Abstract:
A CPR template for use by a rescuer in performing CPR includes a pliable mask portion, a pliable body portion and a connecting link that joins the mask portion to the body portion. The mask portion is adapted to be placed over the face of a person, and includes a mouthpiece extending therethrough for use in administering rescue breaths. The body portion has a sternal diagram displayed thereon, and an instructional area in which CPR instructions are displayed.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/144,874, which was filed on Apr. 8, 2015. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention relates to an aid to facilitate the correct application of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (“CPR”) to a human patient. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    CPR is a lifesaving technique that is useful in many emergencies in which a human patient&#39;s breathing and/or heartbeat has stopped, including heart attack or near drowning. When the heart stops, the lack of oxygenated blood can cause brain damage in only a few minutes. A person may die within eight to ten minutes. CPR can keep oxygenated blood flowing to the patient&#39;s brain and other vital organs until more definitive medical treatment can restore a normal heart rhythm. 
         [0004]    If a patient is encountered whose breathing and/or heartbeat has stopped, the American Heart Association recommends that CPR be begun with 30 chest compressions. Then, it is recommended that the patient&#39;s airway be checked, and the rescuer begin to give rescue breaths. This recommendation applies to adults, children and infants needing CPR, but not newborns. 
         [0005]    Before starting CPR, a rescuer should check to determine if the patient is conscious or unconscious. If the patient appears to be unconscious, the rescuer should tap or shake his or her shoulder and ask loudly, “Are you OK?” If the patient doesn&#39;t respond and two people are available, one should call 911 or the local emergency number and one should begin CPR. If a rescuer is alone and has immediate access to a telephone, he or she should call 911 before beginning CPR, unless it is believed that the patient has become unresponsive because of suffocation (such as from drowning). If this is the case, CPR should be begun for one minute before the 911 (or local emergency) call is placed. If an automated external defibrillator (“AED”) is available, the American Heart Association recommends that one shock be delivered per the instructions on the device before CPR is begun. 
         [0006]    The American Heart Association uses the acronym CAB, for “compressions, airway, breathing” to help people remember the order to perform the steps of CPR. The purpose of “compressions” is to restore blood circulation. The first step is to place the patient on his or her back on a firm surface. Then for an adult patient, the rescuer should kneel next to the patient&#39;s neck and shoulders, and place the heel of one hand over the center of the patient&#39;s chest, between the nipples. The rescuer should then place his or her other hand on top of the first hand, keeping his/her elbows straight and positioning his/her shoulders directly above the hands on the patient&#39;s chest. The rescuer should then use his/her upper body weight to push straight down on (compress) the chest by at least 2 inches (approximately 5 centimeters). Compression should be carried out at a rate of about 100 compressions per minute. If the rescuer hasn&#39;t been trained in CPR, the American Heart Association recommends that he/she continue chest compressions without initiating rescue breathing until there are signs of movement or until emergency medical personnel take over. If the rescuer has been trained in CPR, he/she should proceed to checking the airway and initiating rescue breathing. 
         [0007]    After a rescuer who has been trained in CPR has performed 30 chest compressions, he/she should open the patient&#39;s airway using a head-tilt, chin-lift maneuver. This requires the rescuer to put his/her palm on the patient&#39;s forehead and gently tilt the patient&#39;s head back. Then with the other hand, the rescuer should gently lift the patient&#39;s chin forward to open the airway. The rescuer should then check for normal breathing, taking no more than 5-10 seconds to do so. The rescuer should look for chest motion, listen for normal breath sounds, and feel for the patient&#39;s breath on the rescuer&#39;s cheek or ear. Gasping by the patient is not considered to be normal breathing. If the patient isn&#39;t breathing normally, mouth-to-mouth breathing for the patient should be begun. 
