WO2012035129A2

WO2012035129A2 - Manikin with cpr hand position detection

Info

Publication number: WO2012035129A2
Application number: PCT/EP2011/066067
Authority: WO
Inventors: Helge Fossan
Original assignee: Laerdal Medical As
Priority date: 2010-09-17
Filing date: 2011-09-16
Publication date: 2012-03-22
Also published as: WO2012035129A3

Abstract

The invention provides a manikin for training of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) by applying compressions to a chest of the manikin, distinctive in that the chest comprises at least one area or position having sensors for measuring applied force or equivalent arranged, the area or position of said sensor arrangement in substance coincide with or encompass a correct area or position for applying said compressions, the sensor arrangement is operatively connected to a printed circuit board assembly (PCBA) or a card or control device of different type, so as to provide detection of hand position relative to the correct area or point for compression.

Description

MANIKIN WITH CPR HAND POSITION DETECTION Field of the invention

The present invention relates to health and saving of lives. More specifically, the invention relates to a manikin for training persons in life saving first aid.

Background of the invention and prior art

Manikins for training persons in life saving first aid are well known. Some of the best known manikins have been developed and are sold by the applicant of the present invention. Description and illustrations of some recent manikins can be found in the patent publications WO 2009088305, WO 2009088303, US

2007264621 , WO 2007129908 and WO 2004/100107.

Manikins are typically used for training of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) by applying chest compressions and mouth-to-mouth ventilation. Quality of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), defined as chest compressions and ventilations, is essential for the outcome of cardiac arrest. Gallagher, Van Hoeyweghen and Wik, (Gallagher et al; JAMA 1995 Dec 27;274(24): 1922-5 . Van Hoeyweghen et al; Resuscitation 1993 Aug; 26(1 ):47-52; Wik L, et al Resuscitation" 1994;28: 195-203) respectively, show that good quality CPR, performed by bystanders prior to the arrival of the ambulance personnel, can affect survival with a factor 3 - 4. But unfortunately, CPR is most often delivered with less than optimal quality, even by health care professionals according to a recent study published in JAMA (Wik et al. Quality of Cardiopulmonary

Resuscitation During Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest. Jama, January 19, 2005 - Vol 293, No 3). The most common failures are: Chest compressions are not delivered, ventilations are not delivered, chest compression depth is too shallow, chest compression rate is too high or too low, ventilation rate is too high or too low, or inflation time is too fast. The 2005 international consensus on science, published in Resuscitation, volume 67, 2005 express in detail how CPR should be delivered in order to be effective. Chest compression guidelines are uniform for all adult and older child patients: Depth should be at least 4-5 cm, rate should be at least 100/min, and rescuers should release pressure fully between compressions.

However, incorrect hand position and thereby incorrect direction and position of exerted force may reduce the success rate of CPR dramatically, and applying compressions to the stomach can be a critical mistake.

Currently, the technology for correct hand position is visible marking on the manikin, mechanical monitoring systems (Ambu Man) and electronic systems, typically including a single indicator lamp indicating wrong hand position.

However, there is no known manikin that by simple, energy effective,

inexpensive and reliable means provides guidance as to correct hand

positioning for compression when performing CPR. Accordingly, a demand exists for such manikin. Further, a demand also exists for a manikin having a simple, energy effective, inexpensive and reliable means for measuring force for compression when performing CPR. Currently, applied force on the chest of the manikin for compression is measured by accelerometers, piezoelectric devices, load cells, strain gauges or on/off switches reacting on displacement. Also, a demand exists for an alternative manikin having a simple, energy effective, inexpensive and reliable on/off switch that is actuated when commencing compression for CPR.

The objective of the present invention is to provide such manikin.

Summary of the invention

To this end, the invention provides a manikin for training of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) by applying compressions to a chest of the manikin. The manikin is distinctive in that the chest comprises at least one area or position having sensors for measuring applied force or equivalent arranged, the area or position of said sensor arrangement in substance coincide with or encompass a correct area or position for applying said compressions, the sensor arrangement is operatively connected to a printed circuit board assembly (PCBA) or a card or control device of different type, so as to provide detection of hand position relative to the correct area or point for compression.

Preferably the chest area comprises at least three positions having sensors arranged, such as four positions, the positions are spaced apart in order to in substance encompass a correct area or point for applying compressions. For most embodiments the sensors are arranged on or over a printed circuit board (PCB), at least covering the correct area for applying pressure, under a relatively soft skin-like layer. However, in a preferable embodiment, the sensors are arranged between two rigid structures, such as rigid plates. This

