Systems and methods for head up cardiopulmonary resuscitation

Abstract

A method for performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) includes elevating the heart of an individual to a first height relative to a lower body of the individual. The lower body may be in a substantially horizontal plane. The method may also include elevating the head of the individual to a second height relative to the lower body of the individual. The second height may be greater than the first height. The method may further include performing one or more of a type of CPR or a type of intrathoracic pressure regulation while elevating the heart and the head. The first height and the second height may be determined based on one or both of the type of CPR or the type of intrathoracic pressure regulation.

1 .- 16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . A method for performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), comprising:
 positioning an individual on an elevation device in a stable selected position to elevate the individual's heart and head, the stable selected position comprising a relationship between the individual's head, neck, and chest, the elevation device comprising:
 an upper support surface that is movable between a lowermost support position and an uppermost support position, the upper support surface comprising a predefined head-receiving region and a predefined thorax-receiving region, the upper support surface being configured to receive and support the individual's upper back, shoulders, and head such that a central portion of the individual's brain is positioned above the heart and shoulders relative to a horizontal plane at all angular positions of the upper support surface including both the lowermost support position and the uppermost support position when the individual's head is supported by the predefined head-receiving region and the individual's chest is supported by the predefined thorax-receiving region; 
   elevating at least a portion of the upper support surface to elevate the head of the individual relative to the heart; and   performing CPR while elevating the head relative to the heart.   
     
     
         18 . The method for performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) of  claim 17 , wherein:
 performing CPR comprises performing active compression-decompression CPR.   
     
     
         19 . The method for performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) of  claim 17 , wherein:
 elevating the at least the portion of the upper support surface comprises elevating the upper support surface to an intermediate position that is between the lowermost support position and the uppermost support position.   
     
     
         20 . The method for performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) of  claim 17 , wherein:
 elevating the at least the portion of the upper support surface comprises elevating the upper support surface to the uppermost support position.   
     
     
         21 . The method for performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) of  claim 17 , further comprising:
 regulating an intrathoracic pressure of the individual.   
     
     
         22 . The method for performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) of  claim 21 , wherein:
 regulating the intrathoracic pressure is done using an impedance threshold device interfaced with the individual's airway.   
     
     
         23 . The method for performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) of  claim 17 , wherein:
 the elevation device comprises a support that maintains the upper support surface at a desired position between and including the uppermost support position and the lowermost support position.   
     
     
         24 . The method for performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) of  claim 23 , wherein:
 the support comprises a base that is operably coupled with the upper support surface.   
     
     
         25 . The method for performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) of  claim 23 , further comprising:
 engaging at least one lock mechanism to maintain a position of the upper support surface relative to the support.   
     
     
         26 . The method for performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) of  claim 17 , wherein:
 performing CPR comprises repeatedly compressing the individual's chest using a chest compression device that is operably coupled with the upper support surface.   
     
     
         27 . The method for performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) of  claim 26 , wherein:
 the chest compression device is removably coupled with the upper support surface.   
     
     
         28 . An elevation device used in the performance of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), comprising:
 an upper support surface that is movable between a lowermost support position and an uppermost support position, the upper support surface comprising a predefined head-receiving region and a predefined thorax-receiving region, the upper support surface being configured to receive and support the individual's upper back, shoulders, and head such that a central portion of the individual's brain is positioned above the individual's heart and shoulders relative to a horizontal plane at all angular positions of the upper support surface including both the lowermost support position and the uppermost support position when the individual's head is supported by the predefined head-receiving region and the individual's chest is supported by the predefined thorax-receiving region.   
     
     
         29 . The elevation device used in the performance of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) of  claim 28 , wherein:
 the upper support surface is elevatable to an intermediate position that is between the lowermost support position and the uppermost support position.   
     
     
         30 . The elevation device used in the performance of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) of  claim 28 , further comprising:
 a support that maintains the upper support surface at a desired position between and including the uppermost support position and the lowermost support position.   
     
     
         31 . The elevation device used in the performance of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) of  claim 30 , wherein:
 the support comprises a base that is operably coupled with the upper support surface.   
     
     
         32 . The elevation device used in the performance of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) of  claim 30 , further comprising:
 at least one lock mechanism that, when engaged, maintains the upper support surface in a desired position relative to the support.   
     
     
         33 . The elevation device used in the performance of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) of  claim 28 , further comprising:
 a chest compression device that is operably coupled with the upper support surface.   
     
     
         34 . The elevation device used in the performance of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) of  claim 33 , wherein:
 the chest compression device is removably coupled with the upper support surface.   
     
     
         35 . The elevation device used in the performance of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) of  claim 33 , wherein:
 the chest compression device is movable with the upper support surface to maintain the chest compression device at a proper angle relative to the individual's chest at all angles of the upper support surface.   
     
     
         36 . The elevation device used in the performance of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) of  claim 33 , wherein:
 the chest compression device is configured to actively decompress the individual's chest after each chest compression.