CPR Assist Device Adapted for Anterior/Posterior Compressions
A resuscitation device for automatic compression of a victim's chest using a compression belt operably attached to a platform upon which a patient rests. In use, the compression belt is wrapped around the patient and at least one spindle operably attached to the platform.
1 . A device for compressing the chest of a patient, said device comprising:
a platform upon which a patient can rest;
a belt having first and second ends, the belt operably connected through the platform to extend at least partially around the chest of the patient with the first and second ends secured together over the chest of the patient;
a drive spool engaging the belt;
a motor operatively connected to the drive spool, wherein the motor is capable of driving the drive spool with sufficient force such that the belt can compresses the chest of the patient;
a first spindle operably connected to the platform;
wherein the belt is disposed around the patient and then around the spindle disposing the spindle between the belt and the patient to preferentially compress the patient in the front to back direction.
2 . The device of claim 1 wherein the spindle is located within the platform.
3 . The device of claim 1 wherein the spindle is located within the platform below a scapula of the patient.
4 . The device of claim 1 further comprising:
a second spindle operably connected to the platform;
wherein the first spindle and the second spindle are disposed laterally of the spine and are disposed posterior of the scapula of the patient when the patient is placed on the device.
5 . A method of performing chest compressions on a patient, said method comprising the steps of:
providing a device for compressing the chest of a patient, said device comprising:
a platform upon which a patient can rest;
a belt operably connected through the platform to extend at least partially around the chest of the patient and apply anterior-posterior compression of the patient;
a drive spool engaging the belt;
a motor operatively connected to the drive spool, wherein the motor is capable of driving the drive spool with sufficient force such that the belt can compresses the chest of the patient;
a first spindle operably connected to the platform;
wrapping the belt around the spindle and then around the patient disposing the spindle between the belt and the patient; and
operating the drive spool to perform repeated chest compressions.
6 . The method of claim 5 wherein the step of operating the drive spool further comprises the step of:
operating the drive spool to perform a compression step to tighten the belt in order to compress the chest to a first state of compression, then perform a first holding step to hold the belt tight momentarily, then perform a release step to release the belt to allow the belt to loosen and allow the chest to relax.
7 . The method of claim 6 comprising the further step of:
operating the drive spool to release the belt to allow the belt to loosen and allow the chest to relax, performing a second holding step to hold the belt taut before the chest has fully relaxed to obtain a second state of compression.
8 . The method of claim 7 comprising the further steps of:
after releasing the belt to allow the belt to loosen and allow the chest to relax, performing a second holding step to hold the belt taut before the chest has fully relaxed to obtain a second state of compression;
repeatedly performing compression cycles comprising the compression step, the first holding step, the releasing step and second holding step.
9 . The method of claim 7 comprising the further steps of:
performing compressions in sets of compression cycles, said sets comprising a plurality of compression cycles;
between sets of compression cycles, releasing the belt completely to allow the chest to completely relax.
10 . The method of claim 5 comprising the further step of:
operating the drive spool to perform several cycles of compressions including the steps of tightening the belt in order to compress the chest to a high state of compression, then holding the belt tight momentarily to maintain the high state of compression, then releasing the belt to allow the belt to loosen and allow the chest to relax, and holding the belt taut to maintain a low state of compression; and after several compression cycles, releasing the belt to allow substantially complete relaxation of the chest without compression.
11 . The method of claim 5 comprising the further steps of:
providing a first means for sensing the tightness of the belt around the chest of the patient based on a first sensed parameter;
providing a second means for sensing the tightness of the belt around the chest of the patient based on a second sensed parameter; and
providing a control system for operating the drive spool to tighten the belt in order to compress the chest, and programming said control system to limit the tightness of the belt based on either of the first sensed parameter or the second sensed parameter.
12 . The method of claim 5 wherein the step of operating the drive spool to perform repeated chest compressions comprises the steps of:
operating the drive spool to tighten the belt in order to compress the chest to a first state of compression, then releasing the belt to allow the belt to loosen and allow the chest to relax; and
sensing the state of compression of the chest, and preventing movement of the belt before the belt is completely slack about the chest of the patient.