AU2007203529B2 - Automated external defibrillator system - Google Patents

Abstract

AUTOMATED EXTERNAL DEFIBRILLATOR SYSTEM 5 A system (20) is described for providing monitored access to automated external defibrillators (AEDs) (50). Terminals (12, 60) are arranged to accommodate the AEDs, the terminals comprising a communication interface and adapted to use the communication interface (49) to transmit an alert indicative of access to the terminals. A monitoring unit (14) in communication with the terminals is operable to receive the 10 alerts. Data storage (80) stores contact information for rescuers trained in AED usage, the rescuers being associated with one or more of the terminals. A controller of a transmitter initiates transmission of a message to at least one of the rescuers (70) associated with a terminal that has issued an alert.

Description

P100/O1; Regulation 3.2 AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Invention Title: Automated external defibrillator system The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us: 2 Automated External Defibrillator System Field of the invention The present invention relates to methods and systems for providing access to medical devices, and in particular to providing monitored access to automated external 5 defibrillators (AEDs). Background of the invention Sudden cardiac arrest occurs when victims have an abnormal heart rhythm called ventricular fibrillation. In this state, the heart cannot beat in a coordinated fashion and blood does not circulate to the heart and the brain. The victim loses consciousness, 10 collapses and appears lifeless. Ventricular fibrillation is a treatable arrhythmic condition. Electrical energy is present in the heart, but is chaotic. The treatment for most cases of sudden cardiac arrest is treatment with a defibrillator to shock the heart out of a fatal rhythm, allowing a normal, healthy rhythm to resume. Although Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) are safe, effective and easily applied, few victims of sudden 15 cardiac arrest have ready access to AEDs. The shorter the time from collapse to defibrillation, the better the chances of survival. If defibrillation is applied within 1-2 minutes, survival rates of 90% have been reported. If defibrillation is applied after 6 minutes, the survival rate is about 45%. Where defibrillation is delayed by more than 10 minutes, the survival rate drops to less 20 than 5%. Although most victims of sudden cardiac arrest are middle-aged or elderly, many victims are in their thirties. Cardiac arrest may occur at any location, for example at home, in shopping centres, on public transport or at work. Consequently, the widespread availability of automated external defibrillators at workplaces and in the 25 broader community would be beneficial in addressing the problem of sudden cardiac arrest. There is a need for the widespread provision of AEDs to improve the chances of victims surviving sudden cardiac arrest.

3 In addition to the requirement for widespread provision of AEDs, there is also a requirement to ensure that the AEDs that are distributed are safe and reliable. The potential for liability associated with AED ownership may limit the ability to achieve widespread provision of AEDs. The annual number of AEDs distributed between 1996 5 and 2005 increased almost ten-fold. During that period, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued 52 advisories involving either AEDs or critical AED accessories. FDA data showed that during this 10-year period many AEDs were recalled due to the potential to malfunction. Reference to any prior art in the specification is not, and should not be taken as, 10 an acknowledgment or any form of suggestion that this prior art forms part of the common general knowledge in Australia or any other jurisdiction or that this prior art could reasonably be expected to be ascertained, understood and regarded as relevant by a person skilled in the art. Summary of the invention 15 It is an object of the present invention to overcome, or at least ameliorate, one or more disadvantages of existing arrangements. According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a system for providing monitored access to automated external defibrillators (AEDs), the system comprising: a plurality of terminals arranged to accommodate the AEDs, each terminal 20 located at a respective one of a plurality of AED serviced sites, the terminals comprising: at least one detector adapted to detect access to a corresponding terminal and adapted to issue a signal if the detector detects that the corresponding terminal has been accessed; and 25 a communication interface in data communication with the at least one detector and adapted to transmit an alert indicative of access to the corresponding terminal if the signal issues; a monitoring unit in communication with the plurality of terminals and adapted to receive the alerts from the terminals; 30 data storage storing contact information for a plurality of rescuers trained in AED 4 usage for at least one said serviced site, each rescuer being associated with one or more of the terminals located at their respective serviced site and not associated with terminals located at other said serviced sites; and - a controller in data communication with the monitoring unit and the data storage 5 and adapted to, using the contact information, initiate transmission of a message to at least one of the rescuers associated with a terminal that has issued an alert. The AEDs accommodated in the terminals may emit an audible signal if a self diagnostic unit of the AED detects a fault, and the terminals may further comprise: an audio monitor operable to detect an audible output of an AED accommodated 10 in the terminal and an audio analyser operable to compare the detected output with one or more predefined AED signals; and a communication module arranged to notify the monitoring unit if the audio analyser finds a match in the comparison. 15 The audio analyser may be operable to compare the detected output with a plurality of predefined signals corresponding to different types of AED. The terminal may issue an alert based on a signal from at least one of: e a detector that detects that a door of the terminal has been opened; e a detector that detects that a window in the terminal has been broken; 20 e a detector that detects that a panic button of the terminal has been activated; e a detector that detects that an access card has been inserted into a card reader of the terminal; e a detector that measures biometric parameters to check whether an 25 authorised user is accessing the AED accommodated in the terminal. The system may comprise a communication device operable to enable a person at the terminal to communicate with an operator at the monitoring unit.