         [0008]    Rescue breathing can be mouth-to-mouth breathing or mouth-to-nose breathing if the mouth is seriously injured or can&#39;t be opened. With the airway open (using the head-tilt, chin-lift maneuver), the rescuer should pinch the nostrils of the patient shut for mouth-to-mouth breathing and cover the patient&#39;s mouth with his/her own making a seal. The rescuer should give a first rescue breath, lasting about one second, and then watch to see if the patient&#39;s chest rises. If it does rise, the rescuer can proceed with a second breath. If the patient&#39;s chest doesn&#39;t rise, the rescuer should repeat the head-tilt, chin-lift maneuver before giving the second breath. Thirty chest compressions followed by two rescue breaths is considered one CPR cycle. If the patient has not responded after five cycles (about two minutes) and an AED is available, it should be applied pursuant to the directions and prompts provided by the device. The rescuer should administer one shock, then resume CPR, starting with chest compressions, for two more minutes before administering a second shock. The rescuer should continue CPR until there are signs of movement or until emergency medical personnel arrive. 
         [0009]    The procedure for giving CPR to a child between the ages of one and eight is essentially the same as that for an adult. However, if the rescuer is alone, he/she should perform five cycles of compressions and breaths on the child, taking about two minutes, before calling 911 or using an AED. The rescuer should only use one hand to perform chest compressions, and he/she should breathe more gently. The same compression-breath rate should be used as is used for adults, 30 compressions followed by two breaths comprising one cycle. Following the two breaths, the rescuer should immediately begin the next cycle of compressions and breaths. After five cycles (about two minutes) of CPR, if there is no response and an AED is available, it should be applied pursuant to the directions and prompts provided by the device. The rescuer should use pediatric defibrillator pads, if available, for children ages one through eight. If pediatric pads aren&#39;t available, adult pads may be used. After one shock has been administered, CPR should be resumed, starting with chest compressions, for two more minutes before administering a second shock. CPR should be continued until the child moves or help arrives. 
         [0010]    For infants (i.e., children less than one year old), the rescuer should first stroke the baby and watch for a response, such as movement. The baby should not be shaken. Since most cardiac arrests in babies occur from lack of oxygen such as from drowning or choking, the rescuer should look for an airway obstruction, or perform first aid for choking. If no obstruction is found, CPR should be begun. If the rescuer is alone, CPR should be conducted for five cycles, about two minutes, before calling 911 or a local emergency number. The baby should be placed on his or her back on a firm, flat surface, such as a table or floor. Imagining a transverse line drawn between the baby&#39;s nipples, the rescuer should place two fingers of one hand just below this imaginary line, in the center of the chest, and gently compress the chest about 1.5 inches (about 4 centimeters). The rescuer should continue chest compressions at a rate of 100 compressions per minute. After 30 compressions, the rescuer should gently tip the baby&#39;s head back by lifting the chin with one hand and pushing down on the forehead with the other hand. Within no more than about 10 seconds, the rescuer should put his/her ear near the baby&#39;s mouth and check for breathing. The rescuer should look for chest motion, listen for breath sounds, and feel for breath on his/her cheek and/or ear. If breathing is not detected, the rescuer should cover the baby&#39;s mouth and nose with his/her mouth and using the strength of his/her cheeks, deliver a gentle puff of air (instead of a deep breath from his/her lungs) to slowly breathe into the baby&#39;s mouth one time, taking one second for the breath. If the baby&#39;s chest rises, a second rescue breath may be given. If the baby&#39;s chest does not rise, the head-tilt, chin-lift maneuver should be repeated before the second breath is given. If the baby&#39;s chest still doesn&#39;t rise, the rescuer should examine the baby&#39;s mouth to make sure that no foreign material is inside. If an object is seen, the mouth should be swept by the rescuer with his/her finger. If the airway seems blocked, first aid for a choking baby should be performed. Two breaths should be given after every 30 chest compressions, and CPR should be continued until the baby responds or until medical personnel arrive. 
