Sterile disposable internal defibrillation paddles
AssigneeKoninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
InventorsJames L. Miller, Joan A. Kelly
Life of this patent
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AssigneeKoninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
InventorsJames L. Miller, Joan A. Kelly
Estimating the term…
A disposable internal defibrillator paddle providing for a more economical and easier defibrillation procedure than non disposable paddles. The disposable paddle contains: (a) a handle attached to a shaft attached to a spoon, the spoon having a receiving unit, and the handle, the shaft, and the spoon are all made of non conducting material; and (b) an electrode plate attaching onto the receiving unit of the spoon.
A self testing internal defibrillator paddle package apparatus, comprising:
A self testing defibrillator paddle package apparatus, comprising:
A malleable internal paddle shaft and spoon apparatus, comprising:
A method for attempting to resuscitate a heart, comprising:
An apparatus for enabling testing of sterile disposable internal defibrillator paddles, comprising:
An apparatus comprising:
An apparatus comprising:
An apparatus comprising:
An apparatus, comprising:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.
From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.
Backward citations are indexed for grants only.
For implantation or insertion into the body, e.g. heart electrode: epicardial electrode systems; Endocardial electrodes piercing the pericardium
For stimulation: arrangements in connection with the implantation of stimulators
Transvascular endocardial electrode systems: specially adapted for defibrillation or cardioversion
Arrangements in connection with the implantation of stimulators: means for testing medical devices within the package prior to implantation
Term end not estimated
During open-heart surgery, a pair of internal defibrillation paddles is used to restart the patient's heart. Each internal defibrillation paddle comprises a handle attached to a shaft attached to a spoon electrode. The paddle handles are held by a surgeon while the spoon electrodes are inserted into the patient's chest and placed in direct contact with the myocardium (heart muscle). An electric discharge is passed from one spoon electrode through the patient's heart to a second spoon electrode.
Prior to use, paddle electrodes must be sterilized to eliminate patient infection. Modern sterilization methods use heat or chemical agents, such as ethylene oxide. The methods and materials used degrade the paddle materials limiting their useful life. Most manufacturers specify a maximum service life for paddles, usually in the range of 50-100 sterilization cycles. However, there is no convenient mechanism for users to measure and track the number of sterilization cycles a paddle experiences. Therefore, there is no easy way to determine if the service life of the paddles has been exceeded.
Sterilization can cause two problems. First, the process is expensive and often uses environmentally unfriendly materials. Second, it is destructive and the expensive reusable paddles must be replaces periodically. Furthermore, it is difficult to pass the cost of the paddle electrodes to the patient because the actual service life is indeterminate.
FIG. 1 is a drawing illustrating prior art paddles;
FIG. 2 is a drawing illustrating disposable paddles, according to one embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 3 is a drawing illustrating a package comprising disposable paddles, according to one embodiment of the present invention;
Reference will be now made in detail to the present preferred embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to the like elements throughout.
The present invention provides for disposable internal defibrillator paddles (“paddles”). Disposable paddles are preferable to standard reusable paddles in that no cleaning or re-sterilization is needed. Further, the present invention provides for sterile testing paddles, which do not compromise the sterility of the package. An electric charge can be placed on connectors located outside of the package, yet if the paddles operate properly, a visual indication will result.
FIG. 1 is a drawing illustrating prior art internal paddles. The paddles pictured are not disposable, nor are they specially packaged. The paddle comprises a handle 100 attached to a shaft 101 attached to a spoon electrode 102. Since theses paddle are not disposable, the spoon 102 must be rigid, and not capable of being shaped. A wire 104 should be connected to a power source. Paddles like this are used in pairs, with an electric current generated between them to help start a patient's heart.