5 For at least one of the terminals, the communication device may comprise a camera system operable to transmit images of a person accessing the terminal to a display of the monitoring unit. At least one of the terminals may comprise a safe to house the AED, the safe 5 having an electronic lock. The monitoring unit may control operation of the electronic lock and be operable to cause the release of the electronic lock. The training of the rescuers may have a specified period of validity and the data storage may be arranged to store data indicative of a current validity of the training of 10 the rescuers. The AEDs may comprise components having a scheduled maintenance routine and the data storage is arranged to store data indicative of a current status of the components. The system may comprise a scheduler for scheduling maintenance of the AED 15 components in accordance with the scheduled maintenance routine. According to another embodiment of the disclosure, there is provided a terminal for housing an automated external defibrillator (AED), the terminal comprising: an enclosure for accommodating an AED that emits an audible alert if a self diagnostic unit of the AED detects a fault; 20 an audio monitor operable to detect an audible output of the AED accommodated in the enclosure; an audio analyser operable to compare the detected audible output with one or more predefined AED alert signals; and a communication module arranged to notify a remote monitoring unit if the 25 comparison detects a match.

6 The terminal may comprise a monitor that detects access to the enclosure and wherein the communication module or another communication device in the terminal issues an alert indicative of access to the enclosure. According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a method of 5 monitoring access to an AED accommodated in a remote enclosure of a terminal, wherein the terminal is located at a respective one of a plurality of AED serviced sites, and each terminal further comprising a communication interface, the method comprising: receiving a notification from the communication interface of access to the remote 10 enclosure; retrieving contact data for at least one AED trained user from a database of a plurality of AED trained users, wherein the said at least one AED trained user is associated with the AED serviced site where the accessed remote enclosure is located, and wherein the said at least one AED trained user is not associated with remote 15 enclosures located at other said AED serviced sites; and sending a message in accordance with the contact data for alerting the said at least one AED trained user associated with the AED serviced site where the accessed remote enclosure is located of a potential need to apply the AED accommodated in the accessed remote enclosure. 20 The method may further comprise: authorising access to the remote enclosure; and initiating release of a lock securing the remote enclosure. According to another embodiment of the disclosure, there is provided a system for providing monitored access to automated external defibrillators (AEDs), the system 25 comprising: a terminal arranged to accommodate the AEDs, the terminal comprising a communication interface and adapted to use the communication interface to transmit an alert indicative of access to the terminals to a remote location; and a computational supervisory unit associated with the terminal and located at the 7 terminal and comprising data storage arranged to store contact information for rescuers trained in AED usage. In response to particular signals received over the communication interface the supervisory unit may store new or updated contact information for rescuers trained in 5 AED usage. The supervisory unit may implement at least one of a training schedule and a maintenance schedule by generating a training or maintenance notice at a required time. According to another embodiment of the disclosure, there is provided a system 10 for providing monitored access to automated external defibrillators (AEDs), the system comprising: a terminal arranged to accommodate the AEDs, the terminal comprising a communication interface and adapted to use the communication interface to transmit an alert indicative of access to the terminals to a remote location; 15 a positioning device that determines the position of the terminal and transmits information indicative of the determined position with the alert; and a two-way communication device that enables two way communication between the terminal and another device remote from the terminal. According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a computer 20 program product comprising machine-readable program code recorded on a machine readable recording medium, for controlling the operation of a data processing apparatus on which the program code executes to perform a method of monitoring access to an AED accommodated in a remote enclosure, wherein the remote enclosure is located at a respective one of a plurality of AED serviced sites, and each remote enclosure further 25 comprising a communication interface, the method comprising: receiving a notification from the communication interface of access to the remote 7A enclosure; retrieving contact data for at least one AED trained user from a database of a plurality of AED trained users, wherein the said at least one AED trained user is associated with the AED serviced site where the accessed remote enclosure is located, 5 and wherein the said at least one AED trained user is not associated with remote enclosures located at other said AED serviced sites; and sending a message in accordance with the contact data for alerting the said at least one AED trained user associated with the AED serviced site where the accessed remote enclosure is located of a potential need to apply the AED accommodated in the 10 accessed remote enclosure. Further embodiments of the aforementioned aspects of the present invention and/or additional aspects of the present invention, which should be considered part of the present invention, will become apparent from the following description. Brief description of the drawings 15 Embodiments of the invention are now described with reference to the Figures, in which: Fig. 1A is a schematic block diagram of a monitored AED terminal system in which a plurality of monitored AED terminals communicate with a host system; Fig. 1 B is a schematic diagram of the host system of Fig. 1A in communication 20 with monitored AED terminals and trained users at a serviced site; Fig. 2 is a schematic block diagram of an AED with an associated GPS device for use in the system of Figs. 1A and 1B; Fig. 3 is a schematic block diagram showing components of an AED; Fig. 4 is a schematic block diagram of a monitored AED terminal for use in the 25 system of Fig. 1A; 8 Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a user holding a GPS-enabled AED in wireless data communication with a monitor terminal; Fig. 6 is a schematic block diagram of an alert control system used in the monitored AED terminal of Fig. 4; 5 Fig. 7 is a flow diagram of a method of installing AED terminals, training local rescuers and maintaining the AED system; Fig. 8 is a schematic diagram of a data structure for use in the host system of Fig. 1A; and Fig. 9 is a flow diagram of a method that may be followed when an AED is 10 removed from the AED terminal of Fig. 4. Detailed description of the embodiments Fig. 1A is a schematic diagram of a monitored AED terminal system 20. The system includes a plurality of monitored AED terminals. Two AED terminals 12a, 12b are shown in Fig. 1A. However, it will be understood that in practice the system 20 may 15 include a large number of such terminals 12. As described in more detail below, each of the AED terminals 12a, 12b holds one or more AEDs. The terminals 12a, 12b communicate with a host 14 over a network 15 which may be, for example, the Internet, phone lines, or a proprietary business to business network. 20 In addition to the monitored terminals, the system 20 may include one or more AEDs 60 that have an associated GPS to enable location tracking. The location information may, for example, be transmitted to the host 14 via a wireless network. The host 14 may include a signal receiver module 17 for receiving and processing signals from the monitored terminals 12a and the GPS-enhanced AEDs 60.

