User interface for defibrillator for use by persons with limited training and experience

1 . A defibrillation system, comprising:

at least one first high-voltage defibrillation electrode;

at least one second high-voltage defibrillation electrode;

a control system electrically connected to the first and second electrodes and configured to cause a defibrillation shock to be applied to a patient through the first and second electrodes; and

the control system being configured to pause at least about a second between activation of the defibrillation system and application of a shock to the patient.

2 . The defibrillation system of claim 1 wherein the control system is configured to provide resuscitation prompts to a rescuer for non-defibrillation resuscitation of the patient.

3 . The defibrillation system of claim 2 wherein the resuscitation prompts comprises CPR prompts.

4 . An external defibrillator, comprising:

defibrillation electrodes for placement on the exterior of a patient;

circuitry electrically connected to the electrodes and configured to deliver a defibrillation shock to the patient through the electrodes;

a user-operable button electrically connected to the circuitry for initiating delivery of the defibrillation shock to the patient, wherein the circuitry is configured to deliver the defibrillation shock after a delay of between 300 and 1000 milliseconds following the user pressing the button.

5 . The defibrillator of claim 4 wherein the delay is between 500 and 1000 milliseconds.

6 . The defibrillator of claim 5 wherein the delay is between 700 and 1000 milliseconds.

7 . An external defibrillator, comprising:

defibrillation electrodes for placement on the exterior of a patient;

circuitry electrically connected to the electrodes and configured to deliver a defibrillation shock to the patient through the electrodes;

a user-operable button electrically connected to the circuitry for initiating delivery of the defibrillation shock to the patient,

wherein the circuitry is configured to deliver the defibrillation shock after a delay of greater than 1000 milliseconds following the user pressing the button.

8 . The defibrillator of claim 7 wherein the delay is less than 1500 milliseconds.

9 . An external defibrillator, comprising:

defibrillation electrodes for placement on the exterior of a patient;

circuitry electrically connected to the electrodes and configured to deliver a defibrillation shock to the patient through the electrodes;

a user-operable button electrically connected to the circuitry for initiating delivery of the defibrillation shock to the patient,

wherein the button provides no indication to the user that pressing it will directly initiate delivery of the shock.

10 . The defibrillator of claim 9 wherein the button or adjacent areas provide an indication that the user is prepared for the defibrillator to determine whether a shock should be delivered.

11 . The defibrillator of claim 10 wherein the button or adjacent areas provide an indication of one or a combination of the following: “ready”, “ok”, or a check mark.

12 . An external defibrillator, comprising:

defibrillation electrodes for placement on the exterior of a patient;

circuitry electrically connected to the electrodes and configured to deliver a defibrillation shock to the patient through the electrodes;

a user-operable button electrically connected to the circuitry for initiating delivery of the defibrillation shock to the patient,

wherein the circuitry is configured to provide a prompt to the user following pressing of the button, and the prompt is designed to reinforce that pressing the button has not directly initiated delivery of the shock.

13 . The defibrillator of claim 12 wherein the prompt is an auditory spoken prompt or a verbal prompt viewable on a visual display.

14 . The defibrillator of claim 12 wherein the prompt conveys to the user that the defibrillator is checking the condition of the patient.