Patent Description:
In recent years, AEDs have become popular, and can be found in various places such as commercial facilities and schools. The AEDs can automatically analyze ventricular fibrillation in a patient and, depending on a result of the analysis, cause the heart of a patient to recover its normal function by applying an electrical shock (i.e., defibrillation).

In using an AED, a user operates the AED by following verbal guidance output from the AED. Generally, operations to be performed by the user are mainly attachment of electrode pads and pressing of a defibrillation button. These operations themselves are not very difficult. However, the user is forced to perform the operations with almost no experience in an emergency situation where a patient is collapsed right in front. This is a very heavy psychological burden to the user.

In particular, a user is sometimes confused about the locations on the patient to which the electrode pads should be attached. In this connection, <CIT> discloses an AED having an LED that is lit in green when the electrode pads are attached correctly and an LED that is lit in red when they are not.

The AED disclosed in <CIT> allows a user to recognize whether or not the electrode pads are attached to a patient correctly. However, this AED does not allow, with the aid of colors or the like, a user to recognize the locations on a patient to which the respective electrode pads should be attached, and hence it is difficult for the user to recognize where to attach the electrode pads. Since an AED needs to be operated without a moment's delay, it is desirable that a user be able to attach the electrode pads quickly to correct locations on a patient. <CIT> discloses a defibrillator with a layered user interface comprising an activation layer, an electrode application layer, and a defibrillation pulse delivery layer.

Illustrative aspects of the present invention provide an automated external defibrillator that allows a user to promptly attach electrode pads to a patient at correct positions.

The invention provides an automated external defibrillator according to claim <NUM>.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the following exemplary embodiments do not limit the scope of the claimed invention. Further, sizes and proportions of the elements shown in the drawings are just for the purpose of illustration, and actual sizes and ratios may be different from those shown in the drawings.

<FIG> is a perspective view of an automated external defibrillator (AED) <NUM> according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. In <FIG>, for the purpose of illustration, some elements (such as electrode pads <NUM>, <NUM>) are hatched by oblique lines.

The AED <NUM> has a main unit <NUM> (a main body of the AED <NUM>) and a lid <NUM> that covers the main unit <NUM>. The lid <NUM> is closed when the AED <NUM> is in storage. By closing the lid <NUM>, dust and the like are prevented from entering the main unit <NUM>.

The main unit <NUM> is provided with a tab <NUM>, which can be slid by a user using, for example, his or her fingers. The AED <NUM> is rendered in an open state shown in <FIG> by the user's sliding the tab <NUM> toward a handle <NUM> using, for example, his or her fingers. Like common AEDs, the AED <NUM> has such a configuration that the main power (not shown) is turned on as soon as the lid <NUM> is opened.

The handle <NUM> is to be gripped by the user in carrying the AED <NUM>. The handle <NUM> is formed adjacent to an opening <NUM> of the main unit <NUM>.

A button <NUM> is an input interface for commanding that an electrical shock be applied to a patient. Like common AEDs, the AED <NUM> acquires an electrocardiogram and analyzes it automatically when the electrode pads <NUM>, <NUM> are attached to the patient. If it is determined that an electrical shock should be applied to the patient based on the result of the analysis of the electrocardiogram, the AED <NUM> is made to be in a condition that allows the button <NUM> to be pressed (i.e., the AED <NUM> can receive an input from the user).

The button <NUM> may include an indicator (i.e., the button <NUM> itself can be lit and/or blinked). This is advantageous in that a user can press the button <NUM> while the button <NUM> is lit (meaning capable of applying an electrical shock to the patient) to apply the electrical shock to the patient.

A cable <NUM> connects the main unit <NUM> to the electrode pads <NUM>, <NUM> electrically.

On a housing of the main unit <NUM>, a first guidance surface <NUM> is provided. The first guidance surface <NUM> shows a guidance that teaches a user how to attach the electrode pads <NUM>, <NUM>. The first guidance surface <NUM> has a first indicator <NUM> and a second indicator <NUM>.