embodiment is preferable if the sensors are arranged outside the area for typical positioning of the hand. Errors due to bending or tilting, or no sensing for sensors not arranged below the hand position under a soft top layer, all become less relevant, and accurate position sensing and resulting guidance will be available with fewer positions having sensors arranged. Rigid means rigid enough to allow the compression force to act significantly on sensor not directly under the point of compression, allowing position of compression to be calculated based on measurements from several sensors. It is obligatory that the sensor arrangement is operatively connected to a printed circuit board assembly (PCBA) or a card or control device of different type, so as to provide detection of hand position relative to the correct area or point for compression. Preferable additional features include an audible, visible, optical or electronic signal or alarm, preferably including guidance or status with respect to hand position, and preferably also so as to provide measurement of force or pressure exerted for compression, preferably including an audible, visible, optical or electronic signal or alarm, providing guidance or status with respect to force or pressure, preferably including range of exerted force and extreme values of exerted force, including leaning, i.e. not releasing the pressure between compressions, and including pushing too little or too hard, and including the rate of compressions, and the sensors preferably also have function as a on-off switch actuated by exerting pressure on the chest area. The sensors are chosen amongst any force sensors or equivalent having size and characteristic properties making them feasible for the purpose. This comprises inter alia many embodiments of force gauges, load cells, strain sensors, accelerometers, piezoelectric devices, capacitive devices, inductive devices and quantum tunnelling bead sensors. Most preferably the sensors are quantum tunnelling bead sensors. Quantum tunnelling beads are previously known. They are near perfectly insulated switches that can be connected by pressure. The resistance depends on exerted pressure on the beads, the dependency is exponential, and these characteristics can be used for measuring position, force and for switching. For more information on quantum tunnelling beads, reference is made to for example http://www.peratech.com/

The invention also provides a method of building a manikin having means for hand position detection. The method is distinctive by arranging sensors for measuring applied force or equivalent in or on the chest area of the manikin in at least one position or area, the position in substance coincide with or encompass a correct area or point for applying CPR compressions, and connecting the sensor arrangement operatively to a printed circuit board assembly (PCBA) or a card or control device of different type, so as to provide detection of hand position relative to the correct area or point for compression based on measurements by the sensor arrangement.

The method preferably comprises arranging quantum tunnelling beads in or on the chest area of the manikin in at least three positions, and including means for calculating the hand position by assuming the resultant point of compression is distributed as force to the positions with quantum tunnelling beads dependent on distance between said point and said positions, and also including means for summing up the measured force values at the quantum tunnelling bead positions in order to calculate exerted force for compression.

The invention also provides use of sensors for measuring applied force or equivalent in or on the chest area of a manikin, for detecting hand position when exerting compression force during CPR, and preferably also for measuring exerted force or equivalent during CPR, preferably including extreme values, range and rate and preferably also as a compression-actuated on-off switch. The sensors are preferably quantum tunnelling beads sensors.

The sensors, such as quantum tunnelling beads sensors, can preferably be arranged as a grid of sensors, evenly or unevenly distributed, which provides in substance direct reading of hand position based on measurements from the positions with sensors arranged. With the term positions it is in this context meant points or small areas for which the resultant force can be considered as exerted at a point. At least three such positions with sensors are preferably arranged so that the correct area of exerting force, the sternum, is in substance encompassed. The sensors are preferably arranged in at least four positions, for example at four, five, six or more points along a circle or a geometrical shape in substance encompassing or encircling the correct area or point of exerting pressure, allowing area for other sensors and equipment on a printed circuit board. The correct point on a manikin for exerting pressure is a chosen point corresponding to a chosen centre point of the sternum of a human. By having the positions in substance to encompass the correct area or point for compression, most or all of the correct area is within said positions, and the positions are not in line, which makes it possible to calculate the hand position correctly based on signals from the sensor positions. Preferably all sensor positions are outside the correct area for compression, symmetrically distributed around said area. Preferably sensors are arranged also over the stomach, in order to better provide measurement and preferably also warning of such incorrect and possibly dangerous hand position for CPR compressions, and guidance on correction.

The manikin of the invention preferably comprises rigid elements, such as rigid plates, arranged at least over the chest area, and sensors, such as quantum tunnelling beads, arranged between the rigid elements in order to provide measurements of hand position and guiding not only over the correct area for CPR but also over incorrect and possibly dangerous areas such as the stomach. Thereby not only guiding of correct CPR but also warning against and guiding on how to avoid incorrect CPR are provided. Preferably also force, force range, leaning and frequency of compressions are included for measurements and guiding. As explained for other embodiments, the sensors can be arranged over a smaller area than the full area for correct CPR and dangerous CPR, or outside but at least in part around the area correct for CPR, and in few

positions, due to the arrangement between more or less rigid structures, such as relative stiff polymer plates or one plate over a relatively stiff substructure, providing force on sensors also relatively far away from the point or area of compression. If the upper rigid structure or plate only cover the area having bones naturally in the chest area, additional sensors can be arranged over the dangerous area or an elastic or more or less rigid connection be arranged between the lower rib bones areas in order to provide a distinctive sensor signal signature when CPR incorrectly is applied at a dangerous area or position such as the celiac plexus or solar plexus. Great precision for hand position detection when pressing far outside the correct area may not be required, it may anyway be sufficient for providing a sensible signal or message providing guidance to the practitioner, such as an audible message or an arrow of light indicators. However, potentially harmful positions, such as the stomach, require certainty for hand position detection and preferably also activating an alarm and guidance. Means for providing the above-mentioned functionality is preferably included in the manikin of the invention, by arranging sensors and means for warning and guidance

accordingly. Figures

The invention is illustrated by three figures, of which

Figure 1 illustrates a manikin of the invention,

Figure 2 illustrates a printed circuit board of the manikin of Fig. 1 , and

Figure 3 is a cross section of the printed circuit board of Fig. 2.

