US 2006/0142810 A1 · Method of detecting when electrode pads have been handled or removed from their package

Abstract

Handling or removal of a pair of pre-connected defibrillator electrode pads from their package, or a compartment in the defibrillator, is detected in order to effectively time the issuance of prompts to guide the user. Detection occurs when an impedance level between the electrode pads varies sufficiently over time to indicate occurrence of the handling or removal event. The pads are preferably configured to leverage variability in the impedance that results from bending of pads during handling or removal.

Claims16

Dependent claims

An apparatus for detecting at least one of handling of electrodes and removing of the electrodes from a package comprising:

a pair of electrodes suitable for attachment to a patient and each including a conductor for sensing a patient electrical characteristic or delivering electricity to a patient;
an impedance element included with at least one of the electrodes which varies when an electrode is flexed or bent,
a current delivery circuit, coupled to the electrodes, which causes current to flow through the impedance element;
a monitoring circuit coupled to the impedance element for monitoring a magnitude of an electrical characteristic resulting from the flow of current through the impedance element,
wherein an occurrence of at least one of handling and removing of the electrodes is identified by the variation of the impedance of the impedance element.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Method of detecting when electrode pads have been handled or removed from their package

Life of this patent

Method of detecting when electrode pads have been handled or removed from their package

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims16