Patent ID: 6066106
Filing Date: 2000-05-23
Classification: A61H,Y10S

Abstract:
A device for compressing the chest of a patient comprising:a belt adapted to extend around the chest of the patient and fastened on the patient;belt tensioning means operably connected to the belt for repeatedly tightening and loosening the belt around the chest of the patient;a motor operably connected to the belt tensioning means, said motor capable of operating the belt tensioning means repeatedly to cause the belt to tighten about the chest of the patient and loosen about the chest of the patient;a brake operably connected to the belt tensioning means and capable of holding the belt tensioning means in a tightened state about the chest of the patient;a clutch between the motor and the belt tensioning means, said clutch capable of connecting and disconnecting the motor from the belt tensioning means, said clutch being capable of engagement and disengagement while the motor is in operation; anda controller for controlling operation of the motor, brake and clutch, said controller programmed to operate the motor brake and clutch to cause repeated cycles of tightening of the belt to a set threshold of tightness, momentarily hold the belt at this threshold of tightness, and release of the belt.