CH710687A2 - Support device for cardio pulmonary resuscitation and method for assisting an operator during cardio pulmonary resuscitation. - Google Patents

Abstract

The device (1) for cardio pulmonary resuscitation comprises a glove (2) and a process module integrated in the glove (2) and provided with an activation button (19), the glove (2) presenting a first portion (2a) of coating and integral protection of the palm, back and fingers of one hand, and a second portion (2b) of covering and integral protection of the wrist of the hand, the process module presenting a microcontroller, a radio telecommunication module equipped with a card of cellular mobile telephony, a satellite location module, an accelerometer, a loudspeaker, a microphone and a visible light emission module, housed in a container arranged at said second portion (2b) of the glove (2).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a device comprising a glove, in support of cardio pulmonary resuscitation, also active as a personal protection device (PPE).

[0002] The present invention also refers to a method for assisting an operator of a cardio pulmonary resuscitation. Cardiac arrest is a dramatic clinical condition in which the mechanical activity of the heart is lacking. This situation leads to an immediate absence of blood circulation and organ oxygenation.

[0003] The causes can be multiple but in any case there is an ineffectiveness of the electrical and mechanical component of the cardiac activity that lead to cardiocirculatory arrest.

[0004] Cardiac arrest is one of the most important causes of death in industrialized countries. In the extra-hospital emergency, cardiovascular arrest is responsible for 60–70% of all causes of cardiovascular death. According to WHO epidemiological data, cardiac arrest has an incidence equal to 1 per 1000 inhabitants / year.

[0005] Cardiac arrest is a condition of reversible clinical death, which if not adequately treated, is destined to evolve into irreversible biological death due to non-cerebral oxygenation. The only therapy that can replace the pumping of the heart is the external cardiac massage (MCE). This maneuver, together with any electrical therapy performed with an external semi-automatic defibrillator (AED) and ventilation support are the basic elements of cardio pulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

[0006] Scientific research has amply demonstrated that the main determinants for the success of cardio pulmonary resuscitation are the earliness of the alarm in the health emergency system and the beginning of cardiac massage as well as the correct execution of external chest compressions both in terms of frequency than depth.

[0007] The aforementioned aspects establish both the success rate of resuscitation maneuvers and the quality of life of the survivor as for every minute lost, the chance of survival decreases by 10%.

[0008] The international guidelines (GL) have been agreed for decades on what are the fundamental actions to be performed and their time sequences. The metaphor of the Chain of Survival, unequivocally represents what actions to take, in what sequence and at what times, and also defines which actors play a fundamental role in achieving the common goal of restoring life and quality of life to people affected by cardio-circulatory arrest (ACC) in any setting where they experience such a dramatic experience.

[0009] An element of fundamental context is the time taken individually, which is the factor that mainly affects the quality of post-ACC life. Precisely on the basis of the concept of time, all the actions included in the Chain of Survival have undergone an important conceptual anticipation of time, so as to shift the focus from the Aid delivered by Professionals to First Aid actions carried out by anyone in contact with a person victim of ACC. Today, in the most modern Health Emergency Systems, the concept of timeliness is combined with that of the diffusion of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) techniques to the laity so that the resuscitation intervention is timely and started already at the place of the event even before the arrival of professional assistance.

[0010] A further crucial element and, as we shall see, unfortunately also potentially critical, is the quality of CPR which has precise and rigorous reference standards, the result of decades of studies, experiments and international clinical trials. It is clear that in this case the focus is on the quality of the basic training but above all the quality and temporality of the ongoing training programs; relatively simple concepts for organized contexts such as health emergency services, fire brigades and law enforcement agencies, but difficult to obtain when talking about lay people. If it is easy to advertise, plan and carry out their training, it is difficult to keep such and many unorganized people performing. Furthermore, unlike professionals, lay people also have few opportunities to deal with real events and therefore need more permanent training to maintain performance.

[0011] On the market there are already auxiliary tools for cardiac massage mainly developed for professional use. The most well-known and / or widespread on the market are proprietary devices to be applied to the patient's chest during cardiac massage which, connected by cable to their defibrillator monitor, provide information on the quality of the maneuver or plates integrated in the early defibrillation electrodes connected to their defibrillator semi-automatic.

