitry for providing the rescuer with information as to whether the chest is being substantially released following chest compressions.

A system includes a guidance device that provides feedback to a user to compress a patient's chest at a rate of between about 90 and 110 compressions per minute and at a depth of between about 4.5 centimeters to about 6 centimeters. The system includes a pressure regulation system having a pressure-responsive valve that is configured to be coupled to a patient's airway. The pressure-responsive valve is configured to remain closed during successive chest compressions in order to permit removal at least about 200 ml from the lungs in order to lower intracranial pressure to improve survival with favorable neurological function. The pressure-responsive valve is configured to remain closed until the negative pressure within the patient's airway reaches about −7 cm H.sub.2O, at which time the pressure-responsive valve is configured to open to provide respiratory gases to flow to the lungs through the pressure-responsive valve.

Systems and methods related to the field of cardiac resuscitation, and in particular to devices for assisting rescuers in performing cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR), are described herein. In one aspect, a method for managing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) treatment to a person in need of emergency assistance includes monitoring a parameter that indicates a fatigue level of a rescuer and providing an indication that a different person should perform the CPR component if the rescuer is exhibiting fatigue.

A system and method for mechanical CPR can include a device for providing compressive force to various locations on a patient, and biological monitoring systems to measure the effectiveness of the various locations of compressive force in pumping blood through the patient. The system can also include providing decompressive force to increase the efficacy of blood flow.