CPR chest compression monitor and method of use

A method for facilitating the effective administration of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) using a compression monitor, said method comprising:

• measuring, using an accelerometer, an acceleration signal of the compression monitor during chest compressions;
• converting, using a processor electrically connected to the accelerometer, the acceleration signal into a linear displacement signal indicative of the displacement of a CPR recipient's chest caused by CPR, wherein the linear displacement signal is determined solely from the acceleration signal;
• comparing, using the processor, the linear displacement signal to a set range;
• and
• signaling, using a signaling mechanism operably connected to the processor, when the linear displacement signal is within the set range.

A system for facilitating the effective administration of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), said system comprising:

• an accelerometer for producing an acceleration signal indicative of the displacement of a CPR recipient's chest, wherein the displacement is determined solely from the acceleration signal;
• a tilt compensator, operably connected to the accelerometer, comprising a tilt sensor mechanism for outputting a tilt compensation signal indicative of the extent of tilt of the accelerometer;
• and
• a signaling mechanism, operably connected to the tilt compensation signal, for indicating when the tilt compensation signal is within the desired range.

A method for facilitating the effective administration of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) on a patient by using a compression monitor to detect the depth of chest compressions while performing chest compressions and while the patient and the compression monitor are also subject to accelerations caused by forces other than those created by the administration of CPR, said method comprising the steps of:

• providing a compression monitor comprising an accelerometer, a microprocessor operably connected to the accelerometer, said microprocessor programmed to convert the acceleration signal into a distance value indicative of the displacement of the CPR recipient's chest caused by CPR and programmed to compare the distance value to a set range, and a signaling mechanism operably connected to the microprocessor, said signaling mechanism for indicating when the distance value is within the desired range;
• measuring, using the accelerometer, an acceleration signal generated by the compression monitor during chest compressions;
• converting, using the processor, the acceleration signal into a chest compression displacement signal corresponding to the distance the chest is compressed by the administration of CPR;
• wherein the processor is programmed to account for the effects, on the chest compression displacement signal, of accelerations that are caused by forces other than those created by the administration of CPR, whereby the processor is capable of determining the chest compression displacement signal by processing only the acceleration signal;
• comparing, using the processor, the chest compression displacement signal to a set range;
• and
• signaling, using the signaling mechanism, when the chest compression displacement signal is within the set range.