Pulse sensors

Abstract

External defibrillators are provided that include a pulse sensor. These defibrillators may be used to treat a patient showing signs of possible cardiac arrest. ?

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An external defibrillator comprising 
 defibrillator electrodes, and    a piezoelectric polymer pulse sensor.    
     
     
         2 . The external defibrillator of  claim 1  further comprising instrumentation for performing an ECG analysis.  
     
     
         3 . The external defibrillator of  claim 1  further comprising instrumentation for analyzing a signal obtained from the pulse sensor.  
     
     
         4 . The external defibrillator of  claim 1  wherein said pulse sensor is self-shielded.  
     
     
         5 . The external defibrillator of  claim 1  further comprising a strap for attaching said pulse sensor to a patient's neck.  
     
     
         6 . The external defibrillator of  claim 1  wherein said piezoelectric pulse sensor is mounted on one of said defibrillator electrodes.  
     
     
         7 . The external defibrillator of  claim 1  further comprising a display constructed to display information to a user.  
     
     
         8 . The external defibrillator of  claim 7  further comprising instrumentation for performing an ECG analysis, instrumentation for analyzing a signal obtained from the pulse sensor, and instrumentation for converting the results of the ECG analysis and signal analysis into a message to be displayed to the user or provided as an auditory prompt.  
     
     
         9 . A medical device comprising 
 a piezoelectric polymer pulse sensor; and    a strap constructed to allow the pulse sensor to be attached to a patient's neck.    
     
     
         10 . The medical device of  claim 9  wherein the pulse sensor is self-shielded.  
     
     
         11 . The medical device of  claim 9  wherein the strap comprises an elastic material.  
     
     
         12 . The medical device of  claim 9  further comprising a cable to connect the pulse sensor to instrumentation.  
     
     
         13 . A medical device comprising 
 a piezoelectric polymer pulse sensor, and    a foam pad having a first surface to which the pulse sensor is attached, and a second surface constructed to be attached to a patient.    
     
     
         14 . The medical device of  claim 13  wherein the second surface includes a layer of pressure-sensitive adhesive.  
     
     
         15 . A method of treating a patient showing signs of possible cardiac arrest comprising: 
 applying a piezoelectric pulse sensor to the patient;    applying electrodes of a defibrillator to the patient; and    using the pulse sensor to detect whether the patient has a pulse.    
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  further comprising monitoring the pulse if present.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the defibrillator has an ECG function and the method further comprises using the ECG function of the defibrillator to monitor the patient's heart rhythm.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15  further comprising analyzing the pulse and heart rhythm to determine the appropriate treatment for the patient.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18  wherein the analyzing step includes determining whether the patient's pulse, if present, is correlated with the R-wave of the patient's heart rhythm.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19  wherein, if the determination is positive, no ECG analysis is performed.  
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 18  wherein the analyzing step includes determining whether the ECG rhythm is treatable with defibrillation.  
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21  further comprising, if the determination is positive, delivering a shock to the patient using the defibrillator.  
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22  further comprising delivering a predetermined number of shocks to the patient, and then subsequently determining whether the patient's pulse, if present, is correlated with the R-wave of the patient's heart rhythm.  
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23  further comprising, if the subsequent determination is negative, administering CPR to the patient.  
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24  further comprising using the pulse sensor to determine the efficacy of the CPR treatment.  
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the pulse sensor comprises a piezoelectric polymer film.  
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the pulse sensor is mounted on an elastic strap.  
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 27  further comprising attaching the elastic strap around the patient's neck.  
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the pulse sensor is mounted on one of the electrodes of the defibrillator.  
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the pulse sensor further comprises a foam layer.  
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the pulse sensor is self-shielded.  
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 15  further comprising attaching the pulse sensor to a patient using a clip, patch or suction device.  
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 32  wherein the pulse sensor is attached to the patient's neck.  
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 32  wherein the pulse sensor is attached to a pulse point other than on the patient's neck.  
     
     
         35 . A method of treating a patient showing signs of possible cardiac arrest comprising: 
 applying a piezoelectric pulse sensor to the patient;    using the pulse sensor to detect whether the patient has a pulse; and    using the pulse sensor to determine whether to apply electrodes of a defibrillator to the patient.    
     
     
         36 . A method of treating a patient showing signs of possible cardiac arrest comprising: 
 applying a piezoelectric pulse sensor to the patient;    using the pulse sensor to detect whether the patient has a pulse; and    using the pulse sensor to determine whether to perform CPR on the patient.    
     
     
         37 . The external defibrillator of  claim 1  further comprising a clip, patch or suction device constructed to attach the pulse sensor to a patient.  
     
     
         38 . The external defibrillator of  claim 1  wherein said external defibrillator comprises an automated defibrillator.