[0012] These devices must be connected to their own defibrillator monitor in order to function and therefore possession of the same is mandatory, limiting their availability by lay personnel.

[0013] Furthermore, by interposing between the patient's chest and the operator's hands, they limit their sensitivity.

[0014] The technical task proposed by the present invention is to provide a portable device, free from any other device but usable with any other device, which supports cardio-pulmonary resuscitation.

[0015] Within the scope of this technical task, an object of the invention is to provide a device for cardio pulmonary resuscitation which at the appropriate moment can provide the necessary support to every person, whether professional or not, to undertake cardio resuscitation effective pulmonary function.

[0016] Another object of the invention is to provide a cardio pulmonary resuscitation device which does not require the physical presence of a telephone.

[0017] Another object of the invention is to provide a cardio-pulmonary resuscitation device that is simple to use, practical, portable, light and can also be stored in a trouser pocket and reusable.

[0018] The technical task, including further purposes beyond those already mentioned, is achieved by realizing a cardio pulmonary resuscitation device characterized in that it comprises a glove and a process module integrated in the glove and provided with an activation button; said glove, has a first covering portion and integral protection of the palm, back and fingers of one hand, and a second covering portion and integral protection of the wrist of the hand; said process module has a microcontroller, a telecommunication radio module equipped with a cellular mobile phone card, a satellite location module, an accelerometer, a speaker, a microphone and a visible light emission module, housed in a container arranged at said second portion of the glove.

[0019] The present invention also reveals a method for assisting an operator of a cardio pulmonary resuscitation, characterized in that: said operator wears the cardio pulmonary resuscitation device and operates said activation button; said automatically activated process module: locates the position of the operator via the satellite location module; generates and sends to an emergency health referral system via the radio telecommunication module an SMS (Short Message Service) requesting help containing the indication of the position detected by the satellite location module; via the mobile telephony card receives the call from the health emergency system; performs a comparison between actual measurement values carried out at least from said accelerometer and reference measurement values and on the basis of the result of said comparison generates in real time via said loudspeaker and said visible light emission module a feedback for the depth of the cardiac massage and for the frequency of cardiac massage.

[0020] Other features of the present invention are defined, moreover, in the subsequent claims.

[0021] Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become more evident from the description of a preferred but not exclusive embodiment of the cardio-pulmonary resuscitation device according to the invention, illustrated only by way of non-limitative example in the attached drawings, in which: <tb> Fig. 1 <SEP> shows a rescuer with the resuscitation device worn, activated and in connection with the reference health emergency system; fig. 2 <SEP> shows a plan view from above of the resuscitation device; fig. 3 <SEP> shows a plan view from below of the resuscitation device; fig. 4 <SEP> shows a block diagram of the process module; the fig. 5a and 5b <SEP> show the container in plan view from above and from below with schematically illustrated the arrangement of the components inside it; fig. 6 <SEP> shows a flow chart of the assisted resuscitation procedure carried out by the resuscitation device; fig. 7 <SEP> shows vocal tutorials and feedback algorithm for assisted resuscitation.

[0022] With reference to the above figures, a device for cardio pulmonary resuscitation indicated as a whole with the reference number 1 is shown.

[0023] The cardio pulmonary resuscitation device 1 comprises a glove 2 and a process module 3 integrated in the glove 2 and provided with an activation button 19.

[0024] The glove 2 has a first covering portion 2a and integral protection of the palm, back and fingers of one hand, and a second covering portion 2b and integral protection of the wrist of the hand and a second covering and protection portion 2b full hand wrist.

[0025] The process module 3 has a microcontroller 5 and, connected to the microcontroller 5, a radio telecommunication module 6 equipped with a corresponding antenna 6a and a cellular mobile phone card 6b (SIM card), an accelerometer 8, a loudspeaker 10, a microphone 11, a visible light emission module 16, and a satellite location module 9 equipped with a corresponding antenna 9a. All these components of the process module 3 are housed in a container 18 arranged at the second portion 2b of the glove 2.

