Automatic defibrillator module for integration with standard patient monitoring equipment

Abstract

A defibrillator module is described which includes a cardiac sensor, a pulse generator and a controller that generates commands responsive to intrinsic cardiac signals for the operation of said pulse generator. The defibrillator module synergistic and arranged so that it can be coupled to a generic patient monitor so that the two can share certain functions. For example, operational parameters and other signals indicative of the operation of the defibrillator module can be shown to the clinician by the patient monitor. Data between the defibrillator module and the patient monitor is exchanged using either a standard or a customized protocol.

1 - 21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . A method of interfacing an external defibrillator to a plurality of patient monitors, each monitor having a data processor, a display, a data interface, each of the plurality of patient monitors operational according to one of several different sets of operational characteristics, the method comprising:
 providing a defibrillator module including a pulse generator responsive to commands to generate therapeutic pulses for the patient and a data generator arranged to generate indication signals indicative of an operation of said defibrillator module, wherein the defibrillator module is programmable to interface with each of the plurality of patient monitors;   providing instructions for communicably coupling the defibrillator module to one of the plurality of patient monitors; and   providing instructions for operating the defibrillation module to provide therapy, such that indicative signals are communicated from the defibrillator module to the patient monitor using the one of the different sets of operational characteristics for the one of the plurality of patient monitors and is displayed on the display of that monitor.   
     
     
         23 . A method of interfacing an external defibrillator to a plurality of patient monitors, each monitor having a data processor, a display, a data interface, each of the plurality of patient monitors operational according to one of several different sets of operational characteristics, the method comprising:
 using a defibrillator module including a pulse generator responsive to commands to generate therapeutic pulses for the patient and a data generator arranged to generate indication signals indicative of an operation of said defibrillator module, wherein the defibrillator module is programmable to interface with each of the plurality of patient monitors;   communicably coupling the defibrillator module to one of the plurality of patient monitors; and   operating the defibrillation module to provide therapy, such that indicative signals are communicated from the defibrillator module to the patient monitor using the one of the different sets of operational characteristics for the one of the plurality of patient monitors and is displayed on the display of that monitor.