Patent Description:
Generally, automated external defibrillators (hereinafter also abbreviated to AEDs) are mounted with self-test functions. In such a self-test, for example, a remaining battery level, a connection state with a defibrillation pad, whether various circuits operate normally or not, etc. are checked so that it is determined whether the AED can be used normally or not.

The self-test is often automatically executed periodically, such as being performed at a predetermined time instant on a daily basis. For example, Patent Literature <NUM> discloses an AED provided with a function of automatically performing a self-test in a predetermined cycle and a function of postponing a timing of a next self-test when an override button has been pressed down.

A self-test system for a medical device is further known from <CIT>.

It is important that the self-test is automatically executed at a preset time instant so as to prevent occurrence of a situation that the self-test has not been performed for a long time. On the other hand, there may also arise a situation that a user wants to perform the self-test immediately. However, the background-art AED disclosed in Patent Literature <NUM> cannot perform the self-test at the timing desired by the user.

An object of the present disclosure is to provide an automated external defibrillator that can execute a self-test at any timing desired by a user while automatically performing the self-test at a preset time instant.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an automated external defibrillator according to claim <NUM>.

According to the configuration of the aforementioned disclosure, it is possible to provide an automated external defibrillator that can execute a self-test even at any timing desired by a user while automatically performing the self-test at a time instant set in advance.

An embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below by way of example with reference to the drawings. Identical or equivalent elements will be designated by the same reference signs or names correspondingly and respective even in different drawings, and duplicate description thereof will be therefore omitted appropriately.

First, respective processors constituting an AED <NUM> will be described using <FIG> is a block diagram showing an example of a configuration of the AED <NUM> according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. The AED <NUM> is provided with a controller <NUM>, a memory <NUM>, an operation accepter <NUM>, a display unit <NUM>, a sounder <NUM>, a high voltage generator <NUM>, a pad connector <NUM> and a power supply <NUM>.

The controller <NUM> reads and executes a program etc. stored in the memory <NUM> to control various actions of the AED <NUM>. The controller <NUM> includes a main controller <NUM> and a sub controller <NUM>. Moreover, although not shown, the controller <NUM> has a real time clock and an A/D converter.

The main controller <NUM> includes a main CPU (Central Processing Unit) controlling the various actions in a slate in which the AED <NUM> has been powered on. The main controller <NUM> controls the various actions for lifesaving (hereinafter also referred to as "lifesaving actions") such as energy charging/ discharging control, sequence control. A/ D conversion, and electrocardiogram analysis.

In addition, the main controller <NUM> controls execution of a self-test. That is, the main controller <NUM> has a function as a self-test executor. When a first condition or a second condition has been satisfied, the main controller <NUM> executes the self-test. A specific example of the first condition is that a setting time instant set in advance comes. A specific example of the second condition is that the operation accepter <NUM> accepts a predetermined operation input (such as pressing down a check button <NUM> that will be described later). In the self-test, for example, the main controller <NUM> performs check of a circuit for controlling lifesaving actions (such as confirmation of a time constant of an electrocardiogram input circuit, confirmation of a circuit recognizing paddle contact, and confirmation of an energy value during charging into a capacitor/during internal discharging), check of the power supply <NUM> (such as a voltage value, a remaining value of a battery, and a value of current consumption), check of a defibrillation pad <NUM> connected to the pad connector <NUM> (such as a resistance value of the pad and confirmation of expiry date for use), etc. to confirm whether they are normal or abnormal.

The main controller <NUM> sets a setting time instant for execution of a next self-test after completion of the lifesaving actions, after completion of the self-test, or the like. A method for determining the next setting time instant will be described in detail in the following paragraphs by use of <FIG>. In addition, the main controller <NUM> may reset the next setting time instant at any time instant desired by a user based on an operation input of the user on the operation accepter <NUM>. Incidentally, the "setting time instant" may designate date and time or may designate only time. Specifically, the "setting time instant" may be set as "YMDhm (Y=year, M=month, D=day, h=hour, and m=minute)" or may be set as "hm (h=hour and m=minute)".

The sub controller <NUM> includes a sub CPU controlling various actions such as supply of electric power to the main CPU of the main controller <NUM>. When the power is off (e.g. when a power button <NUM> and the check button <NUM> which will be described later are not pressed down and the self-test is also not executed), electric power is not supplied to the main CPU of the main controller <NUM>, and the AED <NUM> is in a standby state in a power saving mode. Incidentally, supply of electric power from the power supply <NUM> to the real time clock is performed even in the power saving mode. That is, the real time clock also performs time counting when the AED <NUM> is powered off.