         [0011]    As can be appreciated, the instructions for CPR are somewhat complicated, and they may be hard for a rescuer to remember in an emergency situation. In addition, some potential rescuers are reluctant to make direct mouth-to-mouth contact with a stranger. It would be desirable if an inexpensive device could be provided that would make it easy for a rescuer to perform CPR. 
       ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION 
       [0012]    The invention provides a template that makes it easy for a rescuer to begin and carry out CPR in a safe manner. Other advantages and features of this invention will become apparent from an examination of the drawings and the ensuing description. 
       NOTES ON CONSTRUCTION 
       [0013]    The use of the terms “a”, “an”, “the” and similar terms in the context of describing the invention are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms “comprising”, “having”, “including” and “containing” are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, but not limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. The terms “substantially”, “generally” and other words of degree are relative modifiers intended to indicate permissible variation from the characteristic so modified. The use of such terms in describing a physical or functional characteristic of the invention is not intended to limit such characteristic to the absolute value which the term modifies, but rather to provide an approximation of the value of such physical or functional characteristic. 
         [0014]    The use of any and all examples or exemplary language (e.g., “such as” and “preferably”) herein is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and the preferred embodiments thereof, and not to place a limitation on the scope of the invention. Nothing in the specification should be construed as indicating any element as essential to the practice of the invention unless so stated with specificity. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0015]    The invention comprises a CPR template for use by a rescuer in performing CPR. This template includes a pliable mask portion, a pliable body portion and a connecting link that joins the mask portion to the body portion. The mask portion is adapted to be placed over the face of a person, and includes a mouthpiece extending therethrough for use in administering rescue breaths. The body portion has a sternal diagram displayed thereon, and an instructional area in which CPR instructions are displayed. 
         [0016]    In order to facilitate an understanding of the invention, the preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings, and a detailed description thereof follows. It is not intended, however, that the invention be limited to the particular embodiments described or to use in connection with the apparatus illustrated herein. Various modifications and alternative embodiments such as would ordinarily occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates are also contemplated and included within the scope of the invention described and claimed herein. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0017]    The presently preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals represent like parts throughout, and in which: 
           [0018]      FIG. 1  is a top view of a CPR template for an adult. 
           [0019]      FIG. 2  is a top view of a CPR template for a child. 
           [0020]      FIG. 3  is a top view of a CPR template for an infant. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0021]    As shown in the drawings the invention comprises a CPR template such as template  10  for adults, template  110  for children and template  210  for infants. Referring now to  FIG. 1 , preferred adult template  10  comprises generally triangular mask portion  12 , one or more connecting links  14  (two are preferred) and a generally trapezoidal body portion  16 . A conventional mask mouthpiece  18  is mounted in mask portion  12 , and above that is located a “nose pinch” instruction/reminder  20 . Preferably, mouthpiece  18  is located about 2 inches from baseline  22  of mask portion  12 . It is also preferred that “nose pinch” instruction/reminder  20  is located so as to align with the nose of a typical adult when the valve is aligned with the patient&#39;s mouth, or at about 3 inches above mouthpiece  18 . It is also preferred that CPR instructions such as the following are printed or displayed in instruction areas  24  and  26  on body portion  16 : 
       CPR Instructions 
       [0000]    
       
