A distension/compression device for assisting breathing in a subject according to one embodiment includes a first tube having a flexible and elastic material that forms a first tube lumen extending from a proximal end to a distal end of the first tube. Longitudinal expansion of the first tube is restricted less than radial expansion of the first tube. A connection element including a first air supply port is in fluid communication with an open proximal end of the first tube lumen and attached to a proximal end of the first tube. A method for assisting breathing of a patient and a method for assisting the clearing of secretions is also included.

The Conformal Vest Ventilator (CVV) is a vest-like mechanism to cause or aid breathing in humans The Conformal Vest Ventilator consists of a series of expanding and contracting tubes that fit around the torso, similar to clothing, and which change shape in a manner that expands the thoracic cavity to create negative pressure ventilation in the lungs, similar to the natural ventilation created by the diaphragm muscle and the expanding rib cage. The CVV creates a breathing support system that is less intrusive than existing methods, and can improve the lives of people with COPD or paralyzed diaphragm muscles and is useful in other medical conditions, including sleep apnea, critical care, spinal cord injuries, and athletic training or physical therapy when the primary goal is to increase lung capacity.

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. The system includes an applicator device configured to provide ACD CPR treatment to a patient's chest according to a plurality of phases at least one sensor configured to be coupled to the patient's chest and to measure at least one parameter related to the ACD CPR treatment and information for determining whether at least one transition point of the ACD CPR treatment has been reached; and one or more processors configured to provide a feedback signal based on a parameter for administering ACD CPR treatment to the patient's chest according to a desired treatment protocol.

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.

The invention relates to a sensor device for capturing data when carrying out first aid measures for reanimating a person affected by a cardiac arrest. The sensor device is exactly positioned on the chest of the patient by means of a positioning-aid apparatus (5) and affixed by means of a fastening means (2). The thorax compressions, i.e., the pressing-in depth and compression frequency, are detectable by means of a motion sensor. A data-transfer interface allows communication, e.g. wireless communication, with a mobile terminal.

Apparatuses, systems and methods are provided that may include a system for patient monitoring and defibrillation. The system may include at least two defibrillation electrodes. The system may further include a first unit for physiological monitoring of a patient, including ECG monitoring circuitry for monitoring ECG of the patient. The first unit may store CPR chest compression data. The system may further include a second unit, separate from the first unit, which may communicatively couple with the first unit, for providing defibrillation pulses to the patient. The second unit may include a processor, communicatively coupled with the at least two defibrillation electrodes, for providing defibrillation pulses to the patient via the at least two defibrillation electrodes.

A distension/compression device for assisting breathing in a subject is disclosed. In one embodiment, a first tube includes a flexible and elastic material that forms a first tube lumen extending from a proximal end to a distal end of the first tube. Longitudinal expansion of the first tube is restricted less than radial expansion of the first tube. A connection element including a first air supply port is in fluid communication with an open proximal end of the first tube lumen and attached to a proximal end of the first tube. A method for assisting breathing of a patient and a method for assisting the clearing of secretions is also included.

An alignment device for assisting a rescuer for correctly aligning a mechanical cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) device. The alignment device can guide positioning of the backboard so that the backboard is correctly positioned prior to connecting an upper portion of the mechanical CPR device to the backboard. The alignment device can also include positioning the mechanical CPR device without a backboard or positioning the backboard and the upper portion of the mechanical CPR device nearly simultaneously.

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.