When the power button <NUM> (a form of a first button) or the check button <NUM> (a form of a second button) which will be described later is pressed down or when the AED <NUM> is powered on due to a fact that the setting time instant set in advance has come, the sub controller <NUM> makes control to supply electric power from the power supply <NUM> to the main controller <NUM>. In addition, the sub controller <NUM> transmits the cause of the power-on (the cause of activation of the AED <NUM>) to the main controller <NUM>.

The memory <NUM> stores a necessary program for action of the AED, audio data, an adjustment value, electrocardiogram data during lifesaving, a self-test history, etc. The memory <NUM> may include, for example, a memory device such as an ROM (Read Only Memory) or an RAM (Random Access Memory), or a secondary memory device such as a hard disk. A part of the memory <NUM> may be an external memory device that can be detachably attached to the AED <NUM>.

The operation accepter <NUM> accepts an operation input from the user. The operation accepter <NUM> includes the power button <NUM> and the check button <NUM>. The power button <NUM> is a button for starting a lifesaving action. The check button <NUM> is a button for starting a self-test. In addition, although not shown, the operation accepter <NUM> may be provided with a shock button for executing an electric shock, a button for setting a setting time instant of the self-test, etc..

The display unit <NUM> displays, for example, a result of the self-test. The user can confirm the display unit <NUM> to confirm whether the AED <NUM> is normal or abnormal. The display unit <NUM> may be constituted by an LED (Light Emitting Diode) or may be constituted by a magnetic reversal disk or the like. In addition, the display unit <NUM> may be provided with a liquid crystal display for displaying an instruction to the user by a picture or characters or a display for displaying an electrocardiogram signal. In addition, the display unit <NUM> may be provided with a touch panel or may function also as the operation accepter <NUM>.

The sounder <NUM> issues various instructions to the user by voice with reference to the audio data stored in the memory <NUM>. In addition, when abnormality is found due to the self-test, the sounder <NUM> emits a warning sound to notify the user of the abnormality.

The high voltage generator <NUM> carries out charging and discharging of energy used for defibrillation in accordance with a control signal from the main controller <NUM>. The pad connector <NUM> is connected to the defibrillation pad <NUM>. The energy discharged by the high voltage generator <NUM> is transmitted to a person in need for lifesaving through the pad connector <NUM> and the defibrillation pad <NUM>. In addition, the defibrillation pad <NUM> fetches an electrocardiogram signal of the person in need for lifesaving. The electrocardiogram signal is, for example, filtered and amplified before being transmitted to the main controller <NUM>.

The power supply <NUM> includes the battery. The power supply <NUM> converts electric power supplied from the battery into a required voltage, and supplies the electric power to the aforementioned processors. The remaining level of the battery is confirmed by the self-test.

Next, an action example of the AED <NUM> will be described using <FIG> is a flowchart showing an example of an action process executed in the AED <NUM> according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. Incidentally, various processings shown in <FIG> may be rearranged in sequence or executed in parallel as long as there is no contradiction.

First, the AED <NUM> which is in a powered off state stands by in a power saving mode (step S101). Next, when the AED <NUM> is powered on and electric power is supplied to the main CPU of the main controller <NUM>, the AED <NUM> is activated (step S102). In addition, in the step S102, a cause of the activation of the AED <NUM> is transmitted from the sub controller <NUM> to the main controller <NUM>.

Next, the main controller <NUM> confirms the cause of the activation of the AED <NUM> (step S103). Examples of the cause of the activation of the AED <NUM> include at least at least three kinds of facts, i.e. the fact that the power button <NUM> has been pressed down, the fact that a setting time instant for execution of a self-test has come, and the fact that the check button <NUM> has been pressed down.

When it is confirmed in the step S103 that the cause of the activation of the AED <NUM> is the fact that the power button <NUM> has been pressed down, the main controller <NUM> makes control to start a lifesaving action (step S104). When it is determined that an electric shock on a subject is required in the lifesaving action (when an electrocardiogram in which an electric shock is required is detected), the main controller <NUM> properly performs blinking a button for the electric shock, outputting electric energy in response to the fact that the button has been pressed down, etc..

