Abstract
The invention relates to a device for controlled cardiopulmonary resuscitation, which allows the user to reanimate a human body quickly and simply during a cardiac arrest. The geometric dimensions of the claimed device are comparatively small and lie between approximately 10 and 25 cm in diameter and approximately 6 and 12 cm in height. During use, a force K is exerted onto a first force transmission means, a clearly audible signal being generated when a maximum adjustable force exertion Kmax is reached. Said clearly audible signal is primarily generated by the interaction of oscillatory elements of said device.
Claims
1-19. (canceled)
20. A multi-part device for generating a clearly audible sound when an outer force (K) acts on a first force transmission means, which acts via a spring system on a base plate in an apparatus for controlled cardiopulmonary resuscitation of a human body during cardiac arrest, said apparatus having outer geometric dimensions and shapes adapted to anatomical conditions of a human thorax close to the sternum, wherein the spring system generates a signal able to act on at least one oscillatory element thereby generating the sound, wherein the spring system comprises a plurality of spring elements wherein at least one spring element is under a predetermined prestress.
21. The multi-part device according to claim 20 wherein the spring system further comprises at least one clicking plate configured with at least one curvature on which at least one oscillatory element acts.
22. The multi-part device according to claim 21, wherein the clicking plate is configured to be oval, polygonal, heart-shaped, or round.
23. The multi-part device according to claim 21, wherein the clicking plate spontaneously generates a clicking sound when a predetermined bending is reached in one direction.
24. The multi-part device according to claim 20 further comprising peripherally arranged oscillatory elements on the first force transmission means.
25. The multi-part device according to claim 21, wherein the clicking plate independently springs back resiliently.
26. The multi-part device according to claim 21, wherein the clicking plate is arranged coaxially with respect to the first force transmission means.
27. The multi-part device according to claim 20, wherein at least one spring element is arranged to a side of a planar spring element.
28. The multi-part device according to claim 20 further comprising at least one elevation on the plane of the base plate, which interacts with projections on the inside of the first force transmission means wherein the elevation and projections engage with one another.
29. The multi-part device according to claim 20 further comprising at least one elevation on the base plate and at least one projection on the inside of the first force transmission means, wherein the at least one elevation and at least one projection receive at least one compression spring.
30. The multi-part device according to claim 29, wherein the at least one elevation and at least one projection are configured as guide elements, which define the lift of the first force transmission means and secure the first force transmission means against rotation.
31. The multi-part device according to claim 21, wherein the clicking plate is planar and rests loosely at least on three narrow support points at an edge of the clicking plate.
32. The multi-part device according to claim 21, wherein the clicking plate is in the shape of an annular disc.
33. The multi-part device according to claim 20, wherein at least one oscillatory element is a lateral oscillatory web having an angular or arcuate recess.
34. The multi-part device according to claim 20 further comprising a shaped foam, the surface of which is concave, arranged on the outside of the base plate.
35. The multi-part device according to claim 20, wherein the first force transmission means comprises a concave cover face.
36. The multi-part device according to claim 20, wherein the at least one spring element is configured as a coiled spring.
37. A method for generating a clearly audible sound when an outer force K acts on a first force transmission means, which acts via a spring system on a base plate in an apparatus for controlled cardiopulmonary resuscitation of a human body during cardiac arrest, comprising generating a clearly audible signal by means of interaction of the spring system and transmitting the signal to oscillatory elements when an adjustable limit pressure K.sub.max is reached.
Description
[0028] The invention will now be described in more detail below with the aid of drawings, in which:
[0029] FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of an embodiment of a device (1) according to the invention having a spring system (4, 5, 8) between at least one first force transmission means (2) and a base plate (3);
[0030] FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of the pear-shaped base plate (3) having an inserted clicking plate (5) around which four spring elements (4) are arranged;
[0031] FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view of the lower side of the first force transmission means (2);
[0032] FIG. 4 is a schematic plan view of the element (5) generating the signal, which element is configured as a clicking plate;
[0033] FIG. 5 is a schematic side view of the clicking plate (5).
