WO2012155909A1

WO2012155909A1 - A system and a method of ensuring acute first aid

Info

Publication number: WO2012155909A1
Application number: PCT/DK2012/000059
Authority: WO
Inventors: Per SCHORLING; Henrik Hansen SCHAKOW; Finn Lund HENRIKSEN; Bruno Hansen
Original assignee: Firstaed Aps
Priority date: 2011-05-18
Filing date: 2012-05-18
Publication date: 2012-11-22

Abstract

A method and a system for calling in one or more trained lay rescuers to a patient who needs basic life support, at symptoms which may be related to a cardiac arrest or other acute states, where the patient has A (airway), B (breathing), C (circulation) troubles which require acute medical intervention. The system comprises a server unit (5) which calls in voluntary trained lay rescuers (35) via their mobile telephones (7), who are recorded in the system, and who are present in the local area. These assistants are guided to the alarm position and to the nearest AED (9, 41), respectively. The health staff at the AMC is able to contact one of the trained lay rescuers telephonically via the system, until ambulance/medical aid arrives. The system and the method may moreover comprise a user module comprising a sensor unit, which e.g. detects heart rate and passes these on to a user unit which can transmit alarm signals automatically, if an abnormal heart rate is detected. Further, a server unit, a user module, an assistant unit, an AMC unit and a cabinet for storing AEDs (9) are described, which cabinets may be unlocked by a code, which is sent directly to an electronic locking circuit in the cabinet (20), or by a code which is entered by means of a keyboard on the cabinet (20), and is sent via the server (5) to an assistant unit in a message, e.g., an SMS, an MMS or a push message, or available via touching a touch screen.

Description

A system and a method of ensuring acute first aid

The invention relates to a method of calling in one or more assistants to a person who is in need of first aid, at symptoms which may be related to a cardiac arrest or other acute medical states, where the patient has A (airway), B (breathing), C (circulation) troubles which require acute medical intervention.

The invention moreover relates to a system for calling in one or more assistants to a person who is in need of first aid at the above-mentioned symptoms.

The invention also relates to a cabinet for use in the method and/or in a system according to the invention, which is used for storing an automatic external defibrillator (AED), and which contains a compartment for storing the AED and a door for shielding the compartment.

Finally, the invention relates to a server unit, a communications unit for use at an Acute Medical Centre (AMC), an assistant unit and a user module, all of which are useful in the system according to the invention, as well as in the performance of the method according to the invention.

The prior art

Known in the art are various systems for wireless monitoring of heart rate, pulse or the like, where an alarm is given if there are indications that the user has a heart attack or the like.

KR 2010077942 A describes a wireless system for monitoring the heart rate. A sensor in a wrist watch or the like measures the rate of the heart and transfers data to a mobile phone, which transmits an alarm signal to an alarm centre if the heart rate changes or stops. The alarm centre locates the position of the cardiac patient by means of the position of the phone and sees to it that the patient is saved.

US 2008214903 A1 describes a wireless system for monitoring e.g. epilepsy or cardiac patients. One or more sensors measure e.g. the rate of the heart and transfer data to a mobile phone or similar portable unit, which transmits an alarm signal and a position from an optionally incorporated GPS unit in the mobile phone, whereby a rescue team may be guided to the patient. CN 101036577 A describes a wireless system for monitoring the heart rate. One or more sensors in a wrist watch or the like measure e.g. the heart rate and transmit an alarm signal and a position from an optionally incorporated GPS unit, if the user's heart rate is outside the normal range. The signal is transmitted to the closest hospital, which can rapidly arrive at the location and save the cardiac patient's life.

CN 101617939 A describes a wireless system for monitoring persons. The system consists of a portable unit containing a medical sensor, a GPS module and a data transmission unit, which transmits data from the sensor to a server. The server is also capable of receiving the position of the unit and thereby of the user from the GPS module. The position of the user of the portable unit may be transmitted directly to the mobile phone of an assistant, who can thus get to the user rapidly, if so required, e.g. at a critical moment. It is not mentioned that the system is particularly suitable for monitoring cardiac patients. Thus, the user of this system depends on the associated assistant being present in the vicinity of the user in order to be able to provide assistance, when so needed.

CN 201393585 Y describes a belt having one or more incorporated sensors, e.g. a heart rate meter/pulse meter which monitors the user. The belt also contains a GPS tracker which is capable of locating the patient, as well as an alarm unit. The belt may be used e.g. in connection with the measurement of heart rate/pulse at home and may be used when rescuing patients suffering from an acute condition.

CN 2609307 Y describes a mobile phone with monitoring of the heart rate. The phone has an incorporated sensor for measuring the heart rate and is arranged in the vicinity of the chest. The signals from the sensor are processed in the mobile phone, which is capable of automatically giving an alarm so that the patient may be treated rapidly. However, it is not described to which location the alarm is passed on.

All of these systems, however, are vitiated by one or more drawbacks, including particularly that the necessary first aid depends on when the ambulance or medical aid can be present. In case of sparsely populated areas and/or areas having a long or just medium-long turn-out time for ambulances/acute medical aid, it will frequently take so long before the cardiac patient receives the necessary first aid, that the cardiac patient does not survive or risks permanent injury.

In addition, these systems just ensure that users, having sensor-based user units can get assistance. In connection with an alarm to an alarm centre, there is no possibility of calling in voluntary assistants who can get to the sick person more rapidly than an ambulance and/or an emergency doctor, which may e.g. be the case in certain rural areas or on islands not linked by bridges. In these areas, local voluntary first aid assistants can frequently get to the sick person more rapidly than an ambulance and/or an emergency doctor. In addition, these known systems are not able to display positions of the nearest accessible AEDs for the assistant/assistants. This may be of paramount importance to the suffering person, since it may involve loss of vital minutes, if the assistant/assistants must spend considerable time on locating an accessible AED, or perhaps cannot locate an AED. European patent application EP 2 218 478 A1 aims at solving those problems by providing a method and a system in which a patient suffering from cardiac disease carries a surveillance device on his body. The surveillance device is equipped with a radio and a GPS function. In case the surveillance device detects a malfunction of the patient's heart the device will issue an alarm signal to an alarm central. In response to the alarm signal the alarm central will send at least one assistant such as a paramedical to the position of the cardiac patient in accordance with the GPS signals. Moreover, the assistant will be provided with information about AEDs which are closest to the position of the patient.

Although the method and the system disclosed in the European patent application offers many good applications for cardiac patients the method and the system are, however, depending on an alarm signal from a surveillance device attached to the patient's body. Thus, to benefit from the method and the system you have to be a registered cardiac patient and carry a surveillance device. The object of the invention

The object of the present invention is to provide an improvement to the existing systems for providing assistance to a person suffering a cardiac arrest. One further object of the present invention is to provide a method and a system which may be applied for any patient suffering from a cardiac arrest. The patient need not being registered as a cardiac patient or carrying any monitoring devices.

A further object is to ensure that at least one and up to five trained voluntary lay rescuers may be called in rapidly, who can initiate the life-saving basic life support in the form of chest compressions, rescue breaths and similar first aid to patients having a cardiac arrest or other acute medical states, where the patient has A (airway), B (breathing), C (circulation) troubles which require acute medical intervention. The trained lay rescuers may initiate the resuscitation on the patient, while yet another trained lay rescuer is notified and requested to pick up an AED and bring it the patient as soon as possible.

In addition to the above-mentioned cardiac arrest, the method and the system are also suitable for use for other emergency conditions which may include hypoglycaemia, septic/cardiogenic/anaphylactic shock, and traffic accidents.

The system and the method also involves recording of positions of AEDs in a database, thereby making it possible to pass on information on positions of the nearest accessible AEDs to one or more of the assistants who are called in. Hereby, one of the assistants may pick up an AED before he or she arrives at the patient. This enhances the likelihood of receiving the necessary first aid in time, thereby significantly enhancing the probability of surviving without suffering permanent injury.