[0026] The container 18 has a rigid watertight structure which, in addition to isolating, also mechanically protects the components housed therein.

[0027] In particular, the container 18 is positioned at the side of the second portion 2b of the glove 2 which in use covers the upper side of the wrist of the hand.

[0028] The components of the process module 3 are mounted directly on a printed circuit board (PCB), with the exception of the activation button 11 which being easily operable is supported directly by the container 18, and of the loudspeaker, also supported directly by the container 18.

[0029] The process module 3 is connected by means of a suitable wiring 4a to an electric power supply battery 4 integrated in the glove 2 at the side of the second portion 2b of the glove 2 which in use covers the lower side of the wrist of the hand.

[0030] The glove 2 is made of fluid impermeable material and has a construction suitable for the integration of the process module 3 and of the battery 4: the container 18 and the battery 4 in particular are incorporated in the wall thickness of the glove 2 and in the envisaged case in which the glove 2 has a construction which provides at least two layers of material, they are placed in suitable openable and closable pockets formed between the two layers of material.

[0031] The glove 2 preferably has a differentiated construction between the first portion 2a and the second portion 2b suitably reinforced with respect to the first portion 2a for the integration of the process module 3 and of the battery 4. In particular the first portion 2a of the glove 2 to the limit can be realized from a single layer of material.

[0032] The container 18 for the aforementioned purpose is advantageously arranged in a protected position outside the area of the back of the glove 2 on which the resuscitator must exert pressure with the other hand to perform cardiac massage.

[0033] Ultimately, the components of the resuscitation device 1 housed in the container 18, both due to the special location of the container 18 and also for the protective function performed by the container 18 itself, are free from the risk of damage that can accidentally be caused by any organic fluids and above all the energetic action of pressure on the back of the glove 2 by the other hand of the resuscitator.

[0034] Advantageously the loudspeaker 10 and the visible light emission module 16, in the pose assumed naturally by the arm and the hand of the resuscitator during the execution of the cardiac massage, are arranged in such a position that their emissions are perceived directly without obstacles in the way and therefore without distortion or attenuation from the resuscitator who must not even look away and be careful from the action he is performing. The process module 3 is configured to automatically execute, once activated, the location by means of the satellite localization module 9 of the position of the operator, and the generation and the sending through the radio telecommunication module 6 and the telephony card 6b mobile of an emergency call request message indicating the position of the operator.

[0035] The process module 3 is further configured to automatically execute, once activated, a comparison between actual measurement values carried out at least by the accelerometer 8 and reference measurement values and, based on the comparison result, generate in time real feedback through the loudspeaker 10 and the visible light emission module 16 for the depth of the cardiac massage and for the frequency of the cardiac massage.

[0036] The process module 3 further comprises a memory module 12 also housed in the container 18 and connected to the microcontroller 5.

[0037] Preferably the device 1 also comprises a camera (not shown).

[0038] The memory module 12, for example a memory card SD, is advantageously also used for the environmental recording during the rescue as well as for recording the monitoring data detected in terms of adherence to the cardio pulmonary resuscitation sequence, corrected frequency of external thoracic compressions, correct depth of external chest compressions, adequacy of pauses identifying those due to the sequence with respect to arbitrary / incorrect ones.

[0039] In the case in which the device 1 is also equipped with a video camera, the environmental recordings include audio and video data.

[0040] The device 1 also comprises, as shown, a pressure sensor 13 which cooperates with the accelerometer 8 to carry out a precise evaluation of the thoracic compression depth.

[0041] The pressure sensor 13 is connected by means of a signal cable 13a to the microcontroller 5.

[0042] In particular the microcontroller 5, processing the signal received from the pressure sensor 13 is able to compensate the offset of the measurement obtained from the signal received from the accelerometer 8.

[0043] The microcontroller 5 also processes the signal received from the pressure sensor 13 also to discriminate a false one from a true reading of the accelerometer 8.

[0044] The device 1 can optionally also comprise sensors for electrocardiogram 14 and a special interface 14a between the sensors for electrocardiogram 14 and the microcontroller 5.

