Patent Description:
The Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) are used all over the world in locations such as health clubs, airports, schools, churches, office buildings, etc. Often, these systems are intended to be installed in permanent and semi-permanent displays, but are also carried in bags by Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs). AEDs are generally powered by primary lithium batteries with a life of <NUM> to <NUM> years. AEDs also require pads that have a limited life and must be replaced if used in a life saving event before the expiration date. At the time of purchase and installation of these devices, those maintaining the devices have good intentions regarding the regular maintenance required to keep them operational, however with the turnover of personnel managing these devices, and over time with this being a limited responsibility for those assigned, they are quickly forgotten. This often leads to negative consequences. AEDs hang on walls with dead batteries, expired pads, and in faulty conditions. Fire departments, the FDA, and AED distributors report that a large percentage of these devices are forgotten within <NUM> years and left for dead. Multiple lawsuits have resulted from rescue attempts with dead or faulty devices.

While no system can expect perfection, many AED monitors have yet to come into the 21st century. These stations are, at best, monitored by visual inspection of untrained (or barely trained) personnel who log the diagnostic condition using pen and paper. Such records are easy to lose, and are not easily accessible. In addition, without a good secondary checking mechanism, entire AEDs are lost when a paper record is lost. In addition, when personnel changes or things get busy, these inspections are often forgotten.

Several large distributors of AEDs attempt to support their customers in the maintenance of AEDs with software that notifies the safety personnel in charge of the AEDs when it is time to replace pads and batteries. This is strictly done by time on a spreadsheet, and does not actually monitor what is going on with the AED. The AEDs do a daily, weekly, and monthly self test to determine if maintenance is required. If they determine that a problem has occurred they start beeping and display an indicator on the front of the AED that varies by AED, all in hope that a passerby notices and responds to its request for maintenance. This is unlikely if stored in a cabinet or closet unless the safety program requires a visual inspection that is adhered to.

<CIT>, discloses an Automated External Defibrillator Device with Integrated Wireless Modem. The '<NUM> Patent describes automatic external defibrillator (AED) includes an integral wireless modem configured so that, upon activation, the AED automatically connects to a wireless network and reports the event to an emergency services center or remote server to call for an ambulance. The activation report may be accomplished by calling an emergency services center and playing a prerecorded voice message that includes AED location information. Alternatively, the activation report may be transmitted via a wireless data network to a remote server which routes the information to appropriate authorities. After the activation report is transmitted, the AED may transmit patient and treatment data to the server. The AED may include a speaker phone capability so a caregiver can talk with a dispatcher or medical team. The AED may also automatically report activation data and periodic self-diagnostic testing results to a manufacturer or service provider via a wireless data call to a remote server.

<CIT>, discloses Remote Monitoring. The '<NUM> Patent essentially describes remote monitoring and inspection of measurement devices, emergency equipment, parking spaces, and other items is accomplished by using an image sensor (e.g., a CMOS sensor) to capture an image containing information about the monitored item. A signal containing information about the image (e.g., data representing the captured image or data indicating the state of the captured image) is transmitted to a remote central station.

<CIT>, discloses Medical Equipment Servicing. The '<NUM> Patent describes Systems and techniques for centralized management and servicing of medical equipment such as automated external defibrillators (AEDs) are described herein. The systems and techniques for receiving status updates from multiple automated external defibrillators, receiving, from a user, a request to access status information, and sending, to the user, summary level status information for at least some of the multiple automated external defibrillators, the summary level status information being grouped based on a measure of geographic proximity of the multiple automated external defibrillators.

<CIT> describes Medical Equipment Messaging. The '<NUM> Patent describes medical equipment messaging.

<CIT>, which is authored by Tuysserkani, teaches an automatic external defibrillator (AED) includes an integral wireless modem configured so that, upon activation, the AED automatically connects to a wireless network and reports the event to an emergency services center or remote server to call for an ambulance. The activation report may be accomplished by calling an emergency services center and playing a prerecorded voice message that includes AED location information. Alternatively, the activation report may be transmitted via a wireless data network to a remote server which routes the information to appropriate authorities. After the activation report is transmitted, the AED may transmit patient and treatment data to the server. The AED may include a speaker phone capability so a caregiver can talk with a dispatcher or medical team. The AED may also automatically report activation data and periodic self-diagnostic testing results to a manufacturer or service provider via a wireless data call to a remote server.