Consequently, the present invention connects the AMC, the patient, the trained lay rescuers and the AEDs. The location of the patient is registered in a server unit whereafter the AMC select the alarm on the communication units, where after the following steps are executed: a) identifying in a database a number of lay rescuers each carrying an assistant unit which are present within a predetermined distance from the location of the patient, b) transmitting a request for assistance to N assistant units among the identified assistant units, c) awaiting acceptance from X assistant units within a predetermined time, and if only Y < X acceptances have been received within the predetermined time, transmitting requests to further N assistant units or at least X-Y assistant units, d) optionally repeating step c) until X acceptances have been received; e) passing on the position of the patient to the X assistant units from which acceptance of the request for assistance have been received, f) identifying, in a database, the position of AEDs which are located nearest the patient and/or nearest one or more trained lay rescuers units

g) communicating the positions of the AEDs to the assistant units , and h) sending a request to at least one of the X assistant units to pick up an AED and bringing the AED to the location of the patient.

When the alarm central receives an alarm such as a telephone call requesting help to a patient with cardiac arrest the acute medical coordination function (AMC) will enter the data into communication units connected with the server unit. The position of the patient may be entered by marking the position on a touch screen showing a map, or the position or address of the patient may be registered by other well-known methods. The position may easily be corrected subsequently if required, e.g. in the case the first call to the alarm central provided inaccurate information. When the acute medical coordination function (AMC) has initiated the method according to the invention, the server unit will instantly start performing the following steps based on the information about the position of the patient.

Indentifying a predetermined number of trained lay rescuers in the vicinity of the patient, which may be within a radius of e.g. 1 to 10 km from the position of the patient.

Each trained lay rescuer is equipped with an assistant unit which may simply be a smartphone, and the assistant positions in respect of the patient may be determined on basis of a GPS signal or radio signal from the smartphone. The smartphone has an installed program or app that will identify the assistant in accordance with the method.

Moreover the app also provides a message on the screen, e.g. accompanied by a sound or alert signal, requesting the user of the phone, i.e. the trained lay rescuer to assist the patient. The message on the screen will also allow the trained lay rescuer to accept or refuse the request and the app will effect that the answer is sent to the server unit. When the server unit has received acceptance from at least two trained lay rescuers near the patient, the server unit will according to method instruct one of the trained lay rescuers to go directly to the patient and initiate first aid, such as cardiac compressions and rescue breaths. Another trained lay rescuer is instructed to go for an AED and bring it to the patient. In the case that only one trained lay rescuer has accepted after a predetermined time, the trained lay rescuers is instructed to go and pick an AED, and then go to the patient and initiate first aid. Information about the patient position will be sent to the assistants who have accepted to provide help.

In case the server unit does not receive X acceptances within a predetermined time, e.g. 15 seconds the method will send request to further trained lay rescuers. In case the server unit receives more than X acceptances the server unit will select X assistants among the ones who have accepted the request for assistance, who are closest to the patient.

During the process the method will affect the server unit, to send out an instruction to all assistant units, to start up GPS, and give a more accurate position. At the same time the method will affect the server unit to search for the position of AEDs which are located nearest to the patient and/or nearest to one or more assistant units. The search is performed in a database in which information about the AEDs are stored.

The information about the nearest AED will be sent to the trained lay rescuer which is instructed to pick up the AED and bring it to the patient.

Consequently, the invention provides a very efficient method of bringing basic life support and an AED to a patient due to the fact that a least one trained lay rescuer is send directly to the patient to initiate cardiac compressions etc. and another trained lay rescuers is send to pick up an AED and bring it to the patient as fast as possible.

According to the method it should be possible to have the trained lay rescuers on their way in less than one minute after the alarm call and they should reach the patient within five minutes from the alarm call. The time factor is important as the chance of survival is best within five minutes after a cardiac arrest.

To ensure that sufficient numbers of acceptances are received, it is preferred to send the request to at least 5 assistant units, and it has been found that N should be in the range of 5 to 15 preferably in the range of 7 to 11. A suitable number of assistant units to send requests have appeared to be 9.

As mentioned at least one trained lay rescuer is requested to provide assistance to the patient and X should be in the range of 1 to 5. A convenient number of trained lay rescuers is 3. Thus 2 trained lay rescuers are instructed to go directly to the patient to initiate first aid and 1 trained lay rescuer is instructed to pick up an AED and bring it to the patient.

Although the assistant unit may be selected among several devices such as a smartphone, a PDA, a radio sender/receiver, a tablet, a computer, etc, it is however preferred that the assistant unit is a smartphone. A large number of people use and carry smartphones today, and it is very easy to download and install the program or app required to participate as a trained lay rescuer in the method according to the invention on a smartphone, after the trained lay rescuer has received an invitation from the server unit. The program or app will perform the steps on the assistant unit or smartphone as described above. The program or app may also comprise a function that allows the user to inform the server unit that the user is unable to participate in the method, e.g. for a limited period of time such as 24 hours.

According to the method, the predetermined distance from the location of the patient is increased if less than N assistant units can be identified within the preset predetermined distance. Thus, the method may start up making a circular area with a radius of e.g. 1 km on a map and if fewer than N assistant units can be identified within the radius, a new radius will be set to e.g. 1.5 km. If the new area does not result in identification of sufficient trained lay rescuers, yet another radius is set, e.g. to 2.0 km. However the first predetermined distance may also be set to e.g. 5 km depending on the demographic conditions in the area. Consequently the predetermined distance from the location of the patient is increased until at least N assistant units can be identified within the predetermined distance. Preferably the predetermined distance is increased stepwise as explained above.

The positions of the assistant units are preferably registered via the GPS system. However, in an embodiment of the method the position of the assistant units may alternatively or in combination with the GPS system be registered via radio signals, e.g. as a triangular measurement of a radio signal from a phone between three radio masts. This embodiment may save power on the phone as such triangular measurements require less power than use of the GPS system.

In a further embodiment the assistant units check their positions in response to a signal from the acute server unit in the medical coordination function centre. Thus, the position of the assistant unit may be checked mainly by triangular measurements of the radio signal, whereas the GPS system is only used by request.

For the purpose of registering the time spent from an alarm is received till the assistant has reached the patient, the method offers an option wherein the time passing from a assistant unit has sent an acceptance to the assistant unit has reached the location of the patient is registered, preferably by use of the GPS signal.

As previously mentioned, an embodiment of the method may comprise the further step, subsequent to step e) requesting at least one of the X assistant units to go to the location of the patient. Thus, at least one trained lay rescuers will be instructed to go instantly to the patient to initiate resuscitation and required treatment.

The invention also relates to a system for assisting an acute medical coordination function centre (AMC centre) to bring an AED to a patient in a situation in which the acute medical coordination function centre receives an alarm about the patient having symptoms which may require an AED, the system comprises at least a server unit and at least N assistant units, wherein the server unit is adapted for:

storing information about the location of the patient,

storing information about the trained lay rescuers and the location of the assistant units, communicating with the assistant units and exchange information about the location of the patient and the positions of the assistant units,

selecting at least X assistant units, where X≤ N, and sending a request for assistance, controlling the number of accepted requests received from the assistant units, and optionally sending requests for assistance to further assistant units,

retrieving information about AED positions from a database, and selecting at least one AED position and communicate the AED position to at least one of the selected assistant units,

wherein the assistant units are adapted for:

providing information about position of the assistant unit to the server unit,

receiving a request for assistance from the server unit,

providing a signal to the trained lay rescuer when assistance is requested,

allowing the assistant to accept or refuse the request, and if the request is accepted sending an acceptance signal to the server unit,

receiving instructions from the server unit in respect of positions of the patient and AEDs.

According to the system N is conveniently in the range of 5 to 15 preferably in the range of 7 to 11 , and preferably X is in the range of 1 to 5. In the system according to the invention the communication between the server unit and the assistant units is based wireless signals, such as radio signals and the positioning of the assistant units is based on GPS signals and/or radio signals. The invention also provides the possibility of establishing a method, wherein a server unit receives an alarm signal, identifies a position of the alarm signal, passes on the alarm signal and/or the position of the alarm signal to a communications unit at an acute medical coordination function (AMC) and then performs one or more of the following acts: identifies a number of assistant units, whose assistant units are present in the vicinity of the position of the patient which has given an alarm,

transmits a request to the assistant units for assistance to the alarm position, passes on the position of the alarm signal to portable assistant units belonging to the trained lay rescuers who have accepted a request for assistance,

identifies, in a database, the position of AEDs which are located in the vicinity of the alarm position of the user unit, position(s) of one or more assistant units and/or along one or more probable routes between the trained lay rescuer's starting position and the alarm position of the user unit, and communicates the positions of these AEDs to the assistant units and/or to a communications unit at the AMC centre.

When the server performs all the acts, and when the positions are updated currently and displayed on the assistant units and the AMC unit, and preferably also on a user unit, it is ensured that health staff at the AMC centre, the assistants and perhaps the user or persons in the vicinity can see on their units where the AEDs and the trained lay rescuers are present relative to the position of the alarm. A user module may advantageously be used, which comprises a sensor unit for detecting heart rate, pulse and/or similar measurable physiological parameters of the user, and wherein the sensor has incorporated therein at least one wireless transmission unit for transferring the measured parameters, as well as a portable user unit for receiving wireless signals from the sensor, said portable user unit containing a processor which is adapted to process the received signals from the sensor unit and generate an alarm signal, if the signals from the sensor units are outside a predetermined range of normal values for the measured parameter, and is simultaneously adapted to pass on information on the alarm to the server. This ensures that a user, who is a cardiac patient, may be monitored everywhere, and that an alarm signal is automatically transmitted to the server unit, if the sensor unit detects an abnormal heart rate. This gives cardiac patients greater security in their daily life, since, thereby, they can expect assistance to arrive more rapidly no matter where they are, if they should be in acute need of first aid in connection with a cardiac arrest or similar acute states, where the patient has A B C (airway) (breathing) (circulation) troubles which require rapid medical intervention.

When the server currently receives positions of the assistant units of trained lay rescuers, health staff at the AMC centre and the assistants may follow the whereabouts of the trained lay rescuers and e.g. have the possibility of evaluating which of the trained lay rescuers will get most quickly to the alarm position. The positions may advantageously be shown on a display in a graphic view in a map function in the assistant units and on a display in the communication units and preferably also on the user unit. Thereby, health staff at the AMC may initiate a call to the assistant unit of a trained lay rescuers called in, by marking an icon for an assistant unit shown on the screen of the communications unit, said call being made via the server or via a mobile phone network. This ensures rapid contact between the AMC and the trained lay rescuer. In addition the call is made via telephone number information from the server, so that no call is made to wrong persons. Finally, the trained lay rescuer is assured of anonymity, as only the trained lay rescuers, who have accepted to participate, can be seen at the AMC central, and by the other users on their devises, so that they can contact each other by tapping the name.

The positions/addresses of trained lay rescuers who just have a fixed line telephone, may be shown on the display in the AMC unit. This ensures that the network of trained lay rescuers may be expanded further, and that such a trained lay rescuer may be called manually if trained lay rescuers are missing. This contributes to ensuring more quickly that the patient receives the necessary basic life support. When the assistant units may show addresses and/or positions of accessible AEDs, a saving of time is achieved, as the trained lay rescuers does not need to look for an AED on his way to the patient. Hereby, the patient receives the vital first aid more quickly.

As the server transmits a code to a plurality of cabinets in which the identified AEDs are disposed, whereby the cabinets with the identified AEDs are unlocked. Alternatively, the server transmits a message, such an SMS, MMS or a push message, with a code to the locks in the cabinets to one or more of the assistant units. This ensures that the cabinets keep the AEDs in a locked cabinet, and it is ensured at the same time that the AEDs are accessible when they are needed. This meets the requirements of the insurance companies with respect to the insurance of the relatively expensive AEDs, without the accessibility of these being impaired. A label with a telephone number which may be called or to which an SMS message may be sent, ensures that a code for unlocking the cabinet may be given, if an AED for a person who is not a user of the system, is needed.

The invention may also provide a system in which a server with a control system is adapted to receive an alarm signal, to pass on the alarm signal and/or a position of the alarm signal to a communications unit at an AMC centre, and then perform one or more of the following acts:

identifying a number of trained lay rescuers whose assistant units are present in the vicinity of the position of the alarm system,

transmitting a request to the assistant units for assistance to the alarm position, - passing on the position of the alarm signal to portable assistant units of trained lay rescuers who have accepted a request for assistance,

that the control system identifies, in a database, positions of AEDs which are located in the vicinity of the alarm position of the user unit, position(s) of one or more assistant units and/or along one or more probable routes between the individual trained lay rescuers' starting position and the alarm position, and communicates the positions of these AEDs to the assistant units and/or to a communications unit at an AMC centre, that the system moreover comprises a communications unit at an AMC centre, which is adapted to receive and display the address and/or position of an alarm signal from a user unit, and that the system moreover comprises a plurality of portable assistant units for a number of assistants.

When the communication of alarm positions, the positions of the assistant units and/or the positions of the AEDs between the units is transmitted and received via the server, a high degree of safety is ensured in the system, which prevents abuse. Also, the anonymity of users and trained lay rescuers is ensured, as the AMC and the other users cannot see sensitive personal information, such as e.g. name or telephone number, since this information is stored in a database on the server. When the information is transmitted and received via the mobile phone network, a simple system useful in most places is achieved.

Further, the object is achieved by a cabinet for use in the method and/or in a system, said cabinet being adapted for storing an AED, which is characterized in that the door and/or walls of the cabinet comprise an electronic locking circuit and a lock, said locking circuit being adapted to receive a code for unlocking the lock prior to the withdrawal of the AED. This ensures, as mentioned above, that the cabinets keep the AEDs in a locked cabinet, and it is ensured at the same time that the AEDs are accessible when they are needed, and, moreover, the requirements of the insurance companies with respect to the storage in a locked cabinet are met. Further, the insulation of the cabinet ensures that most types of AEDs may be stored at temperature conditions which ensure that they work when they are needed.

When the electronic locking circuit receives the code from the server, the cabinets may be unlocked automatically in the area where it is likely that one of the assistants picks up an AED, and when the electronic locking circuit of the cabinet receives the code from a keyboard mounted on the door or walls of the cabinet, as a trained lay rescuer receives a message on his assistant unit concerning the code for the cabinets. When the cabinets are also provided with the above-mentioned label containing information on how to obtain the code for the lock, it is moreover ensured that the AED may be taken out of the normally locked cabinet, if others than users and trained lay rescuers from the system need an AED.

When the cabinet has an incorporated solar cell capable of charging a power source, such as a battery, for the locking circuit, power savings and investment savings are achieved, as it is not necessary to run power lines to each individual cabinet. When the incorporated solar cell of the cabinet charges the battery unit in the AED, the risk of the AED being insufficiently charged when it is needed, is minimized. Plug connections or the wireless charging moreover ensures that there are no obstacles when the AED is to be taken out of the cabinet. When the wireless transmitter-receiver unit in the AED cabinet is also capable of transmitting signals to the electronic locking circuit via the transmitter-receiver unit in the cabinet, it is ensured that the server is capable of receiving a message to the effect that an AED is taken out of the cabinet and is thus no longer accessible. Thereby, the server may mark the AED concerned as "not accessible" in its database, until the AED is again in position in the cabinet.

The cabinet is preferably insulated and contains means for venting in the form of a ventilation channel with passive ventilation or an incorporated ventilator, which ensures a suitable internal climate for the storage of most types of AEDs.

