Surgery – Truss – Perineal
Patent
1993-02-08
1994-02-22
Apley, Richard J.
Surgery
Truss
Perineal
128 302, A61H 3100
Patent
active
052878465
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
This invention relates to a device for resuscitation of patients with cardiac arrest by providing an external pulsating mechanical pressure on the patient's sternum.
During such a resuscitation process the patient is unconscious. Usually manual heart massage is undertaken as the chest is depressed manually by applying the hand with great force (up to 70 kp) in short-lasting pushes having a frequency of approximately 100 depressions per minute. This process often has to be undertaken under difficult conditions and in critical circumstances. During optimal conditions such heart massage can scarcely keep the patient alive, but optimal conditions very seldom exist during transport by ambulance. Transport on a stretcher to and from the ambulance, often on staircases, is critical as well. During a prolonged revival process the physical stamina of the personnel is in addition usually limited. Recent research reports recommend both increased frequency and increased pressure compared with earlier recommendations. Manual heart massage is going to be insufficient related to the new recommendations, and this fact increases the requirements for mechanical massage.
Earlier, many different types of pneumatic devices for automatic operation were developed and patented. Examples are to be found in designs shown in Norwegian patents Nos. 109.274 and 133.827, Swedish patent applications Nos 763389-1, 7712019.2, British patent Nos. 1.40.581 and 1.492.105 as well U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,702,231, 3,461,858 and 3,351,052. Further, an American pneumatic heart massage apparatus produced by Michigan Instruments Inc., is available. All those devices use pressure-cylinders to provide the mechanical power. These cylinders are fixed either by straps and equipped with a rigid, non-flexible cylinder holder intruding from the one side, or have an adjustable arched frame arranged over the patient's thorax. The devices are designed for installation on a stretcher and they are provided with a thick back support to keep the patient in a correct position, chest upwards and head downwards and backwards.
During practical use these devices do not function satisfactorily. This is not necessarily due to bad technical operation but to poor user qualities. This conclusion has been reached after interviews with ambulance staff who had tested different brands. Only one of the types, the American model, is available on the market, but only a few such devices have been sold in Norway in spite of a remarkable need here on account of the long transport distances in fringe areas. The most common problems are heavy weight and awkward shapes and dimensions, e.g. the device protrudes from the one side of the stretcher. Great weight cannot be avoided if a pneumatic solution is used, as the cylinders require compressed air which has to be provided by means of heavy gas containers which must be carried along during transportation by stretcher to the ambulance. The above mentioned American apparatus weighs 32 kilos when operational.
An important demand is that the equipment has to be very flexible. In practice one does not know whether the patient needs heart massage or not until one has been on the scene of the accident, which may be far away from the ambulance (e.g. many storeys up in a block of flats). Thus the equipment always has to be taken along when use may be anticipated, although there may be a large risk that it will not be needed. The equipment therefor has to be easily portable to be practical for use at a distance from the ambulance. In addition it must be easy to stow away in a confined ambulance. Further, another practical problem has arisen which has resulted in great difficulties for the user. If the patient is moved in relation to the plunger great damage may occur, for instance compression of the diaphragm, broken ribs etc. If the pressure cylinder/plunger is rigidly joined to the back support, practical use has shown that a change of position may occur even when the patient is strapped to the equipment with straps or belts. In some of the solutions t
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Capjon Jan
Nygaardsvik Atle
Apley Richard J.
Medreco A.S.
Reichard Lynne A.
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