[0034] FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of a possible embodiment of the device 1 with its essential structural elements. This device 1 consists of a first force transmission means 2, which is arranged over the force-absorbing base plate 3. Arranged between the first force transmission means 2 and the base plate 3 is a complicated spring system, which substantially consists of at least one spring element 4 and a planar spring element 5, which is configured as a clicking plate. The at least one spring element 4 is arranged to the side of the clicking plate 5 on a circular path, at least three spring elements 4 preferably being necessary to exert, on the base plate 3, a uniform force K on the available face of the base plate 3. The force K to be exerted on the first force transmission means 2 is generally between 35 and 45 kg, preferably about 40 kg, which is necessary in order to be used effectively during resuscitation of cardiopulmonary activity. In a preferred embodiment, there are four coiled springs 4, which are arranged around the clicking plate 5 on a predetermined circular path. The spring constant or spring rate R of the spring element 4 is 8.861 N/mm. The coiled spring 4 is ground at the upper and lower supports to obtain a defined support face on the base plate 3 and the first force transmission means 2. The diameter of the circular path, on which the spring elements 4 are arranged, should not exceed 100 mm so as not to make the geometric dimensions of the entire device too large, which is substantially determined by the anatomical dimensions of the thorax of the human body and by operating safety. The diameter of the planar clicking plate 5 is between approximately 30 mm and 55 mm and rests quasi in a point-shaped manner with its edge region 22 on the periphery on at least three support points 10, which rise from the plane of the base plate 3. The clicking plate 5, in the central region, has at least one curvature 7, on the upper point of which is arranged at least one second oscillatory element 8 with its one end. The other end is non-positively supported on the lower side of the first force transmission means 2. The first force transmission means 2 is virtually U-shaped in cross section, so the two sides of the U-shaped cross section, or elevations from the plane of the lower side of the first force transmission means 2, are configured as at least one oscillatory part 9 (see below), which picks up the sound waves generated by the clicking plate 5 and transmits them outwardly. In the assembled state, the spring elements 4, 5, 8 arranged between the base plate 3 and the first force transmission means 2 all have a specific prestress, which is generated in that the first force transmission means 2 and the base plate 3 each have an elevation 13, 13′ having a snap fit 14 at the end of the elevation. The snap fit 14 furthermore has a guide having a longitudinally directed degree of freedom, in which the hook of the elevation 13 moves. When the first force transmission means 2 and the base plate 3 are guided together, the two ends of the respective elevations hook into one another up to a predetermined stop, so the individual spring elements 4, 5, 8, in the assembled state, all have a specific predetermined prestress, which ultimately, as a result of the interaction between the individual spring elements, have a resulting pressure force of about 40 kg, which is necessary to lead the clicking plate 5 at the limit value to the “breakthrough” of the clicking plate 5, at which it generates a clearly perceptible sound, which is substantially transmitted to the lateral oscillatory parts at the first force transmission means 2 and is amplified by modulation of the sound waves at the oscillatory parts 9 and of the sound waves arriving directly through the recesses 9′ as a result of superimpositions of the various wave ranges in the perceptible range, so consequently a clearly audible signal sounds when the predetermined force K.sub.max of about 40 kg is reached. When the exerted force K on the first force transmission means 2 is removed, the clicking plate 5, or unit 5 generating the signal, springs back automatically into its starting position while emitting a further signal. A shaped part 16 is arranged on the lower side 15 of the base plate 3. The shaped part 16 consists of a suitable foam, such as, for example, a foam rubber, which, on the one hand, develops a resilient effect and, on the other hand, is moisture-absorbent and, as a result of its material properties and pore size, develops a specific adhesiveness on the bare skin, which has a particularly favourable effect when treating the patient. Because of the resilient effect of the foam of the shaped part 16, this spring force is to be included in the calculation of the total force of about 40 kg to generate the first audible signal. The surface of the shaped part 16 resting on the bare skin of the patient is substantially adapted to the anatomy of the thorax in the region of the sternum. The shaped part 16 is pear-shaped in plan view, wherein the thinner end 17′ of the foam part 16 should approximately coincide with the position of the lower end of the sternum when treating the patient to develop the optimum effect during resuscitation of the patient.
[0035] FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of the inside of the base plate 3 having an inserted clicking plate 5, around which are arranged four spring elements 4. The shaping of the base plate 3 is substantially pear-shaped with a thick end 18 and a thin end 17. The compression spring elements 4 are arranged on a circular path, wherein the number of compression spring elements 4 should not be less than three in order to develop an approximately uniform pressure on the base plate 3 with an irregular force exertion K on the first force transmission means 2, so when the limit force K.sub.max of 40 kg is reached, a signal is generated. Likewise, at least three elevations 13′ used for anchoring the first force transmission means 2 to the base plate 3 to form a prestress of the spring system are arranged on a circular path, which, in the present embodiment, is narrower than that of the spring elements 4. Arranged approximately centrally in the upper thicker part 18 of the base plate 3 is the clicking plate 5, which, in the simplest case, is formed integrally, but may also be multi-part and/or slotted. The outer shape of the clicking plate 5 can be selected as desired, preferably round.
