A device for assisting a caregiver in delivering cardiac resuscitation to a patient, the device comprising a user interface configured to deliver prompts to a caregiver to assist the caregiver in delivering cardiac resuscitation to a patient; at least one sensor configured to detect the caregiver's progress in delivering the cardiac resuscitation, wherein the sensor is configured to provide a signal containing information indicative of ventilation; a memory in which a plurality of different prompts are stored, including at least one ventilation progress prompt to guide the rescuer's performance of ventilation; a processor configured to process the output of the sensor to determine a parameter descriptive of ventilation progress and to determine whether the ventilation progress prompt should be selected for delivery. Possible parameters descriptive of ventilation progress include ventilation rate, delivered tidal volume, and flow rate.

A medical device uses UWB units to infer a position of an adjunct positioned in proximity to an exterior portion of a patient's body. The position information can be used to provide CPR feedback to a rescuer. In other applications, the position information can be used to provide prompts to a user to change the position of the adjunct.

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.

A system for facilitating resuscitation includes: a first electrode assembly having a therapy side and a first motion sensor; a second electrode assembly having a therapy side and a second motion sensor; processing circuitry operatively connected to and programmed to receive and process signals from the first and second motion sensors to estimate at least one of a chest compression depth and rate during administration of chest compressions and to compare the chest compression depth or rate to a desired range; and an output device for providing instructions to a user to administer chest compressions based on the comparison of the estimated chest compression depth or rate to the desired range. One or both of the electrode assemblies may be constructed so that the conductive therapeutic portion is able to maintain substantial conformance to the anatomy of the patient when coupled thereto. For example, at least a portion of the flexible electrode pad may be able to flex from a more rigid sensor housing, or the sensor housing itself may be relatively small compared to the flexible electrode pad so as not to cause lift off of the therapeutic side from the patient.

A cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) assistance device (400) is described for use by a rescuer providing manual CPR. The device has a visual indicator (430, 418, 420, 422) arranged about its periphery, such that visual assistance to the rescuer can be provided regardless of the rescuer' s hand position. The CPR assistance device also includes a staged method of providing visual assistance, such that increasingly urgent information is provided if the sensed CPR accuracy fails to improve.

A system for facilitating resuscitation includes: a first electrode assembly having a therapy side and a first motion sensor; a second electrode assembly having a therapy side and a second motion sensor; processing circuitry operatively connected to and programmed to receive and process signals from the first and second motion sensors to estimate at least one of a chest compression depth and rate during administration of chest compressions and to compare the chest compression depth or rate to a desired range; and an output device for providing instructions to a user to administer chest compressions based on the comparison of the estimated chest compression depth or rate to the desired range. One or both of the electrode assemblies may be constructed so that the conductive therapeutic portion is able to maintain substantial conformance to the anatomy of the patient when coupled thereto. For example, at least a portion of the flexible electrode pad may be able to flex from a more rigid sensor housing, or the sensor housing itself may be relatively small compared to the flexible electrode pad so as not to cause lift off of the therapeutic side from the patient.

A method for treating a patient includes providing a defibrillation and pacing device configured to be worn on a continuous basis by a patient, the defibrillation and pacing device comprising a (i) capacitor and associated circuitry and (ii) an activity sensor. The method includes placing on the patient electrodes configured to detect an ECG of the patient, monitoring the ECG signals and activity of the patient, determining from at least the ECG signal and activity of the patient whether the patient meets an at least one of a bradycardia condition and asystole condition, and, if it is determined that the patient meets the bradycardia condition, providing pacing therapy.

A medical apparatus provides resuscitative therapy to a patient. The apparatus includes an electrocardiogram (ECG) input, a defibrillation output configured to provide an electrical defibrillation shock treatment, and an applicator body configured to provide active compression decompression therapy to the patient's chest. The applicator body includes a rescuer end configured for hands of the rescuer to press and pull on the applicator body, a coupling surface configured to adhere to the patient's chest to provide active compression decompression therapy, a capacitor, and processor(s) configured to receive and analyze the ECG signal of the patient, determine whether the patient is in need of defibrillation, and administer the defibrillation shock treatment to the patient.

A medical device uses UWB units to infer a position of an adjunct positioned in proximity to an exterior portion of a patient's body. The position information can be used to provide CPR feedback to a rescuer. In other applications, the position information can be used to provide prompts to a user to change the position of the adjunct.

Methods and devices are described, such as for chest compression depth measurement for CPR performed on infants and for allowing active decompression of a patient's chest during a release phase of a chest compression cycle. An anterior segment of a resilient wrap-around structure may be positioned on the patient's sternum, including a first motion sensor. A posterior segment of the resilient wrap-around structure may be positioned on the patient's back, including a second motion sensor. Chest compressions may be provided such that the first motion sensor moves in fixed relation with the patient's sternum and the second sensor moves in fixed relation with the patient's back. Active decompression may be allowed for, including the resilient wrap-around structure exerting an expansive force on the patient's chest wall during a release phase of a chest compression cycle and hastening expansion of the patient's chest during the release phase.