9 The host 14 also includes a response manager 18 used in monitoring and operating the AED terminal system 20. The host 14 is typically a conventional computer system with software running thereon to implement the functions of the host 14. The host may include redundant 5 equipment to increase the reliability of the overall system 20. Additionally, back-up power supplies may be provided to enable continued operation in the event of power failures. In some arrangements, the host 14 includes a video manager 16. In such systems, one or more of the monitored AED terminals 12a, 12b includes a camera for 10 transmitting video images via network 15 to the video manager 16. This video link enables an operator using the host 14 to determine whether or not to provide access to the AED stored in the monitored AED terminal 12a, 12b. The operator can communicate with a person at the monitored terminal and assess whether there is actually a need to release the AED. 15 The monitored terminals 12a, 12b may be positioned at diverse locations. For example, a workplace may install one or more monitored terminals to provide access to AEDs in the event that staff members or visitors to the workplace suffer sudden cardiac arrest. Other examples of locations where monitored terminals 12a, 12b may be beneficial are shopping centres and train stations. 20 This is illustrated further in Fig. 1B which shows a monitored AED terminal 12 installed at a serviced site 72. As indicated, the serviced site 72 may be a workplace, shopping centre or train station. This list is not exhaustive and the monitored AED terminals 12 may be installed at many serviced sites 72. Although a single site is depicted in Fig. 1B, the host 14 may communicate with and manage several serviced 25 sites 72. In one arrangement, the monitored terminals 12 are leased to the serviced site 72. A further aspect of the AED system 20 is the provision of training to potential rescuers who work at the serviced site 72 or reside at the serviced site 72. The number 10 of rescuers trained at the serviced site 72 will depend on the number of staff available. Preferably, a plurality of rescuers are trained to increase the chances that at least one rescuer is available at the serviced site 72 at all relevant times. Typically, the training only remains valid for a predetermined time. For example, to remain on the list of 5 trained rescuers, a rescuer should receive retraining at least on an annual basis. The host 14 is used to keep track of key aspects of the system installed at the serviced site 72. For example, data stored on database 80 accessible by host 14 includes details of all the trained rescuers at the serviced site 72, together with dates on which the validity of the rescuers' training expires. 10 In addition, the AED equipment stored in the monitored terminal 12 may have a prescribed maintenance schedule. For example, elements of the AED should be replaced on a scheduled basis, even when the AED has not been used. This scheduled maintenance helps to ensure that the AED is in working order if it is actually required. In addition, elements of the AED stored in the terminal 12 may require replenishing after 15 the AED has been removed and used. Management software running on the host 14 monitors the scheduling of maintenance of the equipment at the serviced site 72. The data may, for example, be stored in database 80 and may include an indication of the elements that need replacement, the date on which the elements were last replaced and the prescribed 20 interval between scheduled replacements. The management software retrieves the relevant data and issues reminders about the scheduled servicing. For example, the software may generate a list of equipment due to be replaced at a particular serviced site 72 by a specified date. The information may be used to schedule the work of technicians who perform the 25 maintenance. The serviced site 72 may include a supervisory unit 75, which may be a standard computer. Information may be transmitted from the host 14 to the supervisory unit 75 regarding the status of the AED equipment and trained rescuers at the serviced site 72.

11 The information could indicate, for example, that the annual training of the rescuers was due shortly. Information may also be transmitted to the host 14 from the supervisory unit 75. For example, if a trained rescuer resigns from the serviced site 72, a notification may be sent to the host 14, prompting an update of data stored in database 80. 5 The trained rescuers at the serviced site 72 have access to one or more communication devices 70. A wide range of suitable devices 70 may be used. For example, the communication device 17 may be a mobile phone for receiving an SMS message initiated from the host 14. Alternatively, the communication device 70 may be a pager or a computer, in which case the host 14 may send email messages to the 10 communication device. More than one means of communication may be used, to increase the chances of trained rescuer receiving notification of an emergency. As described in more detail below, if an AED in the terminal 12 is accessed, typically in the event of an emergency, a signal is transmitted to the host 14. The host 14 then sends alert signals to one or more of the communication devices 70 at the 15 serviced site 72. In addition, the host system 14 may contact an emergency physician or an ambulance to get trained medical staff to attend the serviced site 72. The trained users at the serviced site 72 need not be medical personnel. The basic aim is to ensure that there are people present at the serviced site 72 who are capable of using the AED in the event of sudden cardiac arrest. 20 Fig. 2 shows a schematic block diagram of a GPS-enabled AED 60. The three principal components are a standard AED 50, a GPS device 61 and a two-way communicator 62. The components 50, 61 and 62 may be standard devices. The combination of the AED 50 and the GPS device 61 permits tracking of the location of the AED, and may facilitate recovery in the event of theft, or assist in the accurate 25 dispatch of a rescuer or ambulance. The two-way communicator 62 may provide communication between the user at the services site 72 and another, for example rescuers or ambulance personnel.