The first indicator <NUM> (an example of a first marker) is colored in a first color (e.g., orange). That is, the first indicator <NUM> is a lamp or the like capable of being turned on and/or blinked in the first color. The first indicator <NUM> is turned on and/or blinked depending on an attachment condition of the electrode pad <NUM> to the patient (described later in detail with reference to <FIG>). Instead of the first indicator <NUM>, a mark (e.g., a patterned mark) that is colored in the first color may be provided on the first guidance surface <NUM> as the first marker. However, the indicator <NUM> is advantageous in that the lighting of the first indicator <NUM> allows the user to recognize, in addition to its attachment position, an attachment condition of the electrode pad <NUM>.

The second indicator <NUM> (an example of a second marker) is colored in a second color (e.g., blue). That is, the second indicator <NUM> is a lamp or the like capable of being turned on and/or blinked in the second color. The second indicator <NUM> is turned on and/ or blinked depending on an attachment condition of the electrode pad <NUM> to the patient (described later in detail with reference to <FIG>). Instead of the second indicator <NUM>, a mark (e.g., a patterned mark) that is colored in the second color may be provided on the first guidance surface <NUM>. A specific example of a display on the first guidance surface <NUM> will be described later with reference to <FIG>.

The electrode pad <NUM> (an example of first pad) is an electrode that is connected to the main unit <NUM> by the cable <NUM> and is to be attached to the chest of the patient. The contact surface, to contact the patient, of the electrode pad <NUM> is made of a self-adhesive substance, and the electrode pad <NUM> is attached to the patient by adhesion of this substance. At least part of the back surface, opposite to the contact surface, of the electrode pad <NUM> is colored in the first color. For example, the electrode pad <NUM> and the first indicator <NUM> are colored in orange.

The electrode pad <NUM> (an example of a second pad) is an electrode that is connected to the main unit <NUM> by the cable <NUM> and is to be attached to the chest of the patient. As in the case of the electrode pad <NUM>, the contact surface, to contact the patient, of the electrode pad <NUM> is a seal surface, and the electrode pad <NUM> is attached to the patient by adhesion of this seal surface. At least part of the back surface, opposite to the contact surface, of the electrode pad <NUM> is colored in the second color. For example, the electrode pad <NUM> and the second indicator <NUM> are colored in blue.

The electrode pad <NUM> and the first indicator <NUM> both being the first color includes a situation where the electrode pad <NUM> and the first indicator <NUM> have similar colors. That is, it is considered that the electrode pad <NUM> and the first indicator <NUM> are both colored in the first color even if they are actually somewhat different from each other in color (e.g., in RGB values or luminance/lightness/chroma) as long as their colors allow the user to recognize that they correspond to each other. This also applies to the electrode pad <NUM> and the second indicator <NUM>.

The first color and the second color are different from each other in such a degree that the user can recognize that they are different colors.

After the power of the AED <NUM> is turned on, the AED <NUM> outputs verbal guidance for urging the user to perform appropriate operations.

Next, the internal configuration (mainly electrical configuration) of the AED <NUM> will be described with reference to <FIG>. The AED <NUM> has a power supply <NUM>, a storage section <NUM>, an operation section <NUM>, a controller <NUM>, an informing section <NUM>, an ECG signal amplifier <NUM>, a high voltage generator <NUM>, a high-voltage capacitor <NUM>, a connector <NUM>, and an impedance measuring section <NUM>.

The power supply <NUM> includes a battery, and supplies power to the individual processing units of the AED <NUM> by performing voltage conversion using a voltage control mechanism (not shown). The storage section <NUM> is provided to store programs that are necessary for operation of the AED <NUM>, voice data, adjustment values, a measured electrocardiogram waveform, etc. The storage section <NUM> may be a secondary storage device such as a flash memory.

The operation section <NUM> is an interface through which a user operates the AED <NUM>, and includes the tab <NUM> and the button <NUM> described above. The operation section <NUM> may also include an adult/child switch.

