Automatic external defibrillator for adult and pediatric patients
View Patent ↗An AED unit which is operable to selectively execute either an adult rescue protocol or a pediatric rescue protocol is causes to execute the pediatric rescue protocol by inserting a key-like device into a slot of the AED unit. A sensor inside the case of the AED unit senses the presence of the device in the slot and responds by executing the pediatric rescue protocol. In an illustrated embodiment the AED unit includes a lighting mechanism which is used to light an illustration showing the proper placement of electrode pads on an adult patient. The key-like device includes an illustration showing the proper placement of electrode pads on a pediatric patient which obscures the adult illustration when the device is inserted in the AED unit. The key-like device is configured to make use of the same AED unit lighting mechanism to light the pediatric pad placement illustration.
1. An automatic external defibrillator (AED) system for use with either adult or pediatric patients comprising:
an AED unit including circuitry for delivering a defibrillating shock, the AED unit including a receptacle and being selectively operable for executing an adult rescue protocol or a pediatric rescue protocol;
an electrode pad that is suitable for use with either adult or pediatric patients and which is removably connected to the AED unit; and
a device separate from the AED unit and the electrode pad which, when connected to the AED unit receptacle, causes the AED unit to execute the pediatric rescue protocol,
wherein the separate device further comprises an indicator of the placement of the electrode pad on a pediatric patient.
2. The AED system of claim 1 , wherein the AED unit includes an indicator of the placement of an electrode pad on an adult patient,
wherein the indicator of the placement of an electrode pad on an adult patient is replaced with the indicator of the placement of the electrode pad on a pediatric patient when the separate device is connected to the receptacle.
3. The AED system of claim 2 , wherein the indicator of the placement of an electrode pad on an adult patient includes a lighted indicator,
wherein the indicator of the placement of the electrode pad on a pediatric patient utilizes the lighted indicator.
4. A method for selectively operating an automatic external defibrillator (AED) unit which is operable by execution of an adult rescue protocol or a pediatric rescue protocol as a pediatric AED system comprising:
connecting an electrode pad that is suitable for use with either adult or pediatric patients to the AED unit;
connecting a pedi-key device separate from the electrode pad to the AED unit;
sensing the connection of the device to the AED unit,
responding to the sensing of the connection of the device by executing the pediatric rescue protocol,
wherein connecting a pedi-key to the AED unit further comprises providing visual instructions for applying an electrode pad to a pediatric patient, and
wherein connecting a pedi-key to the AED unit further comprises obscuring visual instructions for applying an electrode pad to an adult patient.