12 The components of a standard AED 50 are shown in the block diagram of Fig. 3. The AED 50 includes electrodes 51 that, in use, are applied to a patient. The AED 50 is a portable device that is powered by battery 52. The operation of the AED 50 is controlled by electronic circuitry 52. A watchdog unit 54 monitors the status of the AED 5 50. If faults are detected by the watchdog unit 54, an audible alarm indicator 55 is activated to emit an audible alarm. Fig. 4 shows a monitored AED terminal 12a adapted to house at least one AED 50 or GPS-enabled AED 60. The monitored terminal 12a is not intended to be limited to any particular model of AED. Instead, any conventional AED that fits into the physical 10 space provided may be stored in the monitored terminal 12a. In some arrangements, more than one AED may be located in a single terminal 12a. The AED may be stored in a stainless steel safe having an electronic lock in the terminal 12a. In other arrangements the AED may be stored in a plastic safe with an electronic lock. The more rugged safe may be appropriate in locations where there is a greater risk of theft or 15 vandalism. In some secure locations, no safe may be necessary and the terminal need not include access control. The terminal 12 still, however, includes means for alerting the host 14 that the AED has been accessed due to an emergency. Suitable alerting means are described below. The monitored terminal 12a includes an alert control system 30 that monitors the 20 status of the AED 50, 60. As shown in Fig. 6, the alert control system 30 includes a microphone 31 and an analyser unit 32. The microphone 31 detects whether the audible alarm indicator 55 is emitting an alarm signal indicating that the self-diagnosis function of the AED has detected a fault. The analyser unit 32 is operable to detect certain predefined sounds or audible maintenance indications received from the microphone 25 31. The analyser unit 32 may, for example, be software running on a processor. The analyser 32 could alternatively be implemented as a dedicated hardware unit, using, for example, an ASIC or digital signal processor. Preferably, the microphone 31 and analyser unit 32 are operable to detect a wide range of different sounds or audible maintenance indications from different makes of AED. This feature allows many 30 different types of AED to be used with the monitored terminal 12a.

