Cooperating defibrillators and external chest compression devices

Abstract

Devices, methods, and software implementing those methods for providing communicating external chest compression (ECC) devices and defibrillation (DF) devices, where the ECC and DF devices can be physically separate from each other. Both ECC and DF devices are able to operate autonomously, yet able to communicate with and cooperate with another device when present. Some ECC and DF devices are adapted to be physically and/or electrically coupled to each other. One ECC device includes a backboard, a chest compression member, a communication module, controller, and at least one sensor, electrode lead or electrode. One DF device includes a defibrillator module, a controller, and a communication module that can communicate with the ECC communication module. The communicating ECC and DF devices may deliver ECC, pacing, defibrillation, ventilation, and cooling therapies, and may deliver instructions to human assistants, in a coordinated and cooperative fashion.

1 . A system for performing external chest compression (ECC) and defibrillation on a person, the system comprising:
 means for compressing the person's chest;   means for defibrillating the person, in which the chest compression means and defibrillating means can be physically apart from each other; and   means for communicating data between the chest compression means and the defibrillating means.   
     
     
         2 . A system as in  claim 1 , in which the chest compression means includes means for supporting the person's back. 
     
     
         3 . A system as in claim as in  claim 1 , further comprising means for sensing at least one physiological attribute of the person, in which the means for sensing is coupled to the communicating means. 
     
     
         4 . A system as in  claim 3 , in which the physiological attribute is selected from the group consisting of pulse, heartbeat, breathing, body temperature, externally applied chest pressure and thoracic impedance. 
     
     
         5 . A system as in  claim 1 , further comprising means for coordinating the chest compression means and the defibrillating means. 
     
     
         6 . A system as in  claim 1 , further comprising means for electrically coupling the chest compression means and the defibrillating means. 
     
     
         7 . A system as in  claim 1 , further comprising means for electrically coupling the back support means and the defibrillating means. 
     
     
         8 . A system as in  claim 1 , further comprising means for delivering defibrillation energy through the chest compression means. 
     
     
         9 . A system as in  claim 1 , further comprising means for delivering pacing through the chest compression means. 
     
     
         10 . A system as in  claim 9 , further comprising means for electrically coupling the defibrillating means to the chest compression means. 
     
     
         11 . A system as in  claim 2 , further comprising means for delivering defibrillation energy through the back support means. 
     
     
         12 . A system as in  claim 11 , further comprising means for electrically coupling the defibrillation means to the chest compression means. 
     
     
         13 . A system as in  claim 1 , further comprising means for ventilating the person. 
     
     
         14 . A system as in  claim 1 , further comprising means for cooling the person.