A method to increase the overall hemodynamic efficacy of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) by alternating between chest compression-decompression cycles optimized to either cardiac output or venous return. The phases of cardiac output and venous return enhancement may themselves by adjusted in their duration and character. The method may enhance mechanical and manual techniques delivered to the anterior or circumferential chest, and be synchronized to adjunctive techniques such as airway, ventilatory or abdominal therapies.

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.

In embodiments, a Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) system includes a retention structure, a compression mechanism coupled to the retention structure and a backboard. The retention structure and the backboard can be assembled together so as to form a closed loop that surrounds the patient's torso, and a piston of the compression mechanism is movable towards and away from a chest of a patient. In addition, the CPR system has a stabilizing member, and a coupler configured to couple the stabilizing member to the backboard. The stabilizing member can prevent the retention structure from tilting while the CPR system delivers chest compressions to the patient.

An apparatus for promoting shallow breathing of a patient includes a paddle, a belt, and a bladder. The paddle may be configured to contact the body of the patient. The belt may be configured to secure the paddle against the body of the patient. Finally, the bladder may be interposed between the belt and the paddle in the installed condition, such that inflating the bladder urges the paddle toward the body of the patient so as to apply pressure to the abdomen of the patient. A method of promoting shallow breathing is also provided that includes attaching a paddle and a bladder to a belt, such that the bladder is between the paddle and the belt, positioning the paddle on the patient, and inflating the bladder to urge the paddle toward the body of the patient such that the paddle applies pressure to the abdomen of the patient.

A rigid back member of an automatic mechanical chest compression device is secured to a torso support platform. The torso support platform includes a main support strap immediately below where the rigid back member is secured to the torso support platform, and an upper support strap above where the rigid back member is secured to the torso support platform. The torso support platform tapers towards the top at approximately where a patient's shoulders are located when properly secured to the torso support platform. Additional straps may also be utilized, for example, shoulder straps extend over the shoulders of the patient and are secured to the torso support platform at a point below the patient's armpits, or straps that extend from the tapered section and secure to the automatic mechanical chest compression device.

A chest compression monitor for measuring the depth of chest compressions achieved during CPR. A sensor of the chest compression monitor is disposed within its housing such that compression of the housing due to CPR compressions, and its resultant deformation, is detected by the sensor and used by the control system as the starting point for calculating chest compression depth based on an acceleration signal indicative of the downward displacement of the chest.

A system and method for determining CPR induced chest compression depth using two sensors while accounting for different orientations of the two sensors. The system may include a first motion sensor operable to generate motion signals corresponding to motion in a first coordinate frame defined by a first set of axes and a second motion sensor operable to generate motion signals corresponding to motion in a second coordinate frame defined by a second set of axes and a control system operable to receive the motion signals from the first motion sensor and the second motion sensor, rotate the motion signals from the first motion sensor into the second coordinate frame to obtain rotated motion signals corresponding to the motion signals from the first motion sensor, and combine the rotated motion signals with the motion signals from the second motion sensor to generate an output indicative of said displacement.

A head up CPR system may include a base and an upper support coupled with the base and configured to elevate a patient's upper body. The system may include a chest compression device that is coupleable with one or both of the base and the upper support and a positive pressure ventilation system that is coupleable with the base.

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.

Increasing blood circulation, lowering intracranial pressure, and increasing cerebral perfusion pressure during the administration of cardiopulmonary resuscitation by gravity-assist due to elevation of one or both of the torso and head of an individual.