13 The terminal 12a may include an alarm 40 to provide a local indication of an alarm condition. The alarm 40 may, for example, be an audible alarm or a visual alarm such as a light. The terminal 12a also includes a network connection module 49 that enables data to be transmitted via network 15 to the host 14. Thus, for example, if the 5 alert control system 30 detects that the AED is emitting a fault signal, the output of the analyser unit 32 may be transmitted to the host 14. Software running on the host 14 can then initiate servicing of the faulty AED. The terminal 12a may be configured to limit access to the AED. This access control is intended to reduce the possibility of the AED 50, 60 being vandalised, stolen 10 or removed inappropriately. However, the access control also enables a person validly desiring to use the AED to access the terminal. For example, a user may be required to break a glass window in the terminal in order to access the AED. In this arrangement, the terminal 12a includes a detector 47 to detect the breaking of the glass window. The terminal 12a also includes a detector 48 operable to detect that the AED 50, 60 has 15 been removed from its position in the terminal 12a. The detector 47 may also monitor whether a door of the terminal 12a has been opened. Other means of access to the monitor terminal 12a may be provided, either on their own or in combination. For example, the monitored terminal 12a may include a card reader 46. A suitably programmed card may be inserted into the card reader 46 to 20 enable access to the terminal 12a for removal of the AED. The terminal 12a may include a camera 42 that can transmit video images from the terminal 12a via the network connection module 49 over network 15 to the video manager unit 16 of the host 14. A person at the monitor terminal 12a who wishes to access the AED may be viewed by an operator at the host 14, who can then decide whether or not to provide access to 25 the AED. The operator may, for example, initiate a signal from the host 14 that acts to release a catch locking the door of the terminal 12a. The terminal 12a may also include a panic button 45 to alert an operator at the host 14 that there is someone present at the monitor 12a who wishes to communicate and potentially gain access to the AED. In one arrangement, the monitored terminal 12a 30 includes a user interface 43, which may include a display for conveying information to a 14 person at the terminal 12a and input means such as a keyboard or touch pad enabling the person at the terminal 12a to enter information or selections. The terminal 12a may include a display driver 44 to drive the display in the user interface 43. The terminal may include one or more speakers to enable audio communication between the terminal 12a 5 and the host 14. In one arrangement the terminal 12a includes a unit for biometric measurements to enable accredited personnel to access the AED. The terminal 12a may also include a siren 41, that may, for example, be activated once the AED is removed from the terminal 12a. As shown, the components 30, 40-49 are in data communication with one another within the monitor terminal 12a. 10 Information may be thus conveyed from the components 30, 40-48 to the host 14. Information may also be conveyed from the host 14 back to the monitor terminal 12a. Thus for example speakers in the user interface 43 may permit an operator of the host to speak to a person at the terminal 12a. Optionally video images of the operator at the host 14 may be displayed at the terminal 12a. 15 Fig. 5 shows a user 63 holding a GPS-enabled AED 60 in wireless data communication with the monitor terminal 12a. Fig. 7 shows a flow diagram of a method 100 for installing and monitoring one or more AED terminals at a serviced site 72. In step 102 the one or more AED terminals are installed at suitable locations 20 within the serviced site 72. In some applications, the serviced site 72 need not be stationary but may, for example, be a means of transport such as a train, aeroplane, boat or bus. In step 104 trainers train one or more rescuers who are regularly in attendance at the serviced site 72. The training step 104 need not be a single occurrence. A plurality 25 of training sessions may be required. In addition, the validity of the training expires after a predetermined period, and retraining is required. Staff members may leave the serviced site 72 and new employees may arrive and require training to maintain a full complement of trained rescuers.

