Modular defibrillator architecture

A defibrillator interface unit adapted to be mounted on a base defibrillator unit that is capable of operating independently as an automated external defibrillator (AED) both (i) with the defibrillator interface unit attached, and (ii) without the defibrillator interface unit, the defibrillator interface unit comprising:

• a housing configured to be mounted on the base defibrillator unit to form at least a part of a unitary portable modular defibrillator system that combines the base defibrillator unit and the defibrillator interface unit;
• a communications module configured to facilitate wireless communication between the defibrillator interface unit and one or more remote servers;
• a processing unit that includes at least one processor, the processing unit being configured to receive communications from the base defibrillator unit;
• a touch sensitive display screen controlled by the processing unit;
• and
• a power storage unit that powers the defibrillator interface unit including the communications module, the display screen and the processing unit.

A defibrillator interface unit adapted to be mounted on a base defibrillator unit that is capable of operating independently as an automated external defibrillator (AED) both (i) with the defibrillator interface unit attached, and (ii) without the defibrillator interface unit, the defibrillator interface unit comprising:

• a processing unit that includes at least one processor;
• memory having a multiplicity of visual instructions stored therein;
• a power storage unit that powers the defibrillator interface unit including the communications module and the processing unit;
• and
• a housing configured to be mounted on the base defibrillator unit to form at least a part of a unitary portable modular defibrillator system that combines the base defibrillator unit and the defibrillator interface unit, wherein the processing unit, the memory and the power storage unit are at least partially contained within the housing;
• and
• wherein the processing unit is arranged to, during emergency use of the portable modular defibrillator system,
• (i) receive an instruction state identifier from the base defibrillator unit indicative of an audio instruction generated by the base defibrillator unit,
• (ii) retrieve a selected one of the visual instructions corresponding to the instruction state identifier from the memory of the defibrillator interface unit;
• and
• (iii) cause the retrieved selected visual instruction to be displayed on the display screen to facilitate the synchronized display of the visual instruction on the display screen with the audio instruction generated by the base defibrillator unit;
• and
• (iv) repeat (i)-(iii) for a plurality of different instruction state identifiers.