         
           
             1. Call 911/Get Help. 
             2. Check for pulse/breathing. 
             3. No breathing/pulse—Start CPR. 
             Lay patient down on flat, hard surface 
             30 compressions 2.0 inches deep, fast and hard 
             Tilt head, lift chin, pinch nose 
             Slowly blow into mouth twice until chest rises 
             Repeat 30 compressions to 2 breaths 
             Continue until help arrives 
           
         
       
     
         [0031]    It is also preferred that template placement instructions such as the following are printed or displayed in instruction areas  28  and  30  on body portion  16 :
       Place CPR Lifewrap on patient   Line up mouthpiece to mouth   Line up sternal diagram with patient&#39;s sternum, bottom first   Place hands on Wrap hands   Start CPR       
 
         [0037]    Connecting links  14 , which join mask portion  12  to body portion  16 , may be provided with fold lines  32  in order to facilitate lining up the sternal diagram on body portion  16  after mouthpiece  18  is aligned with the patient&#39;s mouth. In addition, upper AED fold line  34  and lower AED fold line  36  are provided to allow for folding of the template away from a portion of the patient&#39;s body in order to apply the defibrillator pads of a AED. Preferably, as shown, upper AED fold line  34  is located at the upper left side of body portion  16  and lower AED fold line  36  is located at the lower right side of body portion  16 . It is also preferred that both the upper AED fold line and the lower AED fold line form an angle within the range of 60° to 70°, most preferably about 65° with baseline  38  of body portion  16 . 
         [0038]    CPR template  10  is formed of a pliable, translucent or transparent material, preferably medical grade polyethylene film having a thickness within the range of about 6 to about 10 mils. Generally, template  10  is sized and shaped to drape over and conform to an adult patient&#39;s body. Preferably, mask portion  12  has a height MH A  of about 6.5 inches, and body portion  16  has a height BH A  of about 16 inches. It is also preferred that body portion  16  has a top width TW A  of about 16 inches, and a bottom width BW A  of about 12 inches. In order to use CPR template  10 , the device should be placed on the patient so that mouthpiece  18  aligns with the patient&#39;s mouth. Then the sternal diagram  40  printed on body portion  16  is aligned with the sternum of the patient, starting at the bottom of the sternum. Connecting links  14  may be folded or bunched as necessary to insure a proper fit. When the CPR template is properly placed on the patient, CPR may be begun. 
         [0039]    CPR template  110  is essentially identical to template  10  except for size and the instructions printed in the instruction areas. Thus, CPR template  110 , which is intended for use with a child, comprises generally triangular mask portion  112 , one or more connecting links  114  (two are preferred) and a generally trapezoidal body portion  116 . A conventional mask mouthpiece  118  is mounted in mask portion  112 , and above that is located a “nose pinch” instruction/reminder  120 . Preferably, mouthpiece  118  is located about 0.875 inches from baseline  122  of mask portion  112 . It is also preferred that “nose pinch” instruction/reminder  120  is located so as to align with the nose of a typical child when the valve is aligned with the child&#39;s mouth, or at about 0.5 inches above mouthpiece  118 . It is also preferred that CPR instructions such as the following are printed or displayed in instruction areas  124  and  126  on body portion  116 : 
       CPR Instructions 
       [0000]    
       
         
           
             1. Call 911/Get Help. 
             2. Check for pulse/breathing. 
             3. No breathing/pulse—Start CPR. 
             Lay child down on flat, hard surface 
             30 compressions 1.5 inches deep, fast and hard 
             Tilt head, lift chin, pinch nose 
             Slowly blow into mouth twice until chest rises 
             Repeat 30 compressions to 2 breaths 
             Continue until help arrives 
           
         
       
     
         [0049]    It is also preferred that template placement instructions such as the following are printed or displayed in instruction areas  128  and  130  on body portion  116 :
       Place CPR Lifewrap on child   Line up mouthpiece to mouth   Line up sternal diagram with child&#39;s sternum, bottom first   Place hands on Wrap hands   Start CPR       
 