15 Then, in step 106, the monitored AED terminal system 20 monitors the operability of the AEDs at the serviced site 72. This is an ongoing process. As described above, the AEDs typically emit an audio signal if their self-diagnostic circuitry detects any faults with the AED. The terminals 12 detect the emitted audio signals and transmit 5 this information to the host 14, which then initiates servicing the AED. For example, a message may be sent to scheduling software that plans visits for an AED technician. In one arrangement the host interrogates the alert control system 30 on a regular basis to check whether a fault signal has been detected by the microphone 31 and analyser 32. This interrogation may be conducted in the early hours of the morning when there is 10 typically less data being transmitted between the serviced sites 72 and the host 14. Software running on the host 14 also schedules routine maintenance of the equipment, as indicated at step 108. For example, the electrodes of AEDs may require to be replaced in accordance with a schedule specified by the manufacturer of the AED. In addition, the battery 53 powering the AED 50 may require replacement to ensure that 15 the AED always has sufficient power. The management software running on the host 14 also maintains records of the trained rescuers at the serviced site 72, as indicated at step 110. It will be apparent that the steps 106, 108 and 110 are ongoing processes performed by the monitored AED terminal system 20, rather than sequential steps. 20 Fig. 8 shows schematically a data structure 200 that may be used, for example in database 80 to maintain data used in the monitored AED terminal system 20. A field 202 contains identification information for a particular account, that may correspond to a particular serviced site 72. An associated field or set of fields 204 contains information identifying all the monitored AED terminals 12 associated with the 25 account specified in field 202. Field or fields 206 include an indication of the status of each of the terminals. For example, if a fault has been detected at one of the AEDs, a corresponding flag in field 206 may be set to indicate the faulty status. This flag may 16 remain set until a technician has attended to the fault. Once the correction of the fault has been entered into the system, the flag is restored to indicate a working state. Field 208 lists the names of the trained rescuers. The rescuers may be associated with particular AED terminals. Alternatively, the rescuers may be associated 5 with the account 202. The specific details of the association may depend on the size and geographical layout of the serviced site 72. For example, a company may have installations in several cities. Rescuers may be associated with terminals in their geographic location. In other examples, a business may be located on multiple floors of a building. A rescuer may be associated with a monitored AED terminal on the floor 10 where he or she works. Each rescuer has a training status stored in field 210. The status indication will show whether the rescuer's training is still valid. The status information may also indicate a date on which the training validity lapses. Field 212 includes contact details of the rescuers. The actual means of 15 communication may vary from instance to instance. For example, the rescuers may be contacted by SMS message to a mobile phone, or a signal to a pager, or by email. More than one means of communication may be used. Further information may also be included in the data structure 200. For example, some rescuers may only attend the serviced site 72 on a limited number of days each week. There may also be a preferred 20 order of contacting the rescuers. For example, there may be 'on-duty' rescuers and 'fall back' rescuers. The specific arrangements may be varied dependent on the staffing conditions at different serviced sites 72. Fig. 9 shows a flow diagram of a method 300 that may be implemented by software running on the host 14 when an emergency occurs. The method 300 is 25 triggered when someone tries to access the monitored terminal 12a. As described above, there are several ways in which access or attempted access to the terminal 12a may be detected. These include inserting a card in a card reader 46, pressing a panic button 45, pushing inputs on a user interface 43, speaking into a microphone, or communicating over an IP-addressable camera system. In step 302 management 17 software running at the host 14 receives an alert that the monitored terminal 12 is being accessed. In some arrangements, access to the AED may be supervised remotely from the host 14. For example, an operator at the host 14 may communicate with a person at the 5 monitored terminal 12 and assess whether the person should be provided with access to the AED. Thus, step 304 is an optional step. In some arrangements the host 14 is not operable to enable supervised access to the AED. If the operator decides that access to the AED is justified, a signal may be sent from host 14 to the terminal 12 that unlocks the electronic lock of the safe in terminal 12 that houses the AED. 10 After the host 14 has been alerted that the AED has been accessed, in step 306 software running on the host 14 retrieves information from data structure 200 associated with the AED that has been accessed. The retrieved information includes contact details of trained rescuers associated with the AED. In step 308, software running on the host 14 initiates contact with the trained rescuers in accordance with the 15 predefined procedures for the serviced site 72 at which the AED has been stored. For example, the host 14 may initiate SMS messages to be sent to the trained rescuers. Depending on the protocols used at the serviced sites, the rescuers may be required to acknowledge receipt of the alert. In this case, software running at the host 14 may monitor acknowledgements from the rescuers in step 310. If a first rescuer does not 20 respond, the monitoring software of the host 14 may then attempt to contact further rescuers. In addition to contacting the local trained rescuers, the monitoring software host 14 may also contact an ambulance service and an emergency physician. The ambulance service and physician may provide medical oversight and support to follow 25 up on the first aid provided by the rescuers using the AED stored in the monitored terminal 12. In one arrangement, the AED terminal may be associated with automated teller machines (ATMs) such as those used by banks. In this case, access to the AED may be enabled once a user has entered a bank card and keyed in a personal identity number.

18 It will be understood that the invention disclosed and defined in this specification extends to all alternative combinations of two or more of the individual features mentioned or evident from the text or drawings. All of these different combinations constitute various alternative aspects of the invention. 5 It will also be understood that the term "comprises" (or its grammatical variants) as used in this specification is equivalent to the term "includes" and should not be taken as excluding the presence of other elements or features.

Claims (20)

1. A system for providing monitored access to automated external defibrillators (AEDs), the system comprising: - a plurality of terminals arranged to accommodate the AEDs, each terminal 5 located at a respective one of a plurality of AED serviced sites, the terminals comprising: - at least one detector adapted to detect access to a corresponding terminal and adapted to issue a signal if the detector detects that the corresponding terminal has been accessed; and 10 - a communication interface in data communication with the at least one detector and adapted to transmit an alert indicative of access to the corresponding terminal if the signal issues; - a monitoring unit in communication with the plurality of terminals and adapted to receive the alerts from the terminals; 15 - data storage storing contact information for a plurality of rescuers trained in AED usage for at least one said serviced site, each rescuer being associated with one or more of the terminals located at their respective serviced site and not associated with terminals located at other said serviced sites; and - a controller in data communication with the monitoring unit and the data storage 20 and adapted to, using the contact information, initiate transmission of a message to at least one of the rescuers associated with a terminal that has issued an alert.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the terminals further comprises: an audio monitor operable to detect an audible output of an AED accommodated 25 in the terminal; an audio analyser operable to compare the detected output with one or more predefined AED signals; and a communication module arranged to notify the monitoring unit if the audio analyser finds a match in the comparison. 20

