US 8,527,044 B2Granted

User interface method and apparatus for a medical device

AssigneePhysio-Control, Inc.

InventorsD. Craig Edwards, Kelly J. Locke, Mark Gausman, Alex Otman, Richard C. Nova, Shawn R. Bertagnole

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Abstract

A user interface method and apparatus is described for use with a defibrillator (100) such as an automated external defibrillator (AED). The user interface comprises a plurality of layered user interface components which become available to the operator of the defibrillator (100) as they become necessary or appropriate during the operation of the defibrillator (100) and treatment of the patient. In one embodiment, the layered user interface components comprise an on/off actuator (108), a lid (104), an electrode package (120) containing defibrillation electrodes (142, 144), and a shock key (170), as well as accompanying visual and aural instructions for operating the defibrillator (100) and for treating the patient.

Claims26

Dependent claims

An external defibrillator comprising:

a housing;
a lid coupled to the housing, the lid movable between a closed position in which the lid covers at least a portion of a surface of the housing and an open position;
an electrode package located over the surface of the housing and beneath the lid when the lid is in the closed position, wherein the electrode package remains in its position over the surface of the housing while the lid is moved into the open position and when the lid is in the open position until the electrode package is removed from its position over surface of the housing by an operator, and wherein the electrode package is not held against a lower surface of the lid, the electrode package including a handle comprising an opening and actuatable by the operator by slipping at least one finger through the opening to open the electrode package;
and
an initiator useable by the operator to initiate delivery of therapy to a patient by the defibrillator, the initiator located on the surface of the housing, wherein the initiator is located beneath the electrode package when the electrode package remains in its position over the surface of the housing when the lid is in the open position,
wherein the electrode package becomes accessible by the operator upon moving the lid into the open position, and the initiator is accessible by the operator only upon removing the electrode package from its position over the surface of the housing.

3 more elements

An external defibrillator comprising:

a housing;
a lid coupled to the housing, the lid movable between a closed position in which the lid covers at least a portion of a surface of the housing and an open position;
means for connecting the defibrillator to the patient located over the surface of the housing and beneath the lid when the lid is in the closed position, wherein the means for connecting the defibrillator remains in its position over the surface of the housing while the lid is moved into the open position and when the lid is in the open position until the means for connecting the defibrillator is removed from its position over the surface of the housing by an operator, wherein the means for connecting the defibrillator is contained within a package that includes a handle that has an opening, the handle actuatable by the operator by slipping at least one finger through the opening to open the package and access the means for connecting the defibrillator, and wherein the means for connecting the defibrillator is not held against a lower surface of the lid;
and
means useable by the operator for initiating delivery of therapy to a patient by the defibrillator, the initiating means located on the surface of the housing, wherein the initiating means is located beneath the electrode package when the connecting means remains in its position over the surface of the housing when the lid is in the open position,
wherein the connecting means becomes accessible by the operator upon moving the lid into the open position, and the initiating means is accessible by the operator only upon removing the connecting means from its position over the surface of the housing.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.