A method for performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) includes elevating the head, heart and shoulders of an individual from a starting elevation angle to a final elevation angle greater than zero degrees relative to horizontal while performing CPR by repeatedly compressing the chest. The method includes elevating the brain within a time period selected to be slow enough to permit a sufficient amount of blood to flow to the brain throughout the elevation time period. The method also includes regulating the intrathoracic pressure of the individual while performing CPR. The performance of chest compressions is stopped and after stopping the performance of chest compressions, the head, heart, and shoulders are promptly from the final elevation angle within a timeframe selected to prevent significant drainage of blood from the brain until the head, heart and shoulders are lowered.

A portable medical device having improved ECG trace display and reporting. Embodiments implement features to ameliorate artifacts created by virtue of attempting to eliminate compression artifacts due to mechanical compression devices. Other embodiments additionally implement features to seek to detect the occurrence of ROSC while chest compressions are ongoing.

A device, a kit and a method is presented for permanently augmenting the pump function of the left heart. The mitral valve plane is assisted in a movement along the left ventricular long axis during each heart cycle. The very close relationship between the coronary sinus and the mitral valve is used by various embodiments of a medical device providing this assisted movement. By means of catheter technique an implant is inserted into the coronary sinus, the device is augmenting the up and down movement of the mitral valve and thereby increasing the left ventricular diastolic filling when moving upwards and the piston effect of the closed mitral valve when moving downwards.

An automated resuscitation system is provided, which can improve the outcome of patients suffering ventricular fibrillation or the ventricular tachycardia variants of cardiac arrest. This outcome can be achieved by a device that integrates automatic mechanical or pneumatic capability with electrical countershock capability such that the probability of defibrillation or cardioversion with return of spontaneous circulation is increased.

A method for performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) includes elevating the heart of an individual to a first height relative to a lower body of the individual. The lower body may be in a substantially horizontal plane. The method may also include elevating the head of the individual to a second height relative to the lower body of the individual. The second height may be greater than the first height. The method may further include performing one or more of a type of CPR or a type of intrathoracic pressure regulation while elevating the heart and the head. The first height and the second height may be determined based on one or both of the type of CPR or the type of intrathoracic pressure regulation.

The present disclosure includes various examples for cooling electronics within a medical device while preventing or reducing the risk of an interior of the medical device being contaminated with a pathogen. The present disclosure includes a medical device having an air deflector to deflect potentially contaminated air from infecting a patient or caregiver. The present disclosure also includes medical devices with disinfectant devices installed to disinfect air either before entering the medical device or before exiting the device. Other examples of the present disclosure include medical devices that are sealed from outside air and fluids, and which may include a cooling device on an exterior surface which may be cleaned and/or removed after each use.

A removeable and easily attachable/detachable rail system for use with chest compression devices and portable patient carrier boards. The rail system can include an elongated grooved structure providing multiple points of attachment for a chest compression device. The elongated grooved structure is removably affixed to the carrier board using one or more clamp mechanisms adapted to engage a side panel or hand hole of the board. The rail system allows first responders the ability to quickly and efficiently provide cardiopulmonary resuscitation assistance to a patient, while allowing for faster patient transport.

A cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) device for performing automatic defibrillation and chest compressions on a patient and method for using same. The CPR device having a balloon configured to inflate/deflate, a belt configured to securely strap around a chest of a patient, a pair of electrode pads configured to deliver shock energy from a shock source, and, optionally, a pulse oximeter sensor. The CPR device is in electrical communication with a CPR defibrillator/ECG computer system that is configured to control the CPR device.

Various embodiments of systems, devices, components, and methods for providing external therapeutic vibration stimulation to a patient are disclosed and described. Therapeutic vibration stimulation is provided to at least one location on or adjacent to a patient's skin (such as through clothing or a layer disposed next to the patient's skin), and is configured to trigger or induce resonance or high amplitude oscillations in a cardiovascular system of the patient. Inducing such resonance can aid in training autonomic reflexes and improve their functioning.

A chest compression device with a chest compression belt assembly including guards and sensors operable with a control system to control operation of the system depending on detection of proper installation of the guards.