Chest compressor
Apparatus for compressing the chest of a patient to stimulate blood circulation, includes a torso wrap ( 32 ) that has a back portion ( 40 ) lying at the back of the patient's chest and a front portion ( 42 ) lying at the front of the patient's chest, and includes a compressor assembly with an actuator ( 16 ) having a pressing member ( 12 ) that can apply a series of force pulses to the sternum of the patient to stimulate blood circulation. The actuator is energized by pressured fluid, with a controlled pressured fluid source ( 20 ) connected by an elongated flexible hose ( 24 ) to the actuator so the pressured fluid source and a control ( 22 ) can lie on the ground and only the actuator lies on the torso wrap. The actuator includes a cylinder ( 66 ) and a plurality of telescoping piston parts ( 64, 66 ) to provide a long stroke in an actuator of small height. A stabilizer ( 150 ) that limits tilt of the actuator from the vertical, includes a saucer-shaped member that presses against the front of the patient.
1. Apparatus for applying compressions to the chest of a patient to stimulate blood circulation, comprising:
an energized compressor assembly which includes an actuator and a source of pressured fluid;
a torso wrap that couples to said actuator and that wraps to the back of the patient, so downward forces of the piston against the patient's chest are withstood by upward forces applied to the patient's back;
said actuator includes a cylinder which has an inside surface and a piston with a plurality of telescoping piston parts that telescope in one another and that are exposed to pressured fluid in said cylinder, including an upper piston part that fits closely in said cylinder and a lowermost piston part, and including a pressing member on a lower end of said lowermost piston part for pressing against the patient's chest;
said lowermost piston part having a lower piston inside surface which is exposed to said pressured fluid and which has at least half the diameter of said inside surface of said cylinder.
2. Apparatus for applying compressions to the chest of a patient to stimulate blood circulation, comprising:
an energizable compressor assembly which includes an actuator that has a stationary portion with a vertical axis that extends perpendicular to the patient's chest, and a pressing member for pressing against the patient;
a torso wrap that couples to said actuator and that wraps to the back of the patient, so downward forces of the pressing member against the patient's chest are withstood by upward forces applied to the patient's back;
a saucer-shaped stabilizer that has a center fixed to said actuator stationary portion and a radially outer portion that extends in a curve substantially completely around the axis and that rests against the patient's chest.