The controller <NUM> performs various controls of the AED <NUM>. More specifically, the controller <NUM> performs an electrocardiogram analysis and various operation controls such as an energy charge/discharge control, a sequence control, and a voice output control. The controller <NUM> includes a central processing unit (CPU), a gate array, an A/ D converter, etc..

The informing section <NUM> is controlled by the controller <NUM> to provide information to a user. The informing section <NUM> includes a speaker that outputs verbal guidance and indicators (including the first indicator <NUM> and the second indicator <NUM> described above).

The ECG signal amplifier <NUM> is configured to filter and amplify an electrocardiogram signal that is acquired through the electrode pads <NUM>, <NUM> which are connected to the connector <NUM>. The high voltage generator <NUM> charges and discharges energy to be used for electrical shock, under the control of the controller <NUM>. The high-voltage capacitor <NUM> stores energy for electrical shock.

The impedance measuring section <NUM> measures impedances between body surfaces of the patient and the electrode pads <NUM>, <NUM>, and judges whether the electrode pads <NUM>, <NUM> are attached to body surfaces on the basis of impedance variations. The impedance measuring section <NUM> may judge which of the electrode pads <NUM>, <NUM> is attached to a body surface by, for example, referring to characteristic information (e.g., identification information buried in the electrode pad) of each of the electrode pads <NUM>, <NUM>. And the impedance measuring section <NUM> may judge whether or not each of the electrode pads <NUM>, <NUM> is attached normally on the basis of a corresponding measured impedance value. The impedance measuring section <NUM> supplies measured impedance values of the respective electrode pads <NUM>, <NUM> to the controller <NUM>.

With the above configuration, the controller <NUM> switches the first indicator <NUM> so that it is turned on, blinking, or is turned off depending on a condition of attachment of the electrode pad <NUM> to the patient. That is, the first indicator <NUM> is lit, blinked, or turned off depending on a condition of attachment of the electrode pad <NUM> to the patient. Likewise, the controller <NUM> switches the second indicator <NUM> so that it is lit, blinked, or is turned off depending on a condition of attachment of the electrode pad <NUM> to the patient. That is, the second indicator <NUM> is lit, blinked, or turned off depending on a condition of attachment of the electrode pad <NUM> to the patient. Detailed examples of the controls for causing the first indicator <NUM> and the second indicator <NUM> to have their lights turned on, blinked, or turned off will be described later with reference to <FIG>.

Next, the details of display on the first guidance surface <NUM> will be described with reference to <FIG>. As mentioned above, the first guidance surface <NUM> visually informs a user how to attach the electrode pads <NUM>, <NUM> to the patient, including where to attach the electrode pads <NUM>, <NUM>. In the example of <FIG>, a figure of an upper body of a patient is shown on the first guidance surface <NUM>. Generally, when using an AED, two electrode pads are placed such that the heart is interposed between the electrode pads (one electrode pad is placed on the right chest and the other on the left flank). The first indicator <NUM> and the second indicator <NUM> are provided to correspond to these positions of the electrode pads <NUM>, <NUM>, respectively. That is, the first indicator <NUM> is provided at a position corresponding to the attachment position of the electrode pad <NUM> (i.e., the right chest of the upper body of the patient). The second indicator <NUM> is provided at a position corresponding to the attachment position of the electrode pad <NUM> (i.e., the left flank of the upper body of the patient upper).

Examples of how the first indicator <NUM> and the second indicator <NUM> are turned on, blinked, and turned off will be described below. The first indicator <NUM> is turned on when the power of the AED <NUM> is turned on. The first indicator <NUM> is lit in the same color (the first color) as the color of the electrode pad <NUM>. The first indicator <NUM> is turned off when the electrode pad <NUM> is attached to the patient and a measured impedance has a normal value. A detection of attachment of the electrode pad <NUM> and an impedance measurement are performed by the controller <NUM> in a similar manner as in general AEDs. Like the first indicator <NUM>, the second indicator <NUM> is lit in the same color (the second color) as the color of the electrode pad <NUM> and turned off in a similar manner as the first indicator <NUM>. The arrows shown in <FIG> may also be configured as similar indicators.