<CIT> discloses a monitoring device for monitoring the readiness state of an automated external defibrillator (AED) and communicating the state to a remote receiver. The monitoring device captures both a parameter related to the activation of the AED fault alert indicator and a second parameter that indicates a positive AED battery state via a microphone, infrared sensor or optical sensor. Another monitoring device for monitoring an automated external defibrillator is disclosed by <CIT>.

The problems with these systems, and others, are addressed by the present invention and discussed in greater detail below.

Currently-available AEDs lack many of the proposed features described below. An optimal solution would be to have a means to identify when an AED goes into a fault mode and to report the problem remotely to a monitoring system. This system would then report the problem to a person that can maintain the device without the regular, physical presence of the person with the AED. Preferably, one approach would be applicable to all AEDs despite various indicators of failure and various locations of these indicators on the AEDs. A further goal would be to have the solution be a retrofit to all existing AED cabinets and not only new cabinets. An even further goal would be to have the device operate on batteries, capable of at least a <NUM> year operation.

It is possible to use a camera as a way to monitor an AED in its cabinet. However, challenges with this approach are in being able to accommodate multiple indicators with various AEDs. Different color and shape indicators are used. The most popular just uses a blinking green LED. Some are in dark locations. Some AEDs are the same colors as the indicators (greens and reds). Complex analysis would be required to distinguish a fault condition without user interaction. Also, most AEDs have their faces right against the door of the AED cabinet so there is not room for a camera in existing cabinets. Additionally the camera would likely have to be setup on the door and because AEDs come in various sizes camera alignment would be tedious. Additionally, a camera requires a significant amount of electricity to operate, resulting in battery drain.

Thus, the present monitoring system utilizes certain features of AEDs to monitor them and report their condition to a remote system. All AEDs turn on at a selected interval for a self inspection. Most turn on every <NUM> hours for a quick check, every week for a more thorough self inspection, and every month for a complete inspection. These inspections not only check the batteries and pads, but also the internal functions of the AED including the charge circuitry. Following these inspections a pass or fail visual indicator is set, as well as a periodic beep in a fault state.

Utilizing the inherent diagnostics of modern AEDs, the current invention therefore is able to monitor the state of an AED without using significant power, which would result in battery drain. The basic method to achieve this result is as follows: <NUM>) Wake up the monitoring system from sleep mode to the active state just prior to scheduled AED self inspection; <NUM>)Sense the wake up of the AED for its self inspection; <NUM>) Listen for a fault signal for a defined period of time, and if the fault signal is discovered a fault condition is present; <NUM>) Report via wireless communication (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, cellular, etc) the outcome of monitoring; <NUM>) Return monitoring system to battery conservation, sleep mode.

There are additional innovations set forth in this disclosure that allow for more accurate and specific monitoring of AEDs. Functionally, most AED cabinets do not have line power (AC outlets) to power the battery of a monitoring system. However, there is a minimum life goal of the battery for an AED monitor is <NUM> years. Therefore, a very low power microcontroller is used that has the capability to go into a deep sleep consuming only enough power to watch a timer programmed to wake up the device from sleep mode to the active state just prior to the scheduled self inspection of the AED. Each version of AED has a hard coded, defined time for its inspection. For example, all Cardiac Science G3 AEDs do a self check at <NUM>:<NUM> AM. This time can be hard coded into the AED monitor on installation, but the system also has a diagnostic method that lets an installed AED monitor discover the diagnostic setting of the AED it is monitoring with no user input.