A server unit is employed for use in the above-mentioned method and system for calling in one or more trained lay rescuers, characterized in that the server unit with a control system is adapted to receive an alarm signal, to pass on the alarm signal and/or a position of the alarm signal to a communications unit at an AMC centre, and then perform one or more of the following acts: identifying a number of trained lay rescuers whose assistant units are present in the vicinity of the position of the patient which has sent an alarm, transmitting a request to the assistant units for assistance to the alarm position, passing on the position of the alarm signal to the portable assistant units of trained lay rescuers or assistants who have accepted a request for assistance, that the control system identifies, in a database, the position of AEDs disposed in the vicinity of the alarm position, position(s) of one or more assistant units and/or along one or more probable routes between the individual trained lay rescuers or assistant's starting position and the alarm position of the user unit, and communicates the positions of these AEDs to the assistant units and/or to a communications unit at an AMC centre, and receiving acceptance or refusal of a request for assistance to a user from a plurality of assistant units as well as passing on information on the address and/or position of the transmitted alarm signal to the assistant units which have accepted the request for assistance.

The server unit is preferably arranged such that communication of alarm positions, positions of assistant units and/or positions of the AEDs between the units in the system is transmitted and received via the server (5), which improves the security in the system. Alternatively, in a simplified embodiment, the communication of alarm positions, positions of the assistant units and/or positions of the AEDs by the server unit between the units may be transmitted and received via the mobile phone network.

To facilitate the assistants' possibilities of quickly locating an AED, e.g. while moving toward the alarm position, the server is adapted to communicate addresses and/or positions of accessible AEDs, which are present in the vicinity of the assistant's starting position, in the vicinity of the alarm position and/or along one or more probable routes between the assistant's starting position and the alarm position, to the assistant units. This can ensure that the user needing assistance may receive the life-saving first aid more quickly.

As mentioned above, it will be necessary to place the AEDs in locked cabinets when they are placed in the public space. Therefore, the server is adapted to communicate a code to a plurality of cabinets in which the identified AEDs are disposed, whereby the cabinets with the identified AEDs may be unlocked when an assistant needs to pick up an AED.

The object is also achieved by a communications unit for an AMC centre, which is adapted to receive an alarm signal and/or a position of the alarm signal from a server unit, to show positions of AEDs which are disposed in the vicinity of the patients alarm position, position(s) of one or more assistant units and/or along one or more probable routes between the individual trained lay rescuer's starting position and the patients alarm position, wherein the AMC communications unit is capable of showing the address and/or last-recorded position of the assistant units of trained lay rescuers called in. This unit gives the health staff at an AMC centre a sufficient overview of the circumstances relative to an alarm situation, as the communications unit contains an overview of the calling in of trained lay rescuers.

The communications unit is adapted such that the health staff at the AMC centre may take direct contact from the communications unit (11) to the assistant unit (7) of a trained lay rescuer called in via the server (5) or via the mobile phone network. This ensures that the health staff is able to monitor the user's state during the alarm situation, and also that the health staff is able to give advice and counselling to the trained lay rescuers or assistants called in.

The AMC communications unit is adapted to show positions of fixed line telephones belonging to trained lay rescuers without a portable assistant unit, and telephone calls may be made from the communications unit at the AMC centre to such a trained lay rescuer's fixed line telephone via the server or via the mobile phone network. Hereby, the number of possible assistants may be increased considerably, also in sparsely populated areas.

Finally, it is advantageous that the communications unit according to the invention is a stationary system, such as a stationary pc or a mobile unit, such as a mobile phone, including preferably a smartphone, or a tablet pc, etc

The object of the invention is also achieved by an assistant unit for use in a system for calling in one or more assistants to a person who is in need of first aid. The assistant unit is characterized by being portable and is adapted to receive a request for assistance to a user and to give the assistant the possibility of refusing or accepting the request, to receive and show the address and/or position of the transmitted alarm signal, and to receive and show the addresses and/or positions of accessible AEDs which are present in the vicinity of the assistant's starting position, in the vicinity of the alarm position and/or along one or more probable routes between the assistant's starting position and the alarm position. When a number of voluntary trained lay rescuers in an area have these assistant units, it is possible to call in the trained lay rescuers who can arrive most quickly and give the life- saving first aid. This reduces the response time, i.e. the time until the necessary assistance arrives at the patient, and thereby the risk that the person receiving the first aid will suffer permanent injury, or at worst will not survive. This is of great importance in particular to persons having cardiac, respiratory and/or circulation related diseases, who live in areas where the response time for ambulances and/or emergency doctor turn-outs is long, because they will have a greater certainty of receiving the necessary first aid.

The assistant unit is preferably adapted to transmit information on its position to the server currently, when a trained lay rescuer has accepted the request for assistance on his assistant unit. The assistant unit is preferably also adapted to receive information from the server on the positions of other assistant units, and these positions are updated currently and shown in a map function on a display in the assistant unit. This makes it possible for the health staff at the A C and the other trained lay rescuers to follow the positions of the other rescuers. Moreover, it is possible for the server to calculate an expected arrival time for the individual rescuers, which may also be shown on the displays of the AMC unit and the assistant units.

The assistant unit is adapted to receive information from the server on identified positions of the AEDs, and the addresses and/or positions of these are shown on a display in the assistant unit, which enables an assistant to bring along an AED on his way to the alarm position, thereby saving important minutes which would otherwise have been spent on locating an AED.

The assistant unit is a portable unit in particular, e.g. a mobile phone, such as a so-called smartphone, or a handheld pc, e.g. a PDA since the trained lay rescuers thereby have the possibility of always carrying the assistant unit and thus always has the possibility of being accessible as a rescuer. In order to locate as many trained lay rescuers as possible to an alarm situation, the assistant unit contains a positioning system, such as a GPS or DGPS. The assistant unit may also be used as a user unit, as described below, when the assistant unit is adapted to receive wireless signals from a sensor unit, and contains a processor which is adapted to process the received signals from the sensor unit and generate an alarm signal, if the signals from the sensor unit are outside a predetermined range of normal values for the parameter measured, and is simultaneously adapted to pass on information on the alarm to the server.

The object of the invention is also achieved by a user module for use in a system for calling in one or more assistants to a person who is in need of first aid and which comprises a sensor unit for detecting heart rate, pulse and/or similar measurable physiological parameters of the user, and wherein the sensor unit has incorporated therein at least one wireless transmission unit for transferring the parameters measured, as well a portable user unit for receiving wireless signals from the sensor, said portable user unit containing a processor which is adapted to process the received signals from the sensor unit and generate an alarm signal, if the signals from the sensor unit are outside a predetermined range of normal values for the parameter measured, and is simultaneously adapted to pass on information on the alarm to the server. This ensures that a user, who is e.g. a cardiac patient, may be monitored everywhere, and that an alarm signal is automatically transmitted to the server unit, if the sensor unit detects an abnormal heart rate, as described above. When the user unit is adapted to transmit information on its position to the server, the position of the alarm signal may be recorded automatically in the server unit and be passed on to the AMC centre and assistant units belonging to trained lay rescuers or assistants who have accepted the request for assistance.

The user unit is adapted to receive information from the server on the positions of assistant units, and these positions are updated currently and shown in a map function on a display in the user unit, whereby persons around the user or optionally the user himself will be able to see when the assistants will arrive. When the user unit is moreover adapted to receive information from the server on identified positions of the AEDs, and addresses and/or positions of these are shown on a display in the user unit, it is possible for a person in the vicinity of the user to pick up an AED which is present in the vicinity of the user. When the user unit is a portable unit, such as a mobile phone, including preferably a smartphone, or a handheld pc, e.g. a PDA, the cardiac patient may be monitored constantly and may simultaneously move freely about in the local area. When the user unit contains a positioning system, such as a GPS or DGPS, the user's position at a transmitted alarm signal may be determined automatically and be passed on to the server.

When the user module is adapted to serve also as an assistant unit when it is not in an alarm state itself, there will be more possible assistants who may be called upon in the case of an alarm situation. Description of the invention

The drawing The invention will be described below with reference to the drawing, in which fig. 1 illustrates how the individual elements in the system communicate with each other, figs. 2a-b show a cabinet, which is adapted to store AEDs in publicly accessible areas, fig. 3a shows a block diagram illustrating the structure of the system and how the server communicates with the individual units in the system, fig. 3b shows a portion of the block diagram in fig. 3a, which is connected at the point A, and fig. 3c shows an alternative portion of the block diagram in fig. 3a, which is connected at the point A.