The indication patterns of the first indicator <NUM> and the second indicator <NUM> are not limited to the above-described pattern as long as the manners of their display are switched according to the states of the electrode pads <NUM>, <NUM>. <FIG> show some examples of indication patterns of the first indicator <NUM> and the second indicator <NUM>. The numbers shown in <FIG> correspond to the reference numerals used in <FIG>.

According to the indication patterns of <FIG>, the controller <NUM> turns on the first indicator <NUM> and the second indicator <NUM> when the power of the AED <NUM> is turned on and neither of the electrode pads <NUM>, <NUM> is attached to the patient. The controller <NUM> turns off the first indicator <NUM> when the electrode pad <NUM> is attached and a measured impedance of the electrode pad <NUM> is normal. The controller <NUM> turns off the second indicator <NUM> when the electrode pad <NUM> is attached and a measured impedance of the electrode pad <NUM> is normal.

According to the indication patterns of <FIG>, the controller <NUM> turns on the first indicator <NUM> and the second indicator <NUM> when the power of the AED <NUM> is turned on and neither of the electrode pads <NUM>, <NUM> is attached to the patient. The controller <NUM> turns off the first indicator <NUM> and the second indicator <NUM> when both of the electrode pads <NUM>, <NUM> are attached and both of their measured impedance values are normal. That is, the controller <NUM> may be configured to cause both the first indicator <NUM> and the second indicator <NUM> to have their lights turned on, blinked, or turned off, based on whether both of the electrode pads <NUM>, <NUM> are attached normally.

The indication patterns of <FIG> is reverse to that of <FIG>. The controller <NUM> turns off the first indicator <NUM> and the second indicator <NUM> when the power of the AED <NUM> is turned on and neither of the electrode pads <NUM>, <NUM> is attached to the patient. The controller <NUM> turns on the first indicator <NUM> when the electrode pad <NUM> is attached and a measured impedance of the electrode pad <NUM> is normal. The controller <NUM> turns on the second indicator <NUM> when the electrode pad <NUM> is attached and a measured impedance of the electrode pad <NUM> is normal.

<FIG> shows another example of indication patterns in which the first indicator <NUM> and the second indicator <NUM> are controlled to be turned on/off or blinked in view of not only their attachment conditions but also their measured impedance values. The controller <NUM> turns on the first indicator <NUM> and the second indicator <NUM> when the power of the AED <NUM> is turned on and neither of the electrode pads <NUM>, <NUM> is attached to the patient. The controller <NUM> turns off the first indicator <NUM> when the electrode pad <NUM> is attached and the measured impedance of the electrode pad <NUM> is normal. The controller <NUM> blinks the first indicator <NUM> when the electrode pad <NUM> is attached but the measured impedance of the electrode pad <NUM> is abnormal. The controller <NUM> turns off the second indicator <NUM> when the electrode pad <NUM> is attached and the measured impedance of the electrode pad <NUM> is normal. The controller <NUM> blinks the second indicator <NUM> when the electrode pad <NUM> is attached but the measured impedance of the electrode pad <NUM> is abnormal.

The indication patterns shown in <FIG> are merely examples and the controller <NUM> may perform controls in a different manner.

For example, the impedance measuring section <NUM> may detect a difference between measured impedance values of the electrode pads <NUM>, <NUM>. The impedance measuring section <NUM> determines that both of the electrode pads <NUM>, <NUM> are attached if the difference between measured impedance values of the electrode pads <NUM>, <NUM> is smaller than or equal to a certain value. If it is determined that both of the electrode pads <NUM>, <NUM> are attached, the controller <NUM> switches the first indicator <NUM> and the second indicator <NUM> from a turned-on condition to a turned-off condition (or from the turned-off condition to the turn-one condition). That is, the first indicator <NUM> and the second indicator <NUM> may be lit, blinked, or turned off in accordance with whether the difference between measured impedance values of the electrode pads <NUM>, <NUM> is smaller than or equal to a certain value.