One component of the sensing system, for sensing the AED waking up for its self-inspection, is a large diameter, multi-turn coil. This coil senses the electromagnetic field generated by the AED when it wakes up for diagnostics. A microcontroller will monitor the coil at the time of the status check to verify that the AED is present and that the AED battery is not dead. If coil signal is not observed a fault status for a missing or dead battery is sent via wireless communications to an online monitoring system. Knowing that the AED is present and powered, the microcontroller then uses a microphone and waits for a series of beeps at a defined frequency for a defined period of time for the specific AED (these can be preprogrammed or learned by the AED monitor). During this period if the specific set of beeps are observed, the AED is in fault mode and needs maintenance. If not, the AED has passed its self inspection. The wireless system can send a myriad of messages to the central monitoring system including: <NUM>) AED missing or dead battery; <NUM>) AED in fault mode; <NUM>) AED operational. In addition, it is contemplated that the central monitoring system will indicate a breakdown after a certain number of hours of inactivity.

According to the invention, a combination of an automated external defibrillator, AED, and an AED monitoring system is disclosed according to claim <NUM> in order to alleviate such problems.

According to the invention, a method for monitoring and reporting the state of an automated external defibrillator, AED, via an AED monitoring system is disclosed according to claim <NUM> in order to alleviate such problems.

The remote monitor may further comprise a case and an antenna.

Other objects of the present invention, as well as particular features, elements, and advantages thereof, will be elucidated or become apparent from, the following description and the accompanying drawing figures.

The present invention may be better understood, and its numerous objects, features, and advantages made apparent to those skilled in the art by referencing the accompanying drawings.

Referring now the drawings with more specificity, the present invention essentially discloses a device for monitoring an automatic external defibrillator (AED). The preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to <FIG> of the drawings. Variations and embodiments contained herein will become apparent in light of the following descriptions.

Looking now to <FIG>, an AED monitor <NUM> is shown. Preferably the AED monitor will have an exterior case <NUM> which is approximately <NUM> × <NUM> × <NUM> (<NUM>"x3. <NUM>") but smaller and larger devices are also contemplated. The case <NUM> contains the remaining components of the AED monitor <NUM>. The AED monitor <NUM> contains a microprocessor <NUM> that is connected to the remaining components of the AED monitor and essentially controls the operation of AED monitor <NUM>. The monitor <NUM> is powered by at least one battery <NUM>. The battery life of the AED monitor <NUM> is a key feature of the present invention. The battery <NUM> should be capable of remaining in operation long enough such that the AED monitor's battery <NUM> does not run out until the AED itself needs to be replaced and/or have the AED batteries replaced. The battery life is typically improved by placing the AED monitor <NUM> into a sleep mode at certain points of the day. The AED monitor also has at least two sensing mechanisms: a microphone <NUM> and an electromagnetic coil <NUM>. Both are preferably internally situated so as to resist damage. The Microphone <NUM> is configured to listen for beeps from an AED which indicate when the AED has failed an internal diagnostic test. The coil <NUM> is typically a radio frequency coil, more specifically a multi-turn coil, the coil is thus capable of sensing a magnetic field generated by the AED. The AED monitor communicates via an antenna <NUM>, being a cellular, Bluetooth, or other wireless communication antenna. While for some operations an internal antenna <NUM> is preferable, in certain applications (such as when the AED is placed into a metallic cabinet), it is preferable to have the antenna extend beyond case <NUM> and to be mounted to the exterior of an AED cabinet (see, e.g. <FIG>).

Having described the general components of AED monitor <NUM>, we now turn to <FIG> for a more detailed schematic of the workings of AED monitor <NUM>. Generally, power management processes <NUM> communicate with microprocessor <NUM>, the cellular communication <NUM>, AED post detection <NUM>, chirp detection <NUM>, and the support hardware <NUM>. The power management <NUM> typically will consists of a battery such as a lithium ion battery connected to a voltage regulator. As shown an aux RTC (real time clock) power source connects the power management to the microprocessor <NUM>. One skilled in the art may substitute or implement other suitable substitutes for powering the AED monitor <NUM>.

Looking now to the cellular communication systems <NUM>, they are typically composed of power management circuitry and a cellular module. The communication devices, as shown can be SimCon (TM) or other similar link, however it should have HSDPA dual-band capabilities, while other protocols such as GSM/GPRS/EDGE capabilities may be preferred for certain applications. The cellular communications <NUM> report to a universal asynchronous receiver-transmitter (UART) or analogous part on the microprocessor <NUM>.