Detailed description of the invention

The components of a system according to the invention are outlined in fig. 1 , where an optional user module comprises a sensor unit 1 and a user unit 3. The acute medical coordination function (AMC) 11 , 42, previously called the alarm centre, receives an alarm message 33 (fig. 3a), and in cases of alarms which may relate to persons who has symptoms which may relate to a cardiac arrest, or an abnormal course of the heart rate, the AMC staff may decide to call in voluntary trained lay rescuers.

The trained lay rescuers are persons who are volunteers and have agreed to be registered as rescuers. The rescuers are all trained in providing basic life support.

The communication between the AMC central and the trained lay rescuers is performed via a server 5. The personal data of the voluntary trained lay rescuers are stored in a database in the server 5.

The AMC can call in the trained lay rescuers by activating the system, which is done by entering an alarm position on a special unit placed at the AMC central, also called the AMC unit 11 , 42. The alarm position is transferred 10 to the server and the server calls in voluntary assistants 35 via their mobile phones, also called assistant units 7, who are registered in the system, and who are present in the locality around the alarm position. These trained lay rescuers are guided to the patient at the alarm position 38 and to the closest AED 9, 41 , respectively. In addition, the server 5 establishes interactive contact between the health staff at the AMC and one or more of the trained lay rescuers via the system e.g. telephonically or via text messages (instant messaging) until an ambulance/medical aid arrives.

A program or a so-called app is installed in the assistant unit 7, e.g a mobile phone, which generates an alarm if the trained lay rescuers is requested to assist in helping a person nearby with symptoms of a possible cardiac arrest or similar as indicated above. The alarm may be a sound, a vibrator or a visual signal on the screen or a combination of one or more of these. Then, the trained lay rescuer has the possibility of accepting of refusing the alarm in a predetermined time interval, which may be 5 - 30 seconds, including preferably 10 - 20 seconds.

If the alarm is accepted, the assistant unit 7 may activate means for determining its position and subsequently transmit the position to the server 5. The communication 6 of the assistant unit 7 with the server 5 normally takes place via the mobile phone network. Alternatively, the assistant unit 7 may communicate with the server 5 via the Internet and a WIFI or LAN link, if these are accessible at the location where the user is present.

The assistant unit 7 may be a mobile phone, such as a smartphone, a handheld computer, a PDA, a tablet PC, or the like.

However, it is preferred to use a so-called smartphone with incorporated global positioning system (GPS or DGPS), since, hereby, the voluntary assistants do not have to be in the vicinity of access to the Internet via local wireless networks in order to be able to receive and react to alarms in the system. Thus, the voluntary lay rescuers' mobile phones 7 are preferably also smartphones with incorporated GPS. Thereby, the screen of the mobile phone 7 may show maps with the alarm position and the other voluntary lay rescuers' positions, and this information is communicated 38, 39, 41 to the voluntary lay rescuers' mobile phones 7 from the control system on the server unit 5. It is also preferred that each assistant units 7 contains a GPS tracking unit, as this type of tracking gives the greatest accuracy of the voluntary lay rescuers' positions, which is especially important when continuous tracking of the assistant occurs during an alarm event. Alternatively, or in combination with GPS positioning of the assistant, positioning of the mobile phone 7 and thereby the voluntary lay rescuer is used via the recording by the telephone companies of the position of the mobile phone 3 relative to transmitter-receiver masts in the mobile phone network, also called triangulation. This may be an advantage, since ordinary GPS positioning of the trained lay rescuer may be impossible, if the voluntary lay rescuer is indoors when the alarm is activated.

In periods without any alarms the assistant unit 7 records the position at regular intervals, e.g. at intervals of 2-20 minutes, preferably each 7-15 minutes and transmits the position to the server 5. The positions of the trained lay rescuers are stored in a database on the server 5, either in the database comprising the personal data of the voluntary assistants or in a separate database, where an identification code links the position stored to a certain voluntary lay rescuer whose personal data are stored in the other database. In one embodiment of the invention, the AMC centre enters an alarm position into their AMC-unit of the system following which the server 5 receives an event signal comprising the alarm position. This event signal triggers a request for accurate positions of all assistant units or alternatively the assistant units whose last recorded position was within a certain radius of the alarm position, e.g. within a radius of 1-10 km or preferably 0-5 km, such as 5 km. Upon receiving a request signal from the server, the assistant units are adapted to switch from positioning via triangulation to GPS positioning. Similarly, when an assistant has accepted a request for assistance the assistant unit switches from positioning via triangulation to GPS based continuous positioning during the entire alarm situation. This switch reduces the overall energy consumption in the mobile phone and preserves the lifetime of the battery in the assistant unit when compared to positioning via GPS only. Positioning via GPS only requires a larger amount of electric energy when compared to positioning via triangulation which would other wise exhaust the battery and require frequent recharging of the battery. In addition the GPS system creates a significant amount of heat in the assistant unit, when it is activated, which causes discomfort to the assistant when the assistant carries this unit, typically in a pocket

Alternatively, a voluntary trained lay rescuers may be recorded on the server 5 with his fixed line telephone number, as information on this type of assistants may be shown on the screen at the AMC (not shown in figs. 3a-c), which thus has the possibility of making a manual call to the trained lay rescuer. Such a trained lay rescuer can, however, not be tracked in the system. The trained lay rescuers, including the contact information to their mobile phones 7 are registered in a database on the server. Thus, only trained lay rescuers who are registered can be called in. Additionally, the program on the assistant units 7 further contains a feature, where the trained lay rescuer may indicate that he or she is unavailable for a period, e.g. for some hours such as 24 hours, or even up to a week or longer. The assistant unit transfers this information to the server in a signal, which causes the server to store this information in a database on the server. This causes the server to inactivate the relevant trained lay rescuer for the period indicated by the assistant. Moreover, the system is to give the position of the nearest accessible AEDs 9 to one or more assistants. Therefore, the positions of the accessible AEDs 9 are also recorded in a database on the server 5.

Today, AEDs are frequently placed at public institutions and/or private enterprises, and are therefore not necessarily accessible around the clock. To be accessible around the clock, the AEDs should therefore be placed outdoors. AEDs are relatively expensive, and in order to be able to insure them, they must be placed in a locked cabinet 20. However, this cabinet 20 must be capable of being unlocked when needed during an event when there is an alarm regarding a patient in need of basic life support which may require an AED. This unlocking of the cabinets may be done by the server 5, which identifies relevant AEDs by their position in a database on the server 5 and a code(s) for opening the cabinet(s) in the same or alternatively in another database. The server 5 then transmits a signal 45 (fig. 3b) to an electronic locking unit (not shown), following which the cabinets 20 are open for the necessary period of time, e.g. up to ½ or 1 hour (PS: konsekvens med tidsramme andetsteds). Alternatively, the server 5 may generate the relevant code and transmit it in a signal 45 to the locking units on the cabinets and to the relevant assistant units.

The signal may e.g. be an SMS, MMS message or a push message, if the remote- controlled locking system contains a mobile phone-based modem. If the locking system is a pushbutton-based combination lock, the server 5, or optionally the health staff at the AMC, may send a message 47 (fig. 3c), e.g. an SMS or an MMS, with the code to the cabinet to one or more trained lay rescuers' mobile phones 7, 48, so that they may open the cabinet 49 when they pick up the AED. Alternatively, the assistant unit may show the code when the assistant touches the screen or a pushbutton on the phone.

