Chest compression apparatus
OwnerWarren J. Warwick, Leland G. Hanseninventors
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Abstract
A chest compression apparatus for use by patients with cystic fibrosis, the preferred apparatus including an air flow generator component, a pulse frequency control component having a fan blade valve for producing a sinusoidal wave form, an optional pressure control component, and a patient vest. The apparatus can be used to apply sharp compression pulses to the entire thorax via the inflatable vest worn by the patient. The optional modular nature of the present apparatus provides particular benefits in the manufacture and use of the present apparatus. The modular nature, in essence, provides even greater portability since one or more modules can be individually replaced or repaired as needed, thereby lessening the overall cost and inconvenience to the patient.
Claims40
A chest compression apparatus comprising
- a) a mechanism for applying a force to the thoracic region of a person, the mechanism comprising a bladder for receiving a stream of pressurized air, and
- b) a mechanism comprising a motor-driven rotating blade adapted to periodically interrupt the stream of pressurized air to the bladder in order to provide pressure pulses having a substantially sinusoidal wave form that comprises a fast rise sine wave when applied at a frequency of 6 Hz.
A method of making a chest compression apparatus, comprising the steps of providing or combining:
- a) a mechanism for applying a force to the thoracic region of a person, the mechanism comprising a bladder for receiving pressurized air, and
- b) a mechanism comprising a motor-driven rotating blade adapted to periodically interrupt the stream of pressurized air to the bladder, in order to provide pressure pulses having a substantially sinusoidal wave form that comprises a fast rise, sine wave when applied at a frequency of 6 Hz,
- c) and a mechanism for venting the pressurized air from the bladder.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.