The AED POST detection <NUM> systems generally relate to electromagnetic coil (or RF antenna) <NUM>. The electromagnetic coil <NUM> is preferably a <NUM>-<NUM> PCB trace antenna for detecting electromagnetic fields emanating from the AED. Preferably a bandpass filter (e.g. 3rd order Butterworth) will filter the analogue input from the antenna. The signal may also need amplification (e.g. <NUM>-stage Op-Amp) before reporting the signal to an analogue-to-digital converter (ADC) on the microprocessor <NUM>.

Similarly, the AED low-battery aka "chirp" detection <NUM> systems generally relate to Microphone <NUM>. The microphone <NUM> is preferably a microphone electret or MEMS for detecting beeps, chirps, and other sounds emitted by the AED. The signal may also need amplification (e.g. Op-Amp) before reporting the signal to an analogue-to-digital converter (ADC) on the microprocessor <NUM>.

Other Support hardware <NUM> is discussed herein, such hardware may be implemented on microprocessor <NUM>, or be connected to the chip. External memory and update storage may be connected with a serial peripheral interface (SPI). A crystal oscillator may perform RTC capabilities, or act as a secondary check for the processor <NUM>. In addition a JTAG (joint test action group) or SWD (serial wire debug) Header may be implemented for debugging.

Diagnostics <NUM> may also be present on the AED monitor <NUM>, for users to interface with the AED monitor. For example, LEDs may be used to show battery and network status of the AED monitor. To maintain low battery usage in the resting state, a button would cause the diagnostics <NUM> to trigger, thus activating the LED to show the AED monitor's <NUM> status.

Looking now to <FIG> an implementation of AED monitor <NUM> is shown. Automatic external defibrillator <NUM> and AED monitor <NUM> are placed inside a typical AED Cabinet <NUM>. The door <NUM> is shut and the AED is visible through window <NUM>. In a typical installation a hole is made in the cabinet <NUM> and antenna <NUM> is drawn through the cabinet so it is on the exterior. This reduces interference with signals to the AED monitor <NUM>. The monitor <NUM> is typically placed in the back of the cabinet <NUM> where it will not interfere with operation of the AED in emergencies.

Looking now to <FIG> another implementation of AED monitor <NUM> is shown. Automatic external defibrillator <NUM> and AED monitor <NUM> are placed inside a mobile AED carrying case <NUM>. In a typical case there may be additional batteries <NUM> and a closable top <NUM>. Some cases cause interference with signals to the AED, however, the AED monitor <NUM> according to the present invention has several advantages discussed herein to enable communication outside case <NUM>. The monitor <NUM> is typically placed in case <NUM> where it will not interfere with operation of the AED in emergencies.

<FIG>, essentially illustrates a method <NUM> of operation for AED monitor <NUM>. After installation into a cabinet <NUM>, bag <NUM>, or other AED installation, AED monitor <NUM> should begin the setup/startup processes. The startup process then begins to detect electromagnetic (RF) signals from the AED <NUM>. This process can be improved by manually entering values into the monitor <NUM> prior to installation. However, the monitor can be installed without pre-programming, in such cases the AED monitor <NUM> then detects electromagnetic signals from the AED for a minimum of <NUM> self tests which then allows it to establish a time (T) that the AED conducts self tests, and a frequency (F) that it conducts tests. After T and F are established, the monitor then moves to start low-power monitoring <NUM> of the AED. To enable low power monitoring, the monitor <NUM> then remains in sleep mode <NUM> until the Time (T) for waking up to the active mode using the T & F variables stored previously. The monitor <NUM> then inquires whether the AED's electromagnetic signal is detected <NUM>, if not the AED is reported as missing or dead <NUM>. If an electromagnetic signal is detected the monitor <NUM> listens for an audible beep <NUM>, if the correct beep or beep sequence is detected the monitor reports the AED is in a fault state <NUM>. If no beep is detected, the monitor <NUM> inquires whether it is time for a fixed <NUM>-way communication with a remote monitor <NUM>, typically this is done on a weekly basis, but may be adjusted to a bi-weekly or monthly basis to save battery, if it is not time the monitor <NUM> returns to low power monitoring <NUM>, if it is time to report, then a report is issued <NUM>, then the monitor <NUM> returns to low-power monitoring.