[0045] In particular, and the sensors for electrocardiogram 14 are connected by signal cables 14b to the microcontroller 5.

[0046] The pressure sensor 13 and the sensors for electrocardiogram 14, if provided, are arranged at the side of the first portion 2a of the glove 2 which in use covers the palm of the hand.

[0047] Optionally the device can also include other sensors, for example a temperature probe, a pulse oximeter, motion and speed sensors, etc., and / or a display connected to the microcontroller 5 and mounted directly on the container 18.

[0048] The device can finally comprise one or more environmental sensors integrated in the glove 2, for example a carbon monoxide sensor connected to a corresponding emitter of an alarm signal.

[0049] For the feedback processing to the operator, the microcontroller 5 executes a calculation algorithm whose input data are supplied as seen from the accelerometer 8 and from the pressure sensor 13.

[0050] The feedback emitted by the loudspeaker 10 is formed by a voice message whose content is related to the result of the calculation algorithm.

[0051] The visible light emission module 16 can comprise an LED bar 16a and in this case the feedback emitted by the visible light emission module 16 is formed by a coded and incremental sequence (red = compression too weak - green = correct compression - red = excessive compression) of LEDs 16a lit whose number, progression and color is correlated to the result of the calculation algorithm.

[0052] It must also be noted that all feedback information is immediately and naturally perceptible as it stimulates two distinct senses, sight and hearing, which can be received simultaneously and without hierarchies of precedence by the resuscitator as they are led to the cortex cerebral by two very distinct sensory pathways.

[0053] The operation of the cardio pulmonary resuscitation device, with reference to Figs. 1, 6 and 7, is briefly the following. The rescuer 20 wears the glove 2 and activates the process module 3 by pressing the button 19.

[0054] The process module 3, as soon as activated, generates and automatically sends an SMS alarm message to the health emergency service 22 via the radio telecommunication module 6, the antenna 6a and the telephone card 6b and in parallel through the speaker 10 starts the vocal tutorial indicated with A in fig. 7 and essentially related to a series of preliminary instructions for the recognition of the cardio circulatory arrest conditions (ACC) of the patient 21.

[0055] The SMS telephone message contains the telephone number of the caller (device) and, if available via satellite location, its geographical coordinates.

[0056] The display of the telephone number of the device allows the health emergency service (EMS) 22 to call the device to which it responds, with an integrated system in hands-free "hands-free" who is performing the CPR. During the call, which does not imply the interruption of the CPR sequence, the operator of the Health Emergency System will have both the confirmation of the patient's clinical conditions and the address where to send the rescue.

[0057] The telephone call from the health emergency service 22 (EMS) is received automatically by the device, ie without activating any key, via the radio telecommunication module 6, the antenna 6a and the telephone card 6b and automatically interrupts the vocal tutorial TO.

[0058] Upon indication of the emergency health service operator, or by autonomous decision, by pressing the activation button 19, the process module 3 starts, via the loudspeaker 10, the vocal tutorial C, see in fig. 7, relating to the sequence of cardio pulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and contextually starts the elaboration of the feedback for the guided correction of the massage according to the algorithm A in fig. 7

[0059] To further assist the action of the rescuer, the microcontroller 5 activates a metronome function, generating through the loudspeaker 10 a sequence of "beeps" at a constant rate to signal the execution of external chest compressions. The volume of the "beeps" is automatically modulated when the vocal feedback that always predominates is superimposed. The microcontroller 5 acquires, as said from the accelerometer 8 and from the pressure sensor 13 the measurement of depth and frequency of the external chest compressions and as a function of the comparison between the real measurement and the reference measurement generates a specific feedback.

[0060] In particular, a voice message is generated by the loudspeaker 10 with the request to increase / decrease the compression rate if the measured compression frequency is respectively lower / higher than a reference value of 100 (± 10) compressions per minute .

[0061] At the same time a red light is generated from the visible light emission module 16 if the measured compression depth is insufficient or excessive, and a green light if the measured compression depth is inside of the reference value. The number of lit green LEDs is greater the closer the measured value of compression depth to the correct reference value is, and similarly the number of red LEDs lit up is greater the farther away is the measured value of compression from the correct value of reference.