Next, when the lifesaving action is completed, the main controller <NUM> resets the setting time instant of the self-test (step S105). For example, an original setting time instant which had been set before the AED <NUM> was activated in the step S102 may be reset as a setting time instant of a next self-test in the step S105. When the original setting time instant has come during the lifesaving action in the step S104, it is preferable that the self-test based on the fact that the setting time instant has come is not executed but the main controller <NUM>, for example, sets, as the next setting time instant, a time instant after a second time from the original setting time instant. Here, the "second time" is not limited particularly. For example, the "second time" may be a time such as twelve hours, twenty-four hours or forty-eight hours. The "second time" is preferably twenty-four hours. In addition, the "second time" may have the same length as a "first time" that will be described later or may have a different length therefrom.

Next, the supply of the electric power to the main CPU of the main controller <NUM> is cut off, and the AED <NUM> shifts to the power saving mode (step S106). Then, a series of action processes related to the lifesaving action is ended.

On the other hand, when it is confirmed in the step S103 that the cause of the activation of the AED <NUM> is the fact that the setting time instant has come (the first condition has been satisfied), the main controller <NUM> makes control to execute the self-test (step S107). Incidentally, when the setting time instant has come during the lifesaving action in the step S104, as described above, processings of the steps S107 to S109 are not executed.

Next, the main controller <NUM> makes control to display a result of the self-test to the display unit <NUM> (step S108). Incidentally, when there is an abnormality in the result of the self-test, it is preferable that, for example, voice is also outputted from the sounder <NUM> to notify the user of the abnormality.

Next, the main controller <NUM> sets a next setting time instant of the self-test (step S109). In the step S109, it is preferable that the main controller <NUM>, for example, sets a time instant after the first time (X hours) from the date and time at which the self-test was executed in the step S107 (that is, the original setting time instant which came in the step S102). Here, the "first time" is not limited particularly. For example, the "first time" may be a time such as twelve hours, twenty-four hours or forty-eight hours. It is preferable that the "first time" is twenty-four hours.

Next, the supply of the electric power to the main CPU of the main controller <NUM> is cut off, and the AED <NUM> shifts to the power saving mode (step S106). Then, the series of action processes related to the self-test based on the fact that the setting time instant has come is ended.

On the other hand, when it is confirmed in the step S103 that the cause of the activation of the AED <NUM> is the fact that the check button <NUM> has been pressed down (when the second condition has been satisfied), the process proceeds to processing of a step S110. In the step S110, it is determined whether or not a time instant at which the check button <NUM> has been pressed down this time is a time instant at which a predetermined time (such as fifteen seconds) has passed since a previous self-test was executed based on the fact that the check button <NUM> was pressed down.

When it is determined in the step S110 that the time instant at which the check button <NUM> has been pressed down this time is not the time instant at which the predetermined time has passed since the previous self-test was executed based on the fact that the check button <NUM> was pressed down (NO in the step S110), the self-test is not executed and the main controller <NUM> executes processing related to the lifesaving action of the step S104.

On the other hand, when it is determined in the step S110 that the time instant at which the check button <NUM> has been pressed down this time is the time instant at which the predetermined time has passed since the previous self-test was executed based on the fact that the check button <NUM> was pressed down (YES in the step S110), the main controller <NUM> makes control to execute a self-test (step S111). Incidentally, when the setting time instant has come during the execution of the self-test in the step S111, the processings of the steps S107 to S109 are not executed.

Next, the main controller <NUM> makes control to display a result of the self-test on the display unit <NUM> (step S112). Processing of the step S112 is the same as the processing of the step S108.

Next, the main controller <NUM> sets a next setting time instant of the self-test (step S113). In the step S113, it is preferable that the main controller <NUM>, for example, sets, as the next setting time instant, a time instant after a longer time (X+a hours) than the first time from the date and time at which the self-test was executed in the step S111 (i.e. the time instant at which the check button <NUM> was pressed down in the step S102). Here, it is preferable that the length "a" is a length shorter than the first time. For example, the length "a" may be a time such as ten minutes, thirty minutes or one hour.

Next, the supply of the electric power to the main CPU of the main controller <NUM> is cut off, and the AED <NUM> shifts to the power saving mode (step S106). Then, the series of action processes related to the self-test based on the fact that the check button <NUM> has been pressed down is ended.

Successively, an effect of the AED <NUM> according to the present embodiment will be described. Assume that the check button <NUM> for the self-test is not provided in the AED <NUM>, but the AED <NUM> is, for example, configured in such a manner that start of a lifesaving action and start of the self-test can be separated by a difference in how to operate the power button <NUM> (e.g. a difference in how many times the power button <NUM> is pressed down or how long the power button <NUM> is pressed down). In this case, operation of the AED <NUM> becomes so complicated that there is a fear that the user gets confused under an emergent situation in which the lifesaving task is required. In addition, when the button for starting the lifesaving action is operated, the AED typically plays voice for instructing actions that should be taken by the user. When such a button is also used for inputting the self-test, the aforementioned voice is played during the self-test. Therefore, the user feels annoyed, and the electric power of the battery is also consumed. On the other hand, in the configuration in which the AED <NUM> is provided with the power button <NUM> and the check button <NUM> different from the power button <NUM>, the aforementioned demerit can be cancelled so that the self-test at any timing can be started by a very simple operation.

