Pulse detection using patient physiological signals
View Patent ↗The presence of a cardiac pulse in a patient is determined by evaluating physiological signals in the patient. In one embodiment, a medical device evaluates optical characteristics of light transmitted into a patient to ascertain physiological signals, such as pulsatile changes in general blood volume proximate a light detector module. Using these features, the medical device determines whether a cardiac pulse is present in the patient. The medical device may also be configured to report whether the patient is in a VF, VT, asystole, or PEA condition, in addition to being in a pulseless condition, and prompt different therapies, such as chest compressions, rescue breathing, defibrillation, and PEA-specific electrotherapy, depending on the analysis of the physiological signals. Auto-capture of a cardiac pulse using pacing stimuli is further provided.
1. A method comprising:
applying a defibrillation electrode with a pulse detector to a first position of a patient;
performing a first pulse detection;
detaching the pulse detector from the defibrillation electrode; and
placing the detached pulse detector at a second position of the patient.
2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising performing a second pulse detection with the pulse detector placed at the second position.
3. The method of claim 2 , further comprising reattaching the pulse detector to the defibrillation electrode.
4. The method of claim 2 , wherein the pulse detector is an optical pulse detector.
5. The method of claim 2 , wherein the pulse detector is a mechanical detector.