Method and article for storing an automatic external defibrillator for use without a prescription

Abstract

A method and article for storing an automatic external defibrillator for use without a prescription are described. The hermetically sealed electrode pads of the OTC AED are electrically coupled to the OTC AED base unit where they are constantly accessible to self-test circuitry inside the base unit for periodic, automatic self-test. In one embodiment the self-test is designed to determine whether the conductive gel of the electrode pads has dried out. In another embodiment self-test circuitry also tests the battery while the OTC AED is being stored prior to use.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.