In embodiments, an external medical device is intended to care for a patient. If it receives an input that signifies that ventilation artifact is present in a signal of the patient, it transmits a corrective signal responsive to the received input. In further embodiments, a patient signal is received, which is generated from a patient while the patient is or was receiving chest compressions at a frequency Fc, and also receiving ventilations at frequency Fv. At least one filter mechanism may be applied to the patient signal to substantially remove artifacts at a) frequency Fc, b) a higher harmonic of frequency Fc, and c) a third frequency substantially equaling frequency Fc plus or minus frequency Fv, while substantially passing other frequencies between them. As a result, the patient signal can be cleaner, for diagnosing the patient's state more accurately.

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.

End-tidal carbon dioxide (ETCO.sub.2) measurements may be used alone as a guide to determine when to defibrillate an individual. Alternatively, ETCO.sub.2 measurements may be used in combination with amplitude spectral area measurements as a guide to determine when to defibrillate an individual.

The system and method provide for electrocardiogram analysis and optimization of patient-customized cardiopulmonary resuscitation and therapy delivery. An external medical device includes a housing and a processor within the housing. The processor can be configured to receive an input signal for a patient receiving chest compressions and to select at least one filter mechanism and to apply the filter mechanism to the signal to at least substantially remove chest compression artifacts from the signal. A real time dynamic analysis of a cardiac rhythm is applied to adjust and integrate CPR prompting of a medical device. Real-time cardiac rhythm quality is facilitated using a rhythm assessment meter.

The disclosed CPR devices, systems, and methods adjust a compression depth of a compression mechanism to account for chest collapse of the patient receiving CPR. Compression depth can be adjusted up to a maximum depth in some examples. The compression depth can also be adjusted linearly or non-linearly as the zero point or starting position of the patient's chest changes due to chest collapse. Other factors can also be used to adjust the compression depth such as patient parameters that can be observed by a rescuer or sensed by sensors wirelessly connected to or integrated into the system. CPR devices that include active decompression can also use the disclosed techniques for adjusting the chest compression depth as the patient's chest collapses.

In embodiments, a CPR chest compression system includes a retention structure that can retain the patient's body, and a compression mechanism that can perform automatically CPR compressions and releases to the patient's chest. The compression mechanism can pause the performing of the CPR compressions for a short time, so that an attendant can check the patient. The CPR system also includes a user interface that can output a human-perceptible check patient prompt, to alert an attendant to check the patient during the pause. An advantage can be when the attendant checks in situations where the condition of the patient might have changed, and an adjustment is needed. Or in situations where the patient may have improved enough to where the compressions are no longer needed.

End-tidal carbon dioxide (ETCO.sub.2) measurements may be used alone as a guide to determine when to defibrillate an individual. Alternatively, ETCO.sub.2 measurements may be used in combination with amplitude spectral area measurements as a guide to determine when to defibrillate an individual.

A method of using an ankle exoskeleton device is provided herein. The method includes collecting one or more biomechanical data points from an individual. The method also includes developing individualized musculoskeletal simulations based on the one or more biomechanical data points. In addition, the method includes creating predictive simulations by modeling effects of an ankle exoskeleton device on the individualized musculoskeletal simulations. The method also includes utilizing established device-user relationships with real-time measurements to adjust device control. Lastly, the method includes optimizing design parameters of the exoskeleton device based on the predictive simulations and user responses.

A system and method for promoting angiogenesis and adipogenesis in soft tissue using a tissue enlargement apparatus. The tissue enlargement apparatus includes an interface configured for affixation to the soft tissue. A force generating device is coupled to the interface by a connecting tube for applying mechanical forces to the soft tissue. A processor is coupled to the force generating device and is configured to apply intermittent cyclical patterns of the mechanical forces to the soft tissue to promote angiogenesis and adipogenesis in soft tissue. The intermittent cyclical patterns are based on at least one of duration, frequency, and intensity of the mechanical forces.

In embodiments, an external medical device is intended to care for a patient. If it receives an input that signifies that ventilation artifact is present in a signal of the patient, it transmits a corrective signal responsive to the received input. In further embodiments, a patient signal is received, which is generated from a patient while the patient is or was receiving chest compressions at a frequency Fc, and also receiving ventilations at frequency Fv. At least one filter mechanism may be applied to the patient signal to substantially remove artifacts at a) frequency Fc, b) a higher harmonic of frequency Fc, and c) a third frequency substantially equaling frequency Fc plus or minus frequency Fv, while substantially passing other frequencies between them. As a result, the patient signal can be cleaner, for diagnosing the patient's state more accurately.