System and method for network-enabled automatic electronic defibrillators

Abstract

A system and method of network-enabled automatic electronic defibrillators (AEDs) may be used to assist with cardiac emergencies. The system includes at least two AEDs positioned in different geographic locations. At least one location-providing tag is positioned on each of the at least two AEDs. A controller is capable of communicating with the location-providing tag of each of the at least two AEDs through at least one network connection. When a cardiac emergency occurs, an AED located nearby may be identified or requested to assist with the emergency.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An emergency first aid response system for alerting trained neighborhood volunteer operators to collect a first aid kit and deliver the first aid kit to a victim requiring first aid assistance, comprising:
 at least two first aid kits held under secure conditions in different geographic locations in a neighborhood community;   a central emergency dispatch hub configured to send an emergency alert to the trained neighborhood volunteer operators and to communicate with the trained neighborhood volunteer operators and alert the trained neighborhood volunteer operators of the neighborhood first aid emergency and a location of a nearby first aid kit and the location of a victim requiring first aid assistance.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least two first aid kits are held in lockboxes,
 wherein the lockboxes are configured to unlock automatically upon receiving a signal from the central emergency dispatch hub or from a trained neighborhood volunteer operator in a vicinity of the lockbox and to remain unlocked for a period of time after receiving a signal and then relock automatically, or remain unlocked if a first aid kit is removed and not returned.   
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the central emergency dispatch hub is configured to communicate to the trained neighborhood volunteer operators via a smart phone or dedicated receiver. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the lockboxes include one or more solar cells. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the central emergency dispatch hub is configured to simultaneously communicate with the trained neighborhood volunteer operators and an EMS team. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein additional first aid kits are located in residences of one or more of the trained neighborhood volunteer operators. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the lockboxes each include a heater and/or cooler for heating or cooling the interior of the lockbox. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first aid kits include automatic external defibrillators. 
     
     
         9 . A method for improving response time for dispatching emergency aid to a victim requiring first aid assistance, comprising, providing an emergency response system as claimed in  1 , and alerting trained neighborhood volunteer operators of a first aid emergency and a location of a nearby first aid kit and the location of the victim. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the trained neighborhood volunteer operators are alerted via a network selected from a wireless network, a hardwired network and a WiFi network. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the trained neighborhood volunteer operators are alerted via a smart phone. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the trained neighborhood volunteer operators are alerted at the same time or shortly thereafter the central emergency dispatch hub alerts an EMS team.