The acute medical coordination function (AMC) likewise has equipment 11 capable of communicating 10, 12 with the server 5 and with one or more trained lay rescuers' mobile phones 7. The health staff at the AMC receives an emergency call on a person with symptoms of cardiac arrest or other acute medical states, where the patient has A (airway) B (breathing), C (circulation) troubles which require rapid medical intervention, following which they key-in the address or enter it by means of speech and speech recognition 50. Alternatively, the address/position may be transferred directly from the control system of the AMC for turn-out of emergency vehicles, including an emergency doctor and/or ambulances 50. This possibility may also be used in the embodiments of the system and the method where the users are monitored by user modules As shown in fig. 1 , the equipment may be a stationary pc or a portable pc, a tablet pc, etc., or a smartphone having a (touch)screen which is capable of showing the alarm position and the trained lay rescuers' positions, as well as positions of the nearest AEDs 9. The equipment 11 at the AMC may also contain a mobile phone network-based model, so that the health staff at the AMC may call the assistants' mobile phones directly on the equipment and have telephonic contact with them during the course of the first aid. When this is desired, the health staff clicks on an assistant's icon on the screen, e.g. with a mouse or a similar pointer, or by touching a touch-screen. Then, the control system of the server 5 will identify the relevant assistant in its database and provide for telephonic contact between the health staff at the AMC and the assistant's mobile phone. It is only possible for the health staff at the AMC, to see the telephone number and name of the rescuers, who are taking part in the alarm.

Alternatively, the internal systems of the AMC for monitoring emergency teams, may receive information from the server 5 on the positions 38, 39, 41 of the alarm position, and relevant positions of AEDs and trained lay rescuers, if alarm signal 33 is sent by AMC via the server 5. Thereby, the internal system of the AMC is used, when the health staff is to watch the sequence of events at the individual alarm.

The control system for the communication between the various units associated with the system is provided on the server unit 5. The server 5 is either an independent server which exclusively handles this network of users, assistants and AEDs, or the control system is hosted on a commercial server. However, it is important that the server 5 has a very high security class with respect to encryption and access control, so that a possible risk of unauthorized manipulation is at a minimum, since the server 5 contains a number of databases with sensitive personal information, including e.g. telephone numbers and recent positions of assistants. Further, the logging of positions of alarm positions and trained lay rescuers positions provided on the server 5 must not be capable of being used for showing the trained lay rescuers' movements. Therefore, the logging of the users'/assistants' positions will not contain a historical background, but merely be limited to the last-known position, as a new recording of a position will overwrite the position recorded previously. This minimizes the possibilities of abuse of the system.

The server also contains a log containing the histories of all alarm situations in a given period. The information in the history log is e.g. the positions of the alarm and the activated assistants as well as a record of time used by each trained lay rescuers or assistant, who are called in, to arrive at the alarm position. This database can e.g. be used for research purpose.

During those periods where no alarm has been given in the area, the trained lay rescuers' positions are logged e.g. every 10 minutes, e.g. based on triangulation as indicated above. When an alarm is recorded, and when the trained lay rescuers have accepted the task, the system will continuously log and update their positions, e.g. every minute based on GPS as indicated above, so that their current positions may be shown on the screen in the other activated units until the alarm is blown off. When the server 5 has alarmed the trained lay rescuers 35, and these have accepted 36 to help, the rescuers' positions 30 and optionally the positions of the nearest AEDs 41 will be shown on a map on the screen of each activated assistant unit 7, 44 as well as on the AMC unit 11 , 42. When the AMC receives an emergency call, e.g. from a witness, the address of the alarm position is entered into the AMC unit 11 , 50. Based upon the information from the witness, the staff on AMC may optionally of use the AMC unit 11 to correct the position of the alarm position, e.g. by a "drag-and-drop" feature on the screen showing the alarm position on a map, by means of touching a touch screen of the AMC unit 11 or by means of a pointing tool, e.g. a computer mouse.

Subsequently the AMC unit 11 then sends an alarm signal 33 to the server 5. The alarm signal contains the alarm position, optionally corrected by the AMC staff. In addition, the control system on the server 5 receives the alarm signal 33 from the AMC server unit 11 , 50 the position is recorded in a database on the server 5. The control system searches 34 the databases containing the positions and the personal information of the trained lay rescuers and immediately thereafter transmits 35 a request for assistance to a number N of trained lay rescuers or assistants, e.g. 5 - 15 trained lay rescuers, such as 7-11 trained lay rescuers, with the last-recorded position in the nearest vicinity, e.g. radius A, e.g. 0-10 km or 0-8 km such as 5 km, of the alarm position. The server then await acceptance from X assistant units, where X is e.g. 1-5 trained lay rescuers, such as 3 trained lay rescuers, within a predetermined time, e.g.1-60 seconds, preferably 10-40 seconds, such as 20-30 seconds. If only Y < X acceptances have been received within the predetermined time, the server transmits requests to further N or X-Y assistant units, and optionally repeat this until X acceptances have been received. If only a few or no trained lay rescuers are present in the area with radius A, or if the number of trained lay rescuers having accepted the task 36 is insufficient, the area in which the assistants are located, is then expanded to comprise a larger area 37, radius B, e.g. 5-15 km, such as 8-12 km, and optionally then to an even larger area, radius C, etc. In one embodiment, the recording of the trained lay rescuers' positions is updated in the database of the server before the server identifies 34 trained lay rescuers and transmits 35 a request for assistance e.g. by the server sending a request for an update of the recorded position to all assistant units 7. The request for assistance may e.g. be transmitted to the trained lay rescuers as an SMS, MMS or a push message to the trained lay rescuer's mobile phone 7. Then, the first trained lay rescuer 36 may accept 36 or refuse the request. If the trained lay rescuer's mobile phone 7 is a smartphone, this takes place by pressing an accept or a refuse button on the screen.

When the first trained lay rescuers accepts the request 36, the control program on the server 5 transmits the alarm position 38 and/or address to the assistant's mobile phone 44.

Information on the position and/or the address may e.g. be transmitted as an SMS, MMS or a push message, and if the assistants' mobile phones 7 are a smartphone, the program or the app in it may be arranged so as to also show the patients position, i.e. the alarm position 38, which is preferably shown with an icon on a map on the screen 44 of the assistants' mobile phones 7, e.g. via Google Maps® or similar services. In addition, positions of AEDs as well as the positions of the other trained lay rescuers may be shown with icons on the map, when these have accepted the request.

When the second trained lay rescuer has accepted the request 38, the control program on the server unit 5 transmits the alarm position 38 and/or address to the second trained lay rescuer's mobile phone 7, and also transmits positions and/or addresses of the AEDs 9, 41 , which are closest to the alarm position, of the second trained lay rescuer's starting position, or which are provided along the route which the trained lay rescuers or assistant will typically select to arrive at the alarm position, in the same manner as described for the first trained lay rescuers or assistant

When the third trained lay rescuer has accepted the request 36, he, like the two first trained lay rescuers, also receives the position of the patient 38 in need of basic life support via his mobile telephone 7.

In an advantageous embodiment, the control system on the server 5 then calculates an expected arrival of each of the trained lay rescuers, which is then shown on the other trained lay rescuers' mobile phones and on the screen of the AMC communication unit.

When the desired number X, such as 3, of trained lay rescuers have accepted the request 36 for assistance, the control system on the server 5 transmits a message, e.g. an SMS, an MMS or a push message, which cancels the request to the trained lay rescuers who have not accepted or refused the request as yet.

It is also possible to record a trained lay rescuer in the system with the trained lay rescuer's fixed line telephone number, which will therefore be shown at the AMC with another icon on the screen than the assistants called in. If this trained lay rescuer is the closest one to the alarm position, the AMC staff may decide to mark the icon of this trained lay rescuer on their screen and may then call the trained lay rescuer's fixed line telephone number via the control system on the server unt 5 and pass on the address of the alarm orally as well as optionally also the address of the nearest AED.

At the same time, the control system on the server 5 identifies in the database containing the positions of publicly available AEDs in an area in which the trained lay rescuers will be able to pick up one of the accessible AEDs 9, and then unlocks the cabinets 20, 45 (fig. 3b), as described above. Alternatively, the control system on the server 5 transmits a message 47 to the assistants' mobile phones 7, e.g. in the form of an SMS, MMS or a push message, which indicates the code for the locks on the cabinets 20, which is likewise described above.