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the audio analyser is adapted to compare the detected output with a plurality of predefined signals corresponding to different types of AED.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one of the terminal further comprises 5 a communication device operable to enable a person at the terminal to communicate with a display at the monitoring unit.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein for at least one of the terminals the communication device comprises a camera system adapted to transmit images of a person accessing the terminal to a display of the monitoring unit. 10

6. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the terminals comprises a safe to house the AED, the safe having an electronic lock.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the monitoring unit controls operation of the electronic lock and is adapted to cause the release the electronic lock to enable access to the safe. 15

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the data storage stores data indicative of a current validity of the training of the rescuers.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the data storage stores data indicative of a scheduled maintenance routine for the AEDs accommodated in the terminals.

10. The system of claim 9, further comprising a scheduler in data communication 20 with the data storage and adapted to schedule maintenance of the AED components accommodated in the terminals in accordance with the scheduled maintenance routine stored in the data storage.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one terminal comprises an enclosure adapted to enclose the AED, the enclosure comprising a door and the detector is 25 adapted to detect that the door has been opened. 21

12. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one terminal comprises an enclosure adapted to enclose the AED, the enclosure comprising a window and the detector is adapted to detect that the window has been broken.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one terminal comprises a panic button 5 and the detector is adapted to detect that the panic button has been activated.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one terminal comprises a card reader and the detector is adapted to detect that an access card has been inserted into the card reader.

15. The system of claim 1, wherein the detector is adapted to measure biometric 10 parameters to check whether an authorized user is accessing the terminal and wherein access is enabled for an authorized user.

16. A method of monitoring access to an AED accommodated in a remote enclosure of a terminal, wherein the terminal is located at a respective one of a plurality of AED serviced sites, and each terminal further comprising a communication interface, the 15 method comprising: receiving a notification from the communication interface of access to the remote enclosure; retrieving contact data for at least one AED trained user from a database of a plurality of AED trained users, wherein the said at least one AED trained user is 20 associated with the AED serviced site where the accessed remote enclosure is located, and wherein the said at least one AED trained user is not associated with remote enclosures located at other said AED serviced sites; and sending a message in accordance with the contact data for alerting the said at least one AED trained user associated with the AED serviced site where the accessed 25 remote enclosure is located of a potential need to apply the AED accommodated in the accessed remote enclosure. 22

17. The method of claim 14 further comprising: authorising access to the remote enclosure; and initiating release of a lock securing the remote enclosure.

18. The system of claim 16, wherein in response to particular signals received over 5 the communication interface the supervisory unit stores new or updated contact information for rescuers trained in AED usage.

19. The system of claim 16, wherein the supervisory unit implements at least one of a training schedule and a maintenance schedule by generating a training or maintenance notice at a required time. 10

20. A computer program product comprising machine-readable program code recorded on a machine-readable recording medium that when executed on a data processing apparatus performs a method of monitoring access to an AED accommodated in a remote enclosure, wherein the remote enclosure is located at a respective one of a plurality of AED serviced sites, and each remote enclosure further 15 comprising a communication interface, the method comprising: receiving a notification from the communication interface of access to the remote enclosure; retrieving contact data for at least one AED trained user from a database of a plurality of AED trained users, wherein the said at least one AED trained user is 20 associated with the AED serviced site where the accessed remote enclosure is located, and wherein the said at least one AED trained user is not associated with remote enclosures located at other said AED serviced sites; and sending a message in accordance with the contact data for alerting the said at least one AED trained user associated with the AED serviced site where the accessed 25 remote enclosure is located of a potential need to apply the AED accommodated in the accessed remote enclosure.