Patent ID: 8192381

Claim:
A chest compression apparatus comprising: an air bladder adapted engage a forward portion of the thoracic region of a patient, said air bladder being generally rectangular in form and being defined between an outer cover, and inner liner and at least one extension portion for separating the inner line from the outer cover, wherein the air bladder is sized to wrap across only the forward portion of the patient; a flexible belt connected to the air bladder for securing the air bladder to the patient, said belt being generally the same height as the air bladder and adapted to wrap around the back and sides of the patient; a pair of air lines selectively coupled between the air bladder and source of pressurized air; and an air valve assembly and pressure control device providing intermittent fluid communication between one of the pair of air lines and a vent port to atmosphere resulting in a series of pressure pulses applied to the thoracic region by the air bladder, said pressure control device being defined by an air chamber in fluid communication with said pair of air lines, said vent line and said air bladder, wherein said pressure pulses are applied only to the forward portion of the patient via said air bladder.