When an ambulance and/or an emergency doctor has arrived at the patient/alarm position, and when this has been confirmed telephonically by an assistant to the health staff at the AMC, the health staff may call off the alarm from their AMC unit 11 by marking a call-off icon, which is optionally followed by a further confirmation of it being correct that interruption of the communication is desired. Then, the control system on the server unit 5 interrupts all communication with the trained lay rescuers' mobile phones 11 and the AMC communication unit 11. Before the communication between the assistant units and the control system on the server 5 is interrupted, the system may optionally transmit a message to the trained lay rescuers' mobile phones 7, calling off the alarm and thanking for the work done.

In an alternative embodiment, the control system on the server 5 also has the possibility of being adapted to prioritize whether one, more or all trained lay rescuers are to have information on the location of AEDs 9, just as it is possible to prioritize which one of the trained lay rescuers is to go directly to the alarm position, e.g. on the basis of the expected time of arrival for the trained lay rescuers called in. Thus, it may be that it will take more time for the trained lay rescuer who has accepted the task first, to arrive than the other trained lay rescuers called in, which may have as a result that the patient receives first aid more quickly if one of the other trained lay rescuers is sent directly to the patient. In addition, it may be advantageous that the AMC may decide freely which one of the trained lay rescuers they want to contact.

If more than X, e.g. more than three, trained lay rescuers accept 36 the task within the shortest possible time period, e.g. within 5 - 20 seconds, or within radius A, it will also be possible for the control system on the server to be adapted to prioritize between the trained lay rescuers who have accepted the task, so as to always select three trained lay rescuers with the shortest possible distance in terms of time to the patient who is in need of assistance.

The control system on the server 5 also has the possibility of adapting the transmission of information to the trained lay rescuers according to whether how many accept the task.

When there are only two trained lay rescuers who accept the task, the control system, in a variant of the procedure described above, will transmit the address/position 38 of the alarm position and information 41 , if any, on the nearest AEDs 9, to the first trained lay rescuer 44. The second assistant trained lay rescuer who accepts the task 38 also receives this information 38, 39, 41, and the system will allow calls from the AMC to the second assistant trained lay rescuer. When there is only a single trained lay rescuer who accepts the task, it will also be this trained lay rescuer who receives information on locations of AEDs 9, including also a possible code for the lock on the cabinet 20. In addition, the control system will allow calls from the AMC to this trained lay rescuer.

In an alternative, simplified embodiment, the health staff at the AMC record an alarm signal 33 from a user using a user module on their equipment 11 , following which they read the address of the alarm and key-in the address or enter it by means of speech and speech recognition 50.

In the above described embodiments, the equipment 11 , 42 of the AMC communication unit transmits a message to potential trained lay rescuers, e.g. in the form of an SMS, MMS or a push message. In its simplest form, this transmission may take place directly from the equipment 11 of the AMC to the trained lay rescuers' mobile phones 7, or preferably via the control system in the server 5. Positions of AEDs will also be shown on the trained lay rescuers' units in these simplified embodiments, as described above.

These embodiments of the method and the system according to the invention ensures that the registered trained lay rescuers may also be called in for other patients than users who use user modules (see below), and that these patients, too, can receive rapid basic life support.

In all embodiments where it is possible for the health staff at the AMC to make telephone calls to the trained lay rescuers called in, the trained lay rescuers should be able to see that it is the AMC which calls. Thus, the anonymity should only comprise information on the users and the assistants who are associated with and recorded in the system.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention the system also comprise a user module, which comprises a sensor unit 1 and a user unit 3. The sensor unit 1 comprises a sensor measuring the heart rate, which is disposed e.g. below a wrist watch 2. The sensor unit 1 monitors the heart rate of the user, and the measurement results are transmitted wirelessly to the user unit 3, which is normally a mobile phone 3, e.g. a smartphone. The user's mobile phone/smartphone 3 transmits the alarm message 33 (fig. 3a) to a server 5, if the user e.g. suffers a cardiac arrest, or an abnormal course of the heart rate and/or breathing is detected in another manner. The server calls in trained lay rescuers 35 via their mobile phones 7, who are registered in the system, and who are present in the locality. These trained lay rescuers are guided to the user 38 who has triggered the alarm and to the closest AED 9, 41 , respectively. In addition, the server 5 advises the regional acute medical coordination function (AMC) 11 , 42, previously called the alarm centre, and health staff at the AMC are able to contact one of the trained lay rescuers via the system e.g. telephonically or via text messages (instant messaging) until ambulance/medical aid arrives.

The sensor 1 may use several known types of measuring techniques and sensor types and is e.g. an ECG sensor or electrode-based APD (arrhythmia pulse detector), which measures the user's heart rate, preferably with an incorporated wireless transmitter unit and preferably also an incorporated, optionally exchangeable battery. The transmitter unit transfer signals from the electrode unit, e.g. via Bluetooth, infra red signals, RF signals or other generally accessible wireless communications standards to the user's mobile phone 3.

The sensor 1 is not necessarily restricted to measuring the heart rate, but may be expanded to comprise other measurements, too, e.g. temperature, pulse and other biological conditions which may contribute to diagnosing a heart attack. Nor is the position of the sensor 1 restricted to being below a wrist watch 2, and, thus, it may also be incorporated in a watch.

The sensor 1 may also be disposed elsewhere on the body. Alternatively, the sensor 1 may comprise two sensors which measure "transversely" across the heart, e.g. in that a second sensor 1 is disposed at the ear opposite the arm where the first sensor 1 is disposed (below the wrist watch 2), which increases the precision of the sensor 1 in connection with the measurement of heart rate, pulse and the like.

The wireless transfer from the sensor 1 to the user's mobile phone 3 is preferably unique between the sensor 1 and the user's mobile phone 3, and is e.g. coded, encrypted or operates with ID recognition between sensor 1 and mobile phone 3, so that the alarm program in the user's mobile phone 3 cannot be activated by alarm signals from sensors from other users who are in the vicinity of the user. A program or a so-called app is installed in the mobile phone 3, generating an alarm 30 if the heart rate suddenly increases or drops and thereby gets outside a predetermined range. Alternatively, there may be a sound, a vibrator or a visual signal on the screen or a combination of one or more of these. Then, the user has the possibility of refusing the alarm 31 , if the alarm is caused e.g. by changes in the heart rate which are due to changes in the user's physical activity. The user has the possibility of refusing the alarm in a predetermined time interval, which may be 5 - 30 seconds, including preferably 10 - 20 seconds.

The predetermined range may be generated on the basis of average normal values of the measured parameter, which may be adapted or determined on the basis of historical measurements of normal values for the individual user.

If the alarm is not refused, the mobile phone 3 transmits an alarm 33 to a server 5. The communication 4 of the mobile phone 3 with the server 5 normally takes place via the mobile phone network. Alternatively, the mobile phone 3 may communicate with the server 5 via the Internet and a WIFI or LAN link, if these are accessible at the location where the user is present.

Optionally, the mobile phone 3 may be replaced by a handheld computer or the like. However, it is preferred to use a so-called smartphone with incorporated global positioning system (GPS or DGPS), since, hereby, the user does not have to be in the vicinity of access to the Internet via local wireless networks in order to be able to alarm the system and thus have the local trained lay rescuers called in. It is also preferred that the mobile phone 3 contains a GPS tracking unit, as this type of tracking gives the greatest accuracy of the trained lay rescuer's position. Alternatively, or in combination with GPS positioning of the trained lay rescuer, positioning of the mobile phone 3 and thereby the trained lay rescuer is used via the recording by the telephone companies of the position of the mobile phone 3 relative to transmitter-receiver masts in the mobile phone network. This may be an advantage, since ordinary GPS positioning of the trained lay rescuer may be impossible, if the user is indoors when the alarm is activated.

Moreover, the system is to give the position of the nearest accessible AEDs 9 to one or more trained lay rescuers. Therefore, the positions of the accessible AEDs 9 are also recorded in the system. The user unit 3 preferably have the same program packet or app installed as on the trained lay rescuers' mobile phones 3. Thus, the trained lay rescuers mobile phones 3 are preferably also smartphones with incorporated GPS as described above for the assistant units. Moreover, it is possible for the server 5 to request the assistant unit to establish and transfer the trained lay rescuer's position and communicate information to them.

