Single use AED
An automatic external defibrillator (AED) is described which is designed for use in a single cardiac emergency. If the AED is in standby for a year without being deployed, the AED is removed from service and replaced with another AED. The AED requires a rescuer only to deploy the electrodes on the torso of the victim; the AED turns itself on, performs rhythm analysis and delivers a shock if needed automatically. The AED thus requires no user controls. Preferably the AED requires no on-site maintenance, as the AED communicates its readiness for use to a remote monitoring site which responds to any problems detected by self-testing. In addition to its electro-resuscitation function, the AED can be used on the chest of the victim to administer CPR compressions.
1. A method for maintaining an automatic external defibrillator, (AED), in readiness for use, the method comprising:
providing an AED for storage, for a single use for a single rescue at a customer location, and for a predetermined period of time, the AED comprising a battery, wherein the battery has a capacity to support delivery of only a limited number of shocks for the single use;
during storage of the AED prior to the single use and for up to a useful lifetime, coupling the AED to an external power source, and continually charging the battery at the customer location, wherein the AED is stored and maintained at the customer location ready for use to resuscitate a subject;
self-testing the AED;
monitoring based on the self-testing, a readiness for use of the AED; and
electronically transmitting, based on the monitoring, a service message for returning the AED to a supplier in response to either (i) an end of the predetermined period of time, or (ii) prior to an expiration of the predetermined period of time, a single usage of the AED for a rescue, as indicated by a sensed deployment of a set of electrodes that are attached to the AED.
2. The method of claim 1 , further wherein the electronically transmitting the service message for returning the AED to the supplier is further in response to, prior to expiration of the predetermined period of time, a determination by the monitoring that the AED is not ready for use.
3. The method of claim 2 , wherein monitoring further comprises monitoring at least one of a condition of a battery of the AED, a condition of electrodes of the AED, or a functioning of circuitry of the AED.
4. The method of claim 3 , wherein monitoring further comprises monitoring a readiness of the AED by communication from the AED to a remote monitoring site.
5. The method of claim 3 , wherein the AED further comprises one or more of an audio or visual device for issuing a customer alert configured to alert the customer to a determination that the AED is not ready for use.
6. The method of claim 3 , wherein the method further comprises electronically transmitting a determination by the monitoring that the AED is not ready for use to a remote location, wherein the remote location comprises a remote monitoring site.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the AED is a first AED, and the method further comprising, following the electronically transmitting the service message for returning the AED to a supplier at an end of the predetermined period of time:
providing a second AED for storage and potential use at the customer location for a second predetermined period of time.
8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the providing further comprises providing the AED to the customer location for a one year period of time.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the electronically transmitting the service message for returning the AED to the supplier is further in response to, prior to expiration of the predetermined period of time, an input to return the AED to the supplier by a customer.
10. The method of claim 1 , wherein providing further comprises providing the AED to the customer location for a one year period of time.
11. The method of claim 1 , wherein providing further comprises providing the AED to the customer location on a month-to-month basis.
12. The method of claim 1 , further comprising, following the electronically transmitting the service message for returning the AED to a supplier prior to an expiration of the predetermined period of time after usage of the AED for a rescue:
providing a second AED for storage and potential use at the customer location for a remaining balance of the predetermined period of time.
13. The method of claim 1 , further comprising, following the electronically transmitting the service message for returning the AED to a supplier prior to an expiration of the predetermined period of time after usage of the AED for a rescue, the step of:
providing a second AED for storage and potential use at the customer location for another predetermined period of time.
14. The method of claim 1 , wherein the electronically transmitting the service message for returning the AED to the supplier further comprises:
retrieving, from the customer location, the AED by the supplier; and
at a time of the retrieving, providing a second AED to the customer location.