[0036] FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view of the lower side of the first force transmission means 2 in a round embodiment. Arranged in the region of the periphery of the first force transmission means 2 are oscillatory parts 9, which can also be configured as a web with recesses 9′. The oscillatory parts 9 on the peripheral edge of the first force transmission means 2 are advantageously produced from the same material as the cover face of the first force transmission means 2. The oscillatory parts are slightly thinner with respect to the thickness d than the thickness D of the cover face of the first force transmission means 2 in order to better be able to transmit the sound oscillations. Overall, the first force transmission means 2 acts as a resonance body, on which, on the one hand, the oscillations of the oscillatory spring element 8 and, on the other hand, the sound oscillations generated by the clicking plate 5 (signal-producing unit) act in particular on the lateral peripheral oscillatory parts 9. The oscillatory spring element 8 arranged around the centre point of the first force transmission means 2 carries out a plurality of functions. On the one hand, it transmits the lift of the first force transmission means 2 to the clicking plate 5 and, on the other hand, it absorbs the oscillations of the clicking plate 5 and transmits them to the resonance body, i.e. onto the lower side of the first force transmission means 2, without decisively damping the oscillations. The spring constant of the spring element 8 has to be greater than the spring constant of the clicking plate 5 to press the clicking plate 5 to the “breakthrough” generating the signal, at which it generates a clearly perceptible signal.
[0037] FIG. 4 is the plan view of an embodiment of a clicking plate 5 in a round embodiment. The outer diameter is between 22 mm and 55 mm, preferably about 45 mm, in order to take into account the anatomical conditions of the human thorax with the geometric dimensions. In the edge region, the clicking plate 5 has a bending edge 21, so an annular face 22 is formed, which is used as a loose support face for at least three support elements 10. The central face 20 is arcuately curved and is actuated by the spring element 8 in both directions. In a further embodiment, the central face 20 has slots 22, which are used to change the sound and also to amplify the volume of the signal generated by superimposing the different wave packets. As FIG. 5 clearly shows, a curved elevation 23, which provides the spring element 8 with a certain hold on the curvature of the face 20, can be impressed around the centre point.
[0038] In conclusion, the present invention provides a device 1 for controlled cardiopulmonary resuscitation, which device enables the user to carry out a quick and uncomplicated resuscitation of a human body during cardiac arrest. The geometric dimensions of the device 1 according to the invention are comparatively small and are between approximately 10 and 25 cm in diameter and about 6 to 12 cm in height. During application, a force K is exerted on a first force transmission means 2, at which, when a maximum adjustable force exertion K.sub.max is reached, a clearly audible signal is generated. The clearly audible signal is primarily generated by the interaction of oscillatory elements 5, 8, 9 of the device 1.
[0039] The features of the above-described embodiments may obviously be combined with one another as desired, so a feature from the one embodiment can also be taken up in another embodiment without departing from the basic idea of the invention.
LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS
[0040] 1 device [0041] 2 first force transmission means [0042] 3 base plate [0043] 4 spring element [0044] 5 clicking plate [0045] 7 curvature [0046] 8 spring element [0047] 9 oscillatory web [0048] 9′ recess [0049] 10 support point [0050] 13 projection [0051] 13′ elevation [0052] 14 snap fit [0053] 15 lower side of the base plate [0054] 16 shaped part made of suitable foam [0055] 17 thin end of the base plate 3 [0056] 17′ thinner end of the foam part 16 [0057] 18 thick end of the base plate 3 [0058] 19 elevation [0059] 20 curvature [0060] 21 bending edge [0061] 22 annular face [0062] 23 curved elevation [0063] 4, 5, 8, 16 spring system [0064] 4, 5, 8, 9 spring system [0065] 5, 8, 9 unit generating a signal [0066] 8, 9 oscillatory element [0067] d thickness [0068] D thickness [0069] S signal [0070] K force [0071] K.sub.max limit pressure/maximum force effect