The user modules may e.g. be supplied in the form of a kit with a sensor unit 1 and a user unit 3, preferably in the form of a smartphone, where the program for the user unit 3 is installed or is supplied on a readable medium, e.g. a so-called memory stick, a DVD or a CD with the necessary software. Alternatively, the telephone may be omitted from the kit, if the user is already in possession of a smartphone.

The assistant units 7 may also be supplied in the form of a kit and may be identical with the user units 3. Alternatively, the assistant units 7 may have the sensor 1 omitted, and may thus comprise a smartphone with installed program packet or an included readable medium, e.g. a so-called memory stick, a DVD or a CD with the necessary software, or exclusively consist of the readable medium if the user is in possession of a smartphone. Alternatively, the necessary software may be obtained and installed from an Internet website with restricted access.

The communications unit for the AMC 11 , 42 may also be supplied as an installed unit in the form of a pc, a tablet pc, e.g. a smartphone. Alternatively, the AMC may use existing equipment, where the system is installed from a readable medium, e.g. a so-called memory stick, a DVD or a CD with the necessary software. Alternatively, it may be neces- sary to obtain and install software from an Internet website with restricted access.

The AED are frequently disposed at public institutions and/or private enterprises, and are therefore not necessarily accessible round the clock. To be accessible round the clock, the AEDs should therefore be disposed outdoors. AEDs are relatively expensive, and in order to be able to insure them, they must be disposed in a locked cabinet 20, an example of the configuration of a cabinet being shown in figs. 2a-b.

However, this cabinet 20 must be capable of being unlocked when needed. This unlocking may take place either with a pushbutton-based combination lock, or the cabinets may be opened by the server 5 transmitting a signal 45 (fig. 3b) to an electronic locking unit (not shown), following which the cabinets 20 are open for the necessary period of time, e.g. up to ½ or 1 hour. The signal may e.g. be an SMS, MMS message or a push message, if the remote-controlled locking system contains a mobile phone-based modem. If the locking system is a pushbutton-based combination lock, the server 5, or optionally the health staff at the AMC, may send a message 47 (fig. 3c), e.g. an SMS or an MMS, with the code to the cabinet to one or more trained lay rescuers' mobile phones 7, 48, so that they may open the cabinet 49 when they pick up the AED.

Some types of AEDs 9 only function at temperatures above 10 - 12 °C, others are less sensitive to temperature. Therefore, the cabinets 20 are provided with a ventilation 21 and are insulated with a suitable insulation material 22, so that the cabinets for the AEDs 9 ensure optimum operating conditions for all types of AEDs 9. Thereby, the AEDs 9 will be stored under conditions ensuring that they can be used under most weather conditions, e.g. also in frosty weather, irrespective of the type of AED 9.

In addition, the cabinets 20 are preferably equipped with a solar cell panel (not shown), which ensures that batteries for the locking systems of the cabinets and for a possible ventilator in the ventilation 21 are always charged sufficiently.

It is also possible to charge the batteries of the AED 9 via the solar cell panel, so that the AED 9 is always fully operational when it is taken out of the cabinet in order to be used. The charging of the internal battery of the AED 9 may take place e.g. via a magnetic plug connection, which is easily disengaged when the AED 9 is taken out of the cabinet. Hereby, the removal of the AED from the cabinet is not impeded by a possible disconnection of electrical connections. Alternatively, the charging of the AED 9 may take place by wireless transfer of energy by means of a wireless connection between a transmitter-receiver unit and a transmitter- receiver unit in the AED 9. The transmitter-receiver unit of the cabinet 20 is connected to the electronic locking circuit in the cabinet 20. This wireless connection between the cabinet 20 and the AED 9 may optionally also be used for ensuring that the server 5 is informed via the transmitter-receiver unit of the cabinet and the locking circuit when the AED 9 is taken out of the cabinet, reports an error or is stolen when the cabinet is cracked, as the electronic locking circuit of the cabinet sends a signal to the server 5 to the effect that it no longer receives signals from the AED 9.

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS

1. A method for assisting an acute medical coordination function centre (AMC centre) to bring an AED to a patient in a situation in which the acute medical coordination function centre receives an alarm about the patient having symptoms which may require basic life support and AED, wherein the information about the location of said patient is registered in a server unit where after the acute medical coordination function centre may select to be assisted by the method comprising the steps of: a) identifying in a database a number of trained lay rescuers each carrying an assistant unit which are present within a predetermined distance from the location of the patient, b) transmitting a request for assistance to N assistant units among the identified assistant units, c) awaiting acceptance from X assistant units within a predetermined time, and if only Y < X acceptances have been received within the predetermined time, transmitting requests to further N trained lay rescuers or at least X-Y trained lay rescuers units, d) optionally repeating step c) until X acceptances have been received; e) passing on the position of the patient to the X assistant units from which acceptance of the request for assistance have been received, f) identifying, in a database, the position of AEDs which are located nearest the patient and/or nearest one or more assistant units

g) communicating the positions of the AEDs to the assistant units , and

h) sending a request to at least one of the X assistant units to pick up an AED and bringing the AED to the location of the patient.

2. A method according to claim 1 , wherein N is in the range of 5 to 15 preferably in the range of 7 to 11.

3. A method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein X is in the range of 1 to 5.

4. A method according to anyone of the preceding claims, wherein the server unit sends a message cancelling the request to the remaining trained lay rescuers, when X trained lay rescuers have been selected.

5. A method according to anyone of the preceding claims, wherein the predetermined distance from the location of the patient is increased if less than N trained lay rescuers units can be identified within the predetermined distance.

6. A method according to anyone of the preceding claims, wherein the predetermined distance from the location of the patient is increased until at least N assistant units can be identified within the predetermined distance.

7. A method according to anyone of the preceding claims, wherein the positions of the assistant units are registered via the GPS system.

8. A method according to anyone of the preceding claims, wherein the assistant units check their positions in response to a signal from the acute medical coordination function centre.

9. A method according to anyone of the preceding claims, wherein the time passing from an assistant unit has sent an acceptance to the assistant unit has reached the location of the patient is registered, preferably by use of the GPS signal.

10. A method according to anyone of the preceding claims, comprising the further step, subsequent to step e) requesting at least one of the X trained lay rescuers to go to the location of the patient.

11. A method according to anyone of the preceding claims, wherein the transmission of the request for assistance is cancelled when X trained lay rescuers have accepted the request.

12. A system for assisting an acute medical coordination function centre (AMC centre) to bring an AED to a patient in a situation in which the acute medical coordination function centre receives an alarm about the patient having symptoms which may require a AED said system comprises at least a server unit and at least N assistant units, wherein the server unit is adapted for:

storing information about the location of the patient,

storing information and the location of trained lay rescuers and/or assistant units, communicating with the assistant units and exchange information about the location of the patient and the positions of the assistant units,

selecting at least X assistant units from a data base, where X < N, and sending a request for assistance,

controlling the number of accepted requests received from the assistant units, and optionally sending requests for assistance to further assistant units,

retrieving information about AED positions in a data storage, and selecting at least one AED position and communicate the AED position to at least one of the selected assistant units,

wherein the assistant units are adapted for:

providing information about position of the assistant unit to the server unit,

receiving a request for assistance from the server unit,

providing a signal to the trained lay rescuer when assistance is requested,

allowing the trained lay rescuer to accept or refuse the request, and if the request is accepted sending an acceptance signal to the server unit,

13. A system according to claim 12, wherein N is in the range of 5 to 15 preferably in the range of 7 to 11 , and X is in the range of 1 to 5.

14. A system according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the assistant unit is selected from a smart phone, PDA , radio receiver/sender, tablet, or computer.

15. A system according to claim 12 to 14, wherein the communication between the server unit and the assistant unit is based wireless signals, such as radio signals and the positioning of the assistant units is based on GPS signals and/or radio signals.