Such illustrations are illustrative in nature and do not encompass all of the possible angles and types of components utilized in AED monitors according to this disclosure.

The All AEDs turn on at a selected interval for a self inspection. Most turn on every <NUM> hours for a quick check, every week for a more thorough self inspection, and every month for a complete inspection. These inspections not only check the batteries and pads, but also the internal functions of the AED including the charge circuitry. Following these inspections a pass or fail visual indicator is set, as well as a periodic beep in a fault state.

Utilizing this, a basic method of operation contemplated by the AED monitor <NUM> of the present disclosure is as follows: <NUM>) Wake up the monitoring system from sleep mode to the active state <NUM> just prior to scheduled AED self inspection; <NUM>) Sense the wake up of the AED for its self inspection with electromagnetic monitor <NUM>; <NUM>) Listen with microphone <NUM> for a fault signal for a defined period of time, and if the fault signal is discovered a fault condition is present; <NUM>) Report via wireless communication (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, RF, etc) over antenna <NUM> the outcome of monitoring; <NUM>) Return monitoring system to battery <NUM> conservation, sleep mode.

To elaborate more on how typical AEDs <NUM> work and allows the monitor <NUM> to detect the default state of an AED; all AEDs go through a self test on a regular schedule. Most go through a <NUM> hour functional test that requires only minimal current draw from the battery. Most AEDs also go through a more extensive weekly test, often charging the capacitors to a percentage of their full capacity and discharging. Additionally, most AEDs go through a <NUM> week or monthly extensive self test where they fully charge and discharge the capacitors. It is this periodic turn on period that allows our interference sensing coil <NUM> to determine if the AED is present and if the AED battery has sufficient power to turn on. A useful aspect of the AED self check is that it turns on at a predetermined periodic interval. For example, a common AED known to one skilled in the art turns on daily at <NUM>:03am. By knowing the specific timing of every AED, the user can enter the AED type on setup, allowing the electronics to remain in sleep mode up to the point of test, and turn back off immediately after, preserving battery life <NUM>. In addition, all AEDs will transmit a periodic beep if they detect a problem during their self test Microphone <NUM> listens for this periodic beep that will be used immediately following the positive output from the interference coil to determine the status of the AED, other than missing or a completely dead battery.

Claim 1:
A combination of an automated external defibrillator, AED, and an AED monitoring system comprising:
the AED (<NUM>) having a self-diagnostic subroutine and adapted to perform said subroutine at regular intervals, the AED (<NUM>) having at least an audio indicator that is adapted to indicate the results of the self-diagnostic when the diagnosis is that the AED is in need of maintenance;
the AED monitoring system, wherein the AED monitoring system (<NUM>) is remote from the AED (<NUM>), the AED monitoring system having a microphone (<NUM>), battery (<NUM>), microprocessor (<NUM>), wireless communication device (<NUM>), and an electromagnetic coil (<NUM>), the coil (<NUM>) being a multi-turn coil, the coil (<NUM>) capable of detecting an electromagnetic signal generated by the AED when the AED wakes up,
wherein in a start-up procedure of the AED monitoring system said system is adapted to detect an electromagnetic signal to establish a time and an interval when the AED (<NUM>) conducts a self-diagnostic test;
wherein the microprocessor (<NUM>) is adapted to wake up the AED monitoring system prior to the AED's self-diagnostic according to the established time and interval;
wherein the microprocessor (<NUM>) is adapted to monitor the coil (<NUM>) at the time of the performance of the self-diagnostic subroutine to verify that the AED is present and that the AED battery (<NUM>) is not dead;
wherein the microprocessor (<NUM>) is adapted to utilize the microphone (<NUM>) to monitor for the AED's audio indicator that the AED (<NUM>) is in need of maintenance;
wherein the microprocessor (<NUM>) is adapted to transmit a wireless signal through the wireless communication device (<NUM>) to an online monitoring system to indicate whether the AED is in need of maintenance based on the electromagnetic signal from the AED and the audible signal from the AED; and
wherein the microprocessor (<NUM>) is adapted to move the AED monitoring system from an activate state to a sleep mode after transmitting the wireless signal.