System and method for network-enabled automatic electronic defibrillators
A system and method of network-enabled automatic electronic defibrillators (AEDs) may be used to assist with cardiac emergencies. The system includes at least two AEDs positioned in different geographic locations. At least one location-providing tag is positioned on each of the at least two AEDs. A controller is capable of communicating with the location-providing tag of each of the at least two AEDs through at least one network connection. When a cardiac emergency occurs, an AED located nearby may be identified or requested to assist with the emergency.
1. An emergency response system for alerting trained neighborhood volunteer operators to collect an automatic external defibrillator (AED) and deliver the AED to a neighborhood cardiac emergency, comprising:
at least two AEDs held in lockboxes in different geographic locations in a neighborhood community;
a central emergency dispatch hub configured to send an emergency alert to the trained neighborhood volunteer operators; and
a device configured to communicate with the trained neighborhood volunteer operators and alert the trained neighborhood volunteer operators of the neighborhood cardiac emergency and a location of a victim of the neighborhood cardiac emergency,
wherein the lockboxes are configured to unlock automatically upon receiving a signal from the central emergency dispatch hub or from a trained neighborhood volunteer operator in a vicinity of the lockbox and to remain unlocked for a period of time after receiving a signal and then relock automatically or remain unlocked if an AED is removed and relock automatically only after the AED is returned to the lockbox.
2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the central emergency dispatch hub is configured to communicate to the trained neighborhood volunteer operators via a smart phone or dedicated receiver.
3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the lockboxes include one or more solar cells.
4. The system of claim 3 , wherein the lockboxes each include a heater and/or cooler for heating or cooling the interior of the lockbox.
5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the central emergency dispatch hub is configured to simultaneously communicate with the trained neighborhood volunteer operators and an EMS team.
6. The system of claim 1 , wherein additional AED's also are located in residences of one or more of the trained neighborhood volunteer operators.
7. A method for improving response time for dispatching AED's with trained neighborhood volunteer operators to a victim of a neighborhood cardiac emergency, comprising, providing an emergency response system as claimed in 1 , and alerting the trained neighborhood volunteer operators of a cardiac event and the location of the victim.
8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the trained neighborhood volunteer operators are alerted via a network selected from a wireless network, a hardwired network and a WiFi network.
9. The method of claim 7 , wherein the trained neighborhood volunteer operators are alerted via a smart phone.
10. The method of claim 7 , wherein the trained neighborhood volunteer operators are alerted at the same time or shortly thereafter the central emergency dispatch hub alerts an EMS team.