         [0055]    Connecting links  114 , which join mask portion  112  to body portion  116 , may be provided with fold lines  132  in order to facilitate lining up the sternal diagram on body portion  116  after mouthpiece  118  is aligned with the child&#39;s mouth. In addition, upper AED fold line  134  and lower AED fold line  136  are provided to allow for folding of the template away from a portion of the child&#39;s body in order to apply the defibrillator pads of a AED. Preferably, as shown, upper AED fold line  134  is located at the upper left side of body portion  116  and lower AED fold line  136  is located at the lower right side of body portion  116 . It is also preferred that both the upper AED fold line and the lower AED fold line form an angle within the range of 60° to 70°, most preferably about 65° with baseline  138  of body portion  116 . 
         [0056]    CPR template  110  is formed of a pliable, translucent or transparent material, preferably medical grade polyethylene film having a thickness within the range of about 6 to about 10 mils. Generally, template  110  is sized and shaped to drape over and conform to a child&#39;s body. Preferably, mask portion  112  has a height MH c  of about 5.125 inches, and body portion  116  has a height BH c  of about 11.4 inches. It is also preferred that body portion  116  has a top width TW c  of about 12 inches, and a bottom width BW c  of about 6.75 inches. In order to use CPR template  110 , the device should be placed on the child so that mouthpiece  118  aligns with the child&#39;s mouth. Then the sternal diagram  140  printed on body portion  116  is aligned with the sternum of the child, starting at the bottom of the sternum. Connecting links  114  may be folded or bunched as necessary to insure a proper fit. When the CPR template is properly placed on the child, CPR may be begun. 
         [0057]    CPR template  210 , which is intended for use with an infant, comprises generally rounded mask portion  212 , one or more connecting links  214  (two are preferred) and a generally trapezoidal body portion  216 . A conventional mask mouthpiece  218  is mounted in mask portion  212 , and above that is located a “nose pinch” instruction/reminder  220 . Preferably, mouthpiece  218  is located about 1 inch from baseline  222  of mask portion  212 . It is also preferred that nose indicator  220  is located so as to align with the nose of a typical infant when the valve is aligned with the infant&#39;s mouth, or at about 1.5 inches above mouthpiece  218 . It is also preferred that CPR instructions such as the following are printed or displayed in instruction areas  224  and  226  on body portion  216 : 
       CPR Instructions 
       [0000]    
       
         
           
             1. Call 911/Get Help. 
             2. Check for pulse/breathing. 
             3. No breathing/pulse—Start CPR. 
             Lay infant down on flat, hard surface 
             30 compressions 1.5 inches deep, fast and hard 
             Tilt head, lift chin, pinch nose 
             Slowly puff into mouth twice until chest rises 
             Repeat 30 compressions to 2 puffs 
             Continue until help arrives 
           
         
       
     
         [0067]    It is also preferred that template placement instructions such as the following are printed or displayed in instruction areas  228  and  230  on body portion  216 :
       Place CPR Lifewrap on infant   Line up mouthpiece to mouth   Line up sternal diagram with infant&#39;s sternum, bottom first   Place fingers on Wrap fingers   Start CPR       
 
         [0073]    Connecting links  214 , which join mask portion  212  to body portion  216 , may be provided with fold lines  232  in order to facilitate lining up the sternal diagram on body portion  216  after mouthpiece  218  is aligned with the infant&#39;s mouth. In addition, upper AED fold line  234  and lower AED fold line  236  are provided to allow for folding of the template away from a portion of the infant&#39;s body in order to apply the defibrillator pads of a AED. Preferably, as shown, upper AED fold line  234  is located at the upper left side of body portion  216  and lower AED fold line  236  is located at the lower right side of body portion  216 . It is also preferred that both the upper AED fold line and the lower AED fold line form an angle within the range of 60° to 70°, most preferably about 65° with baseline  238  of body portion  216 . 
         [0074]    CPR template  210  is formed of a pliable, translucent or transparent material, preferably medical grade polyethylene film having a thickness within the range of about 6 to about 10 mils. Generally, template  210  is sized and shaped to drape over and conform to an infant&#39;s body. Preferably, mask portion  212  has a height MH I  of about 4 inches, and body portion  216  has a height BH I  of about 10.5 inches. It is also preferred that body portion  216  has a top width TW I  of about 6 inches, and a bottom width BW I  of about 4.5 inches. In order to use CPR template  210 , the device should be placed on the infant so that mouthpiece  218  aligns with the infant&#39;s mouth. Then the sternal diagram  240  printed on body portion  216  is aligned with the sternum of the infant, starting at the bottom of the sternum. Connecting links  214  may be folded or bunched as necessary to insure a proper fit. When the CPR template is properly placed on the infant, CPR may be begun. 
         [0075]    Although this description contains many specifics, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention but as merely providing illustrations of the presently preferred embodiments thereof, as well as the best mode contemplated by the inventor of carrying out the invention. The invention, as described herein, is susceptible to various modifications and adaptations, as would be understood by those having ordinary skill in the art to which the invention relates.