Next, advantages of the AED <NUM> according to the present exemplary embodiment will be described. In the exemplary embodiment, the electrode pads <NUM>, <NUM> are colored in different colors. The first marker (first indicator <NUM>) and the second marker (second indicator <NUM>) which are colored in the colors corresponding to the colors of the electrode pads <NUM>, <NUM>, respectively, are provided on the first guidance surface <NUM> at the positions corresponding to the attachment positions of the electrode pads <NUM>, <NUM>, respectively. As a result, by referring to the colors and positions of the respective markers on the first guidance surface <NUM>, a user can easily recognize the positions to which the respective electrode pads <NUM>, <NUM> should be attached. Thus, the user can promptly attach the electrode pads <NUM>, <NUM> at the correct positions on the patient without being confused.

Since the first indicator <NUM> on the first guidance surface <NUM> is lit, blinked, or turned off depending on an attachment condition of the electrode pad <NUM>, the user can easily recognize the attachment condition of the electrode pad <NUM>. Likewise, since the second indicator <NUM> on the first guidance surface <NUM> is lit, blinked, or turned off depending on an attachment condition of the electrode pad <NUM>, the user can easily recognize the attachment condition of the electrode pad <NUM>. Where as shown in <FIG> both of the first indicator <NUM> and the second indicator <NUM> are turned off when both of the electrode pads <NUM>, <NUM> are attached correctly, the user can easily recognize the timing at which the two electrode pads <NUM>, <NUM> are successfully attached.

It is preferable that the back surface, opposite to the contact surface (adhesive surface) that contacts a patient, of the electrode pad <NUM> be colored in the first color. By coloring, in the first color, the back surface of the electrode pad <NUM> which is the surface to be observed by the user, the user can recognize an attachment position of the electrode pad <NUM> more easily. Likewise, it is preferable that the back surface, opposite to the contact surface (adhesive surface) to contact a patient, of the electrode pad <NUM> be colored in the second color.

<FIG> is a perspective view showing an AED <NUM> according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. This AED <NUM> has guidance surfaces to be switched by an adult/child switch. In the following description, elements denoted by the same reference numerals as those of the foregoing exemplary embodiment have the same functions and structures as those of the foregoing exemplary embodiment unless otherwise specified.

The AED <NUM> shown in <FIG> has, in addition to the elements of the AED <NUM> shown in <FIG>, an adult/child switch <NUM> and a second guidance surface <NUM>. The adult/child switch <NUM> is provided to switch an electrical shock between an adult mode and a child mode, as provided in general AEDs. A user performs a manual switching on the adult/ child switch <NUM> when necessary. Instead of the adult/child switch <NUM>, the AED <NUM> may have other means for switching between the adult mode and the child mode, such as a child key or the like.

The second guidance surface <NUM> has a third indicator <NUM> (an example of a third marker) and a fourth indicator <NUM> (fourth marker). The second guidance surface <NUM> shows a guidance that teaches to a user how to attach the electrode pads <NUM>, <NUM> to a child.

The third indicator <NUM> (third marker) is colored in the first color (e.g., orange). That is, the third indicator <NUM> is a lamp or the like capable of being lit and/or blinked in the first color. The third marker may be a mark or the like that is colored in the first color.

The fourth indicator <NUM> (an example of a fourth marker) is colored in the second color (e.g., blue). That is, the fourth indicator <NUM> is a lamp or the like capable of being lit and/or blinked in the second color. The fourth marker may be a mark or the like that is colored in the second color.

