# US 11,077,311 B2 · Modular defibrillator architecture > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,077,311 B2 - Document ID: US11077311B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/146,112 - Filed: 2018-09-28 - Published: 2019-04-25 - Granted: 2021-08-03 - Earliest claimed: 2017-10-02 - Assignees: Avive Solutions, Inc. - Applicants: Revive Solutions, Inc. - Inventors: Rory M. Beyer; Gordon Moseley P. Andrews - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11077311B2 ## CPC - A61N 1/3993: {User interfaces for automatic external defibrillators} - A61N 1/025: {Digital circuitry features of electrotherapy devices, e.g. memory, clocks, processors} - A61N 1/046: {Specially adapted for shock therapy, e.g. defibrillation} - A61N 1/0492: {Patch electrodes (A61N1/0412, A61N1/0428 take precedence)} - A61N 1/3904: {External heart defibrillators [EHD]} - A61N 1/3925: {Monitoring; Protecting} - A61N 1/3968: {Constructional arrangements, e.g. casings (A61N1/375 takes precedence)} - A61N 1/3975: {Power supply (A61N1/378 takes precedence)} - A61N 1/3987: {characterised by the timing or triggering of the shock} - H01R 33/74: Devices having four or more poles {, e.g. holders for compact fluorescent lamps} - H01R 33/90: adapted for co-operation with two or more dissimilar counterparts - H02J 7/00: Circuit arrangements for charging or discharging batteries or for supplying loads from batteries - H02J 7/731: {specially adapted for holding portable devices containing batteries (H02J7/751 takes precedence)} - H02J 7/82: Control of state of charge [SOC] - H02J 7/855: {with circuits adapted for supplying loads from the battery} - H02J 7/865: {Battery or charger load switching, e.g. concurrent charging and load supply (H02J7/50 takes precedence)} - H02J 7/927: {with introduction of pulses during the charging process} - H02J 7/94: in response to battery current - G06F 3/04886: by partitioning the display area of the touch-screen or the surface of the digitising tablet into independently controllable areas, e.g. virtual keyboards or menus - H01R 2201/12: for medicine and surgery - H02J 7/345: {using capacitors as storage or buffering devices} - H02J 50/10: using inductive coupling - H02J 2105/46: Medical devices, medical implants or life supporting devices - H04W 84/042: {Public Land Mobile systems, e.g. cellular systems} - H04W 84/12: WLAN [Wireless Local Area Networks] - H04W 88/06: adapted for operation in multiple networks {or having at least two operational modes}, e.g. multi-mode terminals - A61N: ELECTROTHERAPY; MAGNETOTHERAPY; RADIATION THERAPY; ULTRASOUND THERAPY (measurement of bioelectric currents A61B; surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body A61B18/00; anaesthetic apparatus in general A61M; incandescent lamps H01K; infrared radiators for heating H05B) - H01R: ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS - H02J: ELECTRIC POWER NETWORKS; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY - G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N) - H04W: WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS (broadcast communication H04H; communication systems using wireless links for non-selective communication, e.g. wireless extensions H04M1/72) ## Abstract Several defibrillators, defibrillator architectures, defibrillator components and methods of operating defibrillators are described. In one aspect, a modular defibrillator architecture is described. A base unit provides a fully functional defibrillator. The functionality of the base unit can be supplemented by attaching an interface unit to the base unit or by connecting a smartphone the base unit. Such devices provide connectivity as well as a screen for displaying supplementary graphics and/or videos which are useful to support both emergency and maintenance & monitoring activities. In some embodiments a battery pack may also or alternatively be coupled to the base unit to prolong the unit's shelf life before recharging or replacement of its batteries is required. If necessary the base unit can be powered from a connected external device such as a mobile communication device. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A defibrillator comprising: a defibrillator controller; a capacitor unit configured to store and discharge sufficient energy to deliver a defibrillation shock to a patient; charging circuitry configured to charge the capacitor unit to a voltage suitable for delivery of the defibrillation shock; discharge circuitry suitable for discharging the capacitor unit to deliver the defibrillation shock; a first connector suitable for electrically coupling the defibrillator to an interface unit that includes a connectivity module that facilitates wireless communication with a remote server, wherein the defibrillator controller is configured to cause status messages to be sent to the interface unit via the first connector when the interface unit is electrically coupled to the defibrillator via the first connector, whereby the status messages can be conveyed from the defibrillator to the remote server by way of the interface unit; and a second connector suitable for electrically coupling an external device to the defibrillator, the external device being different than the interface unit, the second connector being configured to facilitate communications between the defibrillator controller and the external device and to receive power from the external device. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A defibrillator as recited in claim 1 further comprising: a battery configured to power the defibrillator and to provide power for charging the capacitor unit; and a battery charging controller electrically connected to the second connector and configured to charge the battery using power drawn from the external device through the second connector; and a bypass circuit configured to provide power received from the external device to the charging circuitry without passing through the battery charging controller to facilitate charging the capacitor unit when the external device is connected to the defibrillator via the second connector during charging of the capacitor unit. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) A defibrillator as recited in claim 1, wherein the defibrillator controller is further configured to cause status messages to be sent to the external device via the second connector when the interface unit is electrically coupled to the defibrillator via the first connector, whereby the status messages can also be conveyed from the defibrillator to the remote server by way of the external device. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) A defibrillator as recited in claim 1 wherein the external device is a cellular phone or other mobile communication device. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) A defibrillator as recited in claim 1 wherein the second connector is selected from the group consisting of: a USB connector; and a lightning connector. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) A defibrillator as recited in claim 5 wherein the first connector or the second connector is a USB connector selected from the group consisting of: a USB-C connector; a USB 2.0 connector; a USB 3.0 connector; a USB 3.1 connector; a USB mini connector; and a micro USB connector. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) A defibrillator as recited in claim 1 further comprising a third connector suitable for electrically coupling a second external device to the defibrillator, the third connector being distinct from the first connector and the second connector and being configured to receive power from the second external device that can be used to help charge the capacitor unit. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) A modular defibrillator system comprising a defibrillator as recited in claim 1 and the interface unit, the interface unit being mounted on and detachably attached to the defibrillator such that the defibrillator and the interface unit together form a portable system, wherein the interface unit is not required for the defibrillator to operate properly. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) A modular defibrillator system as recited in claim 8 wherein the interface unit includes a complementary connector that engages the first connector when the interface unit is physically attached to the defibrillator. ### Claim 10 A defibrillator comprising: a capacitor unit configured to store and discharge sufficient energy to deliver a defibrillation shock to a patient; charging circuitry configured to charge the capacitor unit to a voltage suitable for delivery of the defibrillation shock; discharge circuitry suitable for discharging the capacitor unit to deliver the defibrillation shock; a first connector suitable for electrically coupling the defibrillator to an interface unit that includes an associated display and includes wireless communication capabilities; and a second connector suitable for electrically coupling the defibrillator to an external device that has an associated display and includes wireless communication capabilities, the external device being different than the interface unit; and a defibrillator controller, the defibrillator controller being configured to facilitate communications with the interface unit when the interface unit is physically attached to the defibrillator and to facilitate communications with the external device when the external device is connected to the defibrillator; and wherein the defibrillator controller is further configured to cause first selected information to be transmitted from the defibrillator to the interface unit through the first connector that influences information displayed on the interface unit display when the interface unit is electrically coupled to the defibrillator via the first connector, and to cause second selected information to transmitted from the defibrillator to the interface unit through the first connector when the interface unit is electrically coupled to the defibrillator via the first connector such that the second information can be forwarded from the interface unit to a remote server, and to cause third selected information to be transmitted by the defibrillator to the external device through the second connector that influences information displayed on the external device display when the external device is electrically coupled to the defibrillator via the second connector, and to cause fourth selected information to be transmitted by the defibrillator to the external device through the second connector when the external device is electrically coupled to the defibrillator such that the fourth information can be forwarded from the external device to the remote server. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) A defibrillator as recited in claim 10 further comprising: a battery configured to power the defibrillator and to provide power for the charging of the capacitor unit; and a battery charger configured to charge the battery using power drawn from the external device. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) A defibrillator as recited in claim 11 wherein the defibrillator is configured to draw power from the external device at selected times and can selectively utilize the drawn power to both (a) supply supplemental charging power during charging of the capacitor unit; and (b) supply power to the battery charger to facilitate recharging the defibrillator battery. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) A defibrillator as recited in claim 11 further comprising an inductive charging receptor configured to receive power from the external device, wherein the battery charger and charging circuitry are both electrically coupled to the inductive charging receptor to facilitate receiving power from the external device. ### Claim 14 (depends on 10) A defibrillator as recited in claim 10 wherein the defibrillator is configured such that the defibrillator will not utilize any control instructions from the attached interface unit or any other external device during emergency use of the defibrillator. ### Claim 15 (depends on 10) A defibrillator as recited in claim 10 wherein the external device is a cellular phone or other mobile communication device that includes: a defibrillator support application installed thereon; and a processor for executing the defibrillator support application. ### Claim 16 (depends on 10) A defibrillator as recited in claim 10, wherein the defibrillator is configured to provide defibrillator state information to any connected interface unit or external device to facilitate the synchronized display of the graphic instructions on such connected interface unit or external device during use of the defibrillator. ### Claim 17 (depends on 10) A defibrillator as recited in claim 10 further comprising a wireless communications module configured to facilitate short range wireless communications. ### Claim 18 (depends on 10) A defibrillator as recited in claim 10 further comprising a defibrillator housing that contains the defibrillator controller, the capacitor unit, the charging circuitry and the discharge circuitry, the first and second connectors being expose externally on the defibrillator housing. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) A defibrillator as recited in claim 18 wherein the defibrillator housing further includes a module receptor configured to receive the interface unit and securely attach the interface unit to the defibrillator housing, the module receptor having a floor and wherein the first connector is exposed on the floor of the module receptor and is configured to engage a complementary connector on the interface unit when the interface unit is secured in the module receptor. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) A defibrillator as recited in claim 19 further comprising a placard secured in the module receptor with no interface unit present. ### Claim 21 (depends on 10) A defibrillator as recited in claim 10 further comprising a shockable rhythm detector, wherein the defibrillator is arranged to determine whether the patient has a shockable rhythm without input from the interface unit or external device. ### Claim 22 A modular defibrillator system comprising a defibrillator and an interface unit mounted on and detachably attached to the defibrillator such that the defibrillator and the interface unit may be carried together as a portable system, the defibrillator comprising: a capacitor unit configured to store and discharge sufficient energy to deliver a defibrillation shock to a patient; charging circuitry configured to charge the capacitor unit to a voltage suitable for delivery of the defibrillation shock; discharge circuitry suitable for discharging the capacitor unit to deliver the defibrillation shock; a first connector suitable for electrically coupling the interface unit to the defibrillator when the interface unit is physically attached to the defibrillator; and a second connector suitable for electrically coupling an external device to the defibrillator, the external device being different than the interface unit; and a defibrillator controller, the defibrillator controller being configured to facilitate communications with the interface unit when the interface unit is physically attached to the defibrillator and to facilitate communications with the external device when the external device is connected to the defibrillator, and the interface unit including a connectivity module that facilitates wireless communication with a remote server, wherein the interface unit is not required for the defibrillator to operate properly. ### Claim 23 (depends on 22) A modular defibrillator system as recited in claim 22 wherein the defibrillator is configured to transmit information to the interface unit during emergency use of the defibrillator, and the interface unit is not configured to transmit any control instructions to the defibrillator during emergency use of the defibrillator. ### Claim 24 (depends on 22) A modular defibrillator system as recited in claim 22 wherein: the interface unit is not required for the defibrillator to operate properly; and the defibrillator is fully functional without the presence of the interface unit or the external device. ### Claim 25 (depends on 22) A modular defibrillator system as recited in claim 22 wherein the defibrillator includes a defibrillator battery and the interface unit includes an interface unit battery and the defibrillator is configured to permit the interface unit battery to be recharged at selected times when the defibrillator is coupled to a charger without drawing any power from the defibrillator battery. ### Claim 26 An automated external defibrillator (AED) comprising: a capacitor unit configured to store and discharge sufficient energy to deliver a defibrillation shock to a patient; charging circuitry configured to charge the capacitor unit to a voltage suitable for delivery of the defibrillation shock; discharge circuitry suitable for discharging the capacitor unit to deliver the defibrillation shock; a first connector suitable for electrically coupling an interface unit, that includes a connectivity module that facilitates wireless communication with a remote server, to the defibrillator when the interface unit is physically attached to the defibrillator; and a second connector suitable for electrically coupling an external device to the defibrillator, the external device being different than the interface unit; and a defibrillator controller, the defibrillator controller being configured to facilitate communications with the interface unit via the first connector when the interface unit is physically attached to the AED and electrically coupled to the AED via the first connector and to facilitate communications with the external device when the external device is connected to the AED, the defibrillator controller being further configured to cause first defibrillator status messages to be sent to the interface unit via the first connector when the interface unit is electrically coupled to the AED via the first connector, and to cause second defibrillator status messages to be sent to the external device via the second connector when the external device is electrically coupled to the AED via the second connector, whereby the status messages can be conveyed from the AED to the remote server by way of the first connector/interface unit and by way of the second connector/external device.