Detailed description

Figure 1 illustrates a manikin of the invention, with a printed circuit board (PCB) arranged in or on a chest plate. Sensors are arranged at four positions encompassing the central sternum area, the correct area for exerting pressure when undertaking CPR.

Figure 2 illustrates the printed circuit board of the manikin of Fig. 1 in more detail. More specifically, Figure 2 figure illustrates a chest plate 1 , onto which a printed circuit board (PCB) 2 is arranged. Further, sensors 3 are arranged on the PCB 2. The sensors 3 are arranged or printed on the PCB in positions encompassing the centre or optimal point of the sternum for exerting pressure. Said positions are symmetrically arranged about said optimal point in the illustrated embodiment.

Figure 3 is a cross section of the PCB of Figure 2, but more detailed as further elements are included. More specifically, the chest plate 1 , the PCB 2 and sensors 3 are illustrated. However, a compression plate 4, transferring force to the sensors, are arranged on top of the sensors and PCB, and additionally, the manikin chest skin 5 is illustrated.

The manikin, the method and the use of the invention may incorporate any features as described or illustrated in this document and on the drawings, in any operative combination, which combinations are a part of the invention.

Claims

1.

Manikin for training of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) by applying compressions to a chest of the manikin,

cha racte ri sed i n that the chest comprises at least one area or position having sensors for measuring applied force or equivalent arranged, the area or position of said sensor arrangement in substance coincide with or encompass a correct area or position for applying said compressions, the sensor arrangement is operatively connected to a printed circuit board assembly (PCBA) or a card or control device of different type, so as to provide detection of hand position relative to the correct area or point for compression.

2.

Manikin according to claim 1, cha racte ri sed i n that the chest area comprises at least three positions having sensors arranged, the positions are spaced apart in order to in substance encompass a correct area or point for applying compressions.

3.

Manikin according to claim 1 or 2, cha racte ri sed i n that the sensors are arranged between two rigid structures, such as rigid plates .

4.

Manikin according to one of claims 1-3, ch aracte ri sed i n that the manikin comprises rigid elements, such as rigid plates, arranged at least over the chest area, and sensors, such as quantum tunnelling beads, arranged between the rigid elements in order to provide measurements of hand position and guiding not only over the correct area for CPR but also over incorrect and possibly dangerous areas such as the stomach.

5.

Manikin according to one of claims 1-4, ch aracte ri sed i n that the sensor arrangement is operatively connected to a printed circuit board assembly (PCBA) or a card or control device of different type, so as to provide detection of hand position relative to the correct area or point for compression and an audible, visible, optical or electronic signal or alarm, preferably including guidance or status with respect to hand position, and preferably also so as to provide measurement of force or pressure exerted for compression, preferably including an audible, visible, optical or electronic signal or alarm, providing guidance or status with respect to force or pressure, including range of exerted force and extreme values of exerted force, including leaning, i.e. not releasing the pressure between compressions, and including pushing too little or too hard, and including the rate of compressions, the sensors preferably also have function as a on-off switch actuated by exerting pressure on the chest area.

6.

Manikin according to claim 1 -5, c h a r a c t e r i s e d i n that the sensors are chosen amongst force gauges, load cells, strain sensors, accelerometers and quantum tunnelling bead sensors, most preferably the sensors are quantum tunnelling bead sensors.

7.

Method of building a manikin having means for hand position detection, c h a r a c t e r i s e d b y arranging sensors for measuring applied force or equivalent in or on the chest area of the manikin in at least one position or area, the position in substance coincide with or encompass a correct area or point for applying CPR compressions, and connecting the sensor arrangement operatively to a printed circuit board assembly (PCBA) or a card or control device of different type, so as to provide detection of hand position relative to the correct area or point for compression based on measurements by the sensor arrangement.

8.

Method according to claim 7, c h a r a c t e r i s e d b y arranging quantum tunnelling beads in the chest area of the manikin in at least three positions, and including means for calculating the hand position by assuming the resultant point of compression is distributed as force to the positions with quantum tunnelling beads dependent on distance between said point and said positions, and also including means for summing up the measured force values at the quantum tunnelling bead positions in order to calculate exerted force for compression.

9.

Use of sensors for measuring applied force or equivalent in or on the chest area of a manikin, for detecting hand position when exerting compression force during CPR, and preferably also for measuring exerted force or equivalent during CPR, including extreme values, range and rate and preferably also as a compression-actuated on-off switch.

10.

Use according to claim 9, for which the sensors are quantum tunnelling beads sensors.