In addition, the user may press down a wrong button by mistake under an emergent situation in which a lifesaving task is required. When the check button <NUM> has been pressed down again at a short interval after the check button <NUM> was pressed down, there is a high possibility that the second pressing-down has been made by mistake. When the self-test is executed again in such a case, there is a fear that the lifesaving task may be performed too late. When the check button has been pressed down again before a predetermined time has passed since the self-test was executed in response to the fact that the check button <NUM> was pressed down, the AED <NUM> does not execute a self-test but starts an action for lifesaving so as to prevent the lifesaving task from being performed too late.

In addition, the self-test executed again at a short interval from the previous self-test has a small effect but has a large demerit in electric power consumption of the battery. When the self-test has been executed in response to the fact that the check button <NUM> was pressed down, the AED <NUM> changes a setting time instant of a next self-test based on a time instant at which the self-test has been executed. Therefore, it is possible to prevent occurrence of a situation that the next self-test based on the fact that the setting time instant has come is executed immediately after the self-test based on the fact that the check button <NUM> was pressed down. Consequently, it is possible to suppress electric power consumption of the battery.

In addition, in the case where the self-test has been executed in response to the fact that the setting time instant came, the AED <NUM> sets, as the next setting time instant, a time instant after the first time from the time instant at which the self-test has been executed. With this configuration, the self-test is executed periodically whenever the first time passes.

On the other hand, in the case where the self-test has been executed in response to the fact that the check button <NUM> was pressed down, the AED <NUM> sets, as the next setting time instant, a time instant after a longer time than the first time from the time instant at which the self-test has been executed. Here, in the configuration where a self-test is executed automatically and periodically whenever the first time passes since a previous self-test was executed manually, assume that the user desires to execute the self-test manually whenever the first time passes. In this case, when a time instant at which the check button <NUM> is pressed down by the user is even a little late, the self-test is started in accordance with the fact that the setting time instant has come. In the case where the self-test has been executed in response to the fact that the check button <NUM> was pressed down, the AED <NUM> sets, as a next time instant, a time instant after a longer time than the first time from the time instant at which the self-test has been executed. With this setting, the situation that the self-test is executed automatically is prevented from occurring easily even if the user is only a little late for pressing down the check button <NUM>. Such a configuration is particularly useful when the first time is twenty-four hours. Even if the user who desires to manually execute a self-test at a predetermined time instant on a daily basis performs the manual operation at a time instant slightly later than on the previous day, there is less possibility that the self-test might be started automatically.

Further, when the setting time instant has come during execution of a lifesaving action, the AED <NUM> does not execute a self-test based on the fact that the setting time instant has come. In this manner, the AED <NUM> prevents occurrence of a situation that the self-test is executed during the execution of the lifesaving action and the lifesaving action is hindered due to the self-test. In addition, in this case, the AED <NUM> automatically resets a next setting time instant. In this manner, the AED <NUM> prevents a situation that.

Further, when the setting time instant has come during execution of a lifesaving action, the AED <NUM> does not execute a self-test based on the fact that the setting time instant has come. In this manner, the AED <NUM> prevents occurrence of a situation that the self-test is executed during the execution of the lifesaving action and the lifesaving action is hindered due to the self-test. In addition, in this case, the AED <NUM> automatically resets a next setting time instant. In this manner, the AED <NUM> prevents a situation that the self-test has not been executed for a long time.

Claim 1:
An automated external defibrillator (<NUM>) comprising:
an operation accepter (<NUM>) that accepts an operation input from a user; and
a self-test executor (<NUM>) that executes a self-test for checking a state of the automated external defibrillator when a first condition or a second condition has been satisfied; wherein:
the first condition is that a setting time instant set in advance comes; and
the second condition is that the operation accepter (<NUM>) accepts a predetermined operation input,
characterized in that:
the operation accepter (<NUM>) has a first button (<NUM>) for starting an action for lifesaving, and a second button (<NUM>) for starting the self-test; and
the predetermined operation input is pressing down the second button (<NUM>).