In the exemplary embodiment, the first indicator <NUM> and the third indicator <NUM> are correlated with the electrode pad <NUM>. In other words, the first indicator <NUM>, the third indicator <NUM>, and the electrode pad <NUM> are colored in the first color. Likewise, the second indicator <NUM> and the fourth indicator <NUM> are correlated with the electrode pad <NUM>. In other words, the second indicator <NUM>, the fourth indicator <NUM> and the electrode pad <NUM> are colored in the second color.

Next, the details of display on the second guidance surface <NUM> will be described with reference to <FIG>. As mentioned above, the second guidance surface <NUM> visually teaches how to attach the electrode pads <NUM>, <NUM> to a child patient, including where to attached the electrode pads <NUM>, <NUM>. In the example of <FIG>, a chest side and a back side of an upper body of a child are shown on the second guidance surface <NUM>. Generally, when using an AED on a child, one of the electrode pads is placed on a chest and the other electrode pad is placed on a back of the child. The third indicator <NUM> and the fourth indicator <NUM> are provided so as to correspond to these locations. That is, the third indicator <NUM> is provided at a position corresponding to the attachment position of the electrode pad <NUM> (i.e., the chest side of a child) and the fourth indicator <NUM> is provided at a position corresponding to the attachment position of the electrode pad <NUM> (i.e., the back side of a child).

The indicators to be lit, blinked, or turned off are switched in accordance with the switching of the adult/child switch <NUM>. A display control to be executed by the controller <NUM> will be described below with reference to <FIG>. When the power of the AED <NUM> is turned on or the adult/child switch <NUM> is switched, the controller <NUM> detects whether the patient is an adult or a child based on an input from the adult/child switch <NUM> (S11). If the patient is an adult (S11: yes), the controller <NUM> controls the first indicator <NUM> and the second indicator <NUM> to turn on and/or blink light (S12). On the other hand, if the patient is a child (S11: no), the controller <NUM> controls the third indicator <NUM> and the fourth indicator <NUM> to turn on and/or blink light (S13). The lighting/blinking control methods may be the same as in the first exemplary embodiment (see <FIG>).

According to the exemplary embodiment described above, the AED <NUM> has the second guidance surface <NUM> for the child mode in addition to the first guidance surface <NUM> for the adult mode. The guidance surface to have the lights turned on or blinking is switched in accordance with the switching of the adult/child switch <NUM>. That is, when the patient is an adult, the first indicator <NUM> and the second indicator <NUM> provided in the first guidance surface <NUM> are turned on or blinked. When the patient is a child, the third indicator <NUM> and the fourth indicator <NUM> provided in the second guidance surface <NUM> are lit or blinked. Therefore, a user can easily recognize the attachment positions of the electrode pads <NUM>, <NUM> irrespective of whether the patient is an adult or a child.

While the present invention has been described with reference to certain exemplary embodiments thereof, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments described above, but defined by the appended claims.

For example, the first guidance surface <NUM> and the second guidance surface <NUM> may be provided on the lid <NUM> side rather than on the main unit <NUM> side.

Verbal guidance may be output so as to be timed with display (turning on, blinking, turning-off of light) of the first indicator <NUM> and the second indicator <NUM> on the first guidance surface <NUM>.

Claim 1:
An automated external defibrillator (<NUM>) comprising:
a main unit (<NUM>) configured to connect with a first pad (<NUM>) at least partially colored in a first color and a second pad (<NUM>) at least partially colored in a second color, the first color being different from the second color, the main unit (<NUM>) comprising a first guidance surface (<NUM>) configured to visually inform a user how to attach the first pad and (<NUM>) the second pad (<NUM>) to the patient including where to attach the electrode pads (<NUM>, <NUM>),
characterized in that the first guidance surface (<NUM>) comprises a first indicator (<NUM>) configured to being turned on and/or blinked in the first color at a position on the first guidance surface (<NUM>) corresponding to an attachment position of the first pad (<NUM>) and a second indicator (<NUM>) configured to being turned on and/or blinked in the second color at a position on the first guidance surface (<NUM>) corresponding to an attachment position of the second pad (<NUM>).