Patent ID: 6694187
Filing Date: 2004-02-17
Classification: A61N

Abstract:
A method for instructing a user as to bow to treat a patient with a defibrillator, comprising:analyzing electrocardiogram data of the patient to determine whether a shockable condition exists; based on the analyzing step, when a non-shockable condition exists, detecting whether the non-shockable condition is one of normal heart function and asystole; communicating to the user that the patient is in asystole where an asystole condition is detected; and communicating to the user that normal heart function of the patient has resumed where normal heart function is detected, wherein when asystole is detected, determining whether the asystole qualifies as a prolonged asystole according to predetermined criteria, and communicating to the user that asystole endured by the patient comprises said prolonged asystole, and wherein the step of determining whether the asystole qualifies as a prolonged asystole comprises recording a duration of time from the onset of asystole.