Surgery: light – thermal – and electrical application – Light – thermal – and electrical application – Electrical therapeutic systems
Reexamination Certificate
1998-04-08
2001-01-09
Schaetzle, Kennedy (Department: 3762)
Surgery: light, thermal, and electrical application
Light, thermal, and electrical application
Electrical therapeutic systems
C607S036000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06173203
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to automated external defibrillator circuit boards. In particular, the present invention relates to a cushioned material for mounting and protecting automated external defibrillator circuit boards within an automated external defibrillator housing and for providing conductive shielding from electromagnetic interference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Automated external defibrillators (AEDs) are often used by such emergency response personnel as police and paramedics. Consequently, AEDs are often stored in automobiles and ambulances in places where they are often jolted during transport. Moreover, in responding to emergencies, AEDs must often be quickly carried from vehicles to the site of a patient in extreme need of defibrillation. In being carried and utilized, AEDs may be dropped or knocked off raised horizontal surfaces. However, in order to function properly, the inner circuitry of AEDs must not sustain damage. Thus, there is a need to provide AEDs with the ability to sustain the jarring, dropping and other abuse inherent in an emergency situation.
One method of mounting circuit boards in AEDs is with screws. In this manner, the circuit boards are fixedly screwed to mounting posts inside the AED housing. However, when screws are utilized to fix circuit boards, assembly time, hence manufacturing cost, is increased. Moreover, during drop tests with circuit boards fixedly screwed into an AED housing, impact forces may approach 100-500 Gs when the AED strikes the floor. When screws are utilized to affix circuit boards to AED housings, the circuit boards are not cushioned against damages resulting from these forces.
Exposure of a defibrillator circuit board to electromagnetic interference during recharge, testing and defibrillation can result in malfunction, misdiagnosis of the readiness state of the device for defibrillation and a failure of the device to function during recharge or defibrillation. One alternative is to manufacture the AED housing with a metallic lining. However, this practice adds to the expense of the product.
It would be desirable to provide a cushioned mounting which protects circuit boards from damage, provides an efficient and low cost method of affixing circuit boards to AED housing during manufacture, and which provides for shielding from electromagnetic interference.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is an automated external defibrillator circuit (AED) mounting structure wherein at least one circuit board is mounted in an AED housing. A die cut foam mounting structure according to the present invention is provided for mounting the at least one circuit board in the housing. The die cut foam mounting structure according to the present invention has a plurality of receiving cavities formed therein to receive various circuit components from the circuit board. The die cut foam of the present invention is preferably a closed cell low cell density polyurethane. In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the foam further includes a metal foil bonded to the foam which provides conductive shielding from electromagnetic interference. This provides a cost savings by allowing the elimination of the shielding currently used in an AED.
The present invention also provides a method for assembling an electronic circuitry system within an AED case. The defibrillator case of the preferred embodiment includes a case lower portion and a case upper portion. The electronic circuitry system includes a first and second circuit board, each circuit board with a raised element, a first die cut foam mounting structure with a first and second cut out portion, and a second die cut foam mounting structure. The preferred method includes disposing the first circuit board proximate the first mounting structure such that the raised element is accommodated by the first cut out portion. The first mounting structure and the first circuit board are then placed within the case lower portion. The case upper portion and the case lower portion are then mated and secured together.
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Barkley Steven D.
Johnson Robert K.
Patterson Thuente Skaar & Christensen P.A.
Schaetzle Kennedy
SurVivaLink Corpration
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