ACTIVE COMPRESSION DECOMPRESSION AND UPPER BODY ELEVATION SYSTEM
An elevation device used in the performance of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and after resuscitation includes a base and an upper support operably coupled to the base. The upper support is configured to elevate an individual's upper back, shoulders and head. The elevation device also includes a chest compression device coupled with the base. The chest compression device is configured to compress the chest and to actively decompress the chest.
1 . (canceled)
2 . An elevation device used in the performance of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), comprising:
a support structure that is configured to be positioned atop a substantially horizontal support surface, the support structure comprising a patient-receiving surface that comprises a predefined head-receiving region and a predefined thorax-receiving region, wherein the predefined head-receiving region is at a greater angle relative to the support surface than the predefined thorax-receiving region; and
a chest compression device mount positioned proximate the predefined thorax-receiving region.
3 . The elevation device used in the performance of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) of claim 2 , wherein:
the patient-receiving surface is pivotable relative to the support surface such that the patient-receiving surface is moveable between a lowermost position and at least one elevated position.
4 . The elevation device used in the performance of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) of claim 3 , wherein:
the patient-receiving surface is configured to support and elevate an individual's upper back, shoulders and head such that a central portion of the brain is positioned above the heart and shoulders relative to a horizontal plane at all angular positions of the support surface including the lowermost position of the patient-receiving surface when the individual's head is supported by the predefined head-receiving region and the individual's chest is supported by the predefined thorax-receiving region.
5 . The elevation device used in the performance of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) of claim 3 , further comprising:
a support mechanism that is configured to maintain the patient-receiving surface at a desired elevated position that is elevated relative to the lowered position.
6 . The elevation device used in the performance of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) of claim 2 , wherein:
the support structure comprises a base; and
the patient-receiving surface is pivotable relative to the support surface such that the patient-receiving surface is moveable between a lowermost position and at least one elevated position.
7 . The elevation device used in the performance of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) of claim 2 , wherein:
the patient-receiving surface elevates a center of the heart to a first height of between about 3 cm and 8 cm above the support surface and elevates the center of the brain to a second height of between about 10 cm and 40 cm relative to the support surface.
8 . The elevation device used in the performance of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) of claim 2 , further comprising:
one or more patient positioning aids.
9 . The elevation device used in the performance of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) of claim 8 , wherein:
the one or more patient positioning aids comprise at least one feature selected from a group consisting of: armpit supports, a shoulder support, a neck support, and a head-receiving recess.
10 . An elevation device used in the performance of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), comprising:
a support structure that is configured to be positioned atop a substantially horizontal support surface, the support structure comprising a patient-receiving surface that comprises a predefined head-receiving region and a predefined thorax-receiving region, wherein:
the predefined head-receiving region is at a greater angle relative to the support surface than the predefined thorax-receiving region; and
the patient-receiving surface is pivotable relative to the support surface such that the patient-receiving surface is moveable between a lowermost position and at least one elevated position; and
a chest compression device mount positioned proximate the predefined thorax-receiving region.
11 . The elevation device used in the performance of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) of claim 10 , further comprising:
a chest compression device operably coupled with the support structure using the chest compression device mount.
12 . The elevation device used in the performance of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) of claim 11 , wherein:
the chest compression device is configured to compress the chest and to actively decompress the chest.
13 . The elevation device used in the performance of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) of claim 10 , wherein:
a relative angle between the predefined head-receiving region and the predefined thorax-receiving region changes during elevation of the patient-receiving surface.
14 . The elevation device used in the performance of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) of claim 10 , further comprising:
a motor configured to adjust an angle of the patient-receiving surface.
15 . The elevation device used in the performance of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) of claim 10 , wherein:
at least a portion of the patient-receiving surface has a curved profile such that a medial section of the portion of the patient-receiving surface is lower relative to end sections of the portion of the patient-receiving surface.
16 . A method of elevating an individual during the performance of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), comprising:
positioning an individual on an elevation device that is positioned on a support surface such that the individual's upper chest and heart are supported by a predefined thorax-receiving region of a patient-receiving surface and the individual's shoulders and head are supported by a predefined head-receiving region of the patient-receiving surface, wherein the predefined head-receiving region is at a greater angle relative to the support surface than the predefined thorax-receiving region such that the individual's head is raised relative to the heart; and
performing chest compressions using a chest compression device while the individual's shoulders and head are raised relative to the heart.
17 . The method of elevating an individual during the performance of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) of claim 16 , further comprising:
elevating the patient-receiving surface relative to the support surface, thereby raising the individual's shoulders and head relative to the heart.
18 . The method of elevating an individual during the performance of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) of claim 17 , wherein:
a central portion of the brain is positioned above the heart and shoulders at all angular positions of the patient-receiving surface, including a lowermost surface of the patient-receiving surface.
19 . The method of elevating an individual during the performance of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) of claim 16 , further comprising:
coupling a chest compression device with at least one mounting site on the elevation device such that that the chest compression device is mounted just below the individual's armpits.
20 . The method of elevating an individual during the performance of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) of claim 16 , wherein:
performing chest compressions comprises actively performing chest compressions and decompressions using the chest compression device while the individual's shoulders and head are raised relative to the heart.
21 . The method of elevating an individual during the performance of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) of claim 16 , further comprising:
regulating an intrathoracic pressure of the individual while the individual's shoulders and head are raised relative to the heart.