[0062] In the event that the process module 3 does not receive a telephone call from the emergency medical service 22 after a preset time limit, it automatically interrupts tutorial A and starts the vocal tutorial indicated with B in fig. 7 relating to the request to make a telephone call by other means, for example a cellular telephone, a satellite telephone, a landline telephone, to the reference health emergency service.

[0063] Tutorial C in this case is started at the right moment by the rescuer due to the operation of the button 19.

[0064] In conclusion, the process module 3 then activates a tutorial that guides the healthcare professional step by step to perform a quality and effective CPR and an on site correction on the behavior to be adopted.

[0065] The process module 3 in fact provides guidance, monitoring and feed-back functions through the use of voice and / or visual prompts that guide the performer in the correct sequence of CPR, corrective voice and / or visual prompts on frequency and depth of external chest compressions.

[0066] In this way the device 1 unifies the two main rings of the survival chain through which both the call to the six-vice emergency health, and the early cardiac massage are performed in a simple, safe, effective manner being precisely guided by a system for recognizing and correcting the work performed by the operator.

[0067] The cardio pulmonary resuscitation device can have various interfaces with the outside (eg Wifi, Bluetooth, Aux In, Aux Out, USB, Bridge 2AG), including appropriate means of wireless connection to a central internet server in able to concentrate, manage and maintain all the data of the interventions and trace the position of the intervention itself. The data can be used both for statistical purposes as a basis for the training of the operator using the device, and as a remote assistance system.

[0068] Connection to the central server can take place in different operating modes: offline, hybrid, or online.

[0069] In the offline operating mode the device 1 establishes a wireless connection with a local client of the MOBILE type, for example an app for Apple devices equipped with an IOS operating system or an app for devices equipped with an ANDROID operating system or a STANDALONE client executable on PC or MAC. In this mode the client application acts as a data concentrator and possibly as a monitor of services, making the system usable even in the total absence of telephone coverage. As soon as it reaches a place in sufficient network coverage, the client will copy the data of the interventions stored locally on the central server.

[0070] In the hybrid operating mode the device 1 establishes a wireless connection to one of the available clients which, in turn, being in network coverage will immediately make the data on the central server available in real time, in addition to performing all the functions provided in the offline operating mode.

[0071] The online operating mode does not include the use of a local application, but the device is directly connected to the central server via GSM or via wireless connection, and the server provides to perform all the functions provided by the mobile or stand-by client alone, realizing an online telemedicine and remote assistance service, guided by professionals in the field remotely and in real time. This possibility of having real-time support is also common to the hybrid operating mode. In the case of Mobile Client (IOS-ANDROID), the latter is designed for simple and immediate use, taking into account the context of normal operation where effectiveness is reached if it is possible to be operational without having to think about setting parameters. or the configuration of the system itself.

[0072] In the case of a stand-alone client application for PC-MAC, the latter can be much more sophisticated and contain many configurations. This client, suitable for fixed workstations such as ambulances, hospitals or care institutions, allows the connection of different types of sensors, such as pulse oximeters, thermometers, cameras and external microphones, and can be equipped with a learning system to allow exercises and educational activities also at a distance.

[0073] The cardio pulmonary resuscitation device takes on a fundamental role in guiding and feedback, at all times and in all contexts related to cardio pulmonary resuscitation, and can be used not only for performing cardio pulmonary resuscitation but also for training of the rescuer, for data collection, case analysis and quality control of the services provided.

[0074] The cardio pulmonary resuscitation device can be used by anyone with basic training in cardio-pulmonary resuscitation, and in particular by health personnel (all the health figures are in this class, whether they carry out their professional activity) mainly in the extra-hospital emergency, both those who carry out health activities in other contexts such as hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, medical offices); from lay personnel belonging to private / public institutions (fire brigades, police and other law enforcement agencies, employees in offices - supermarkets - stadiums - public places - public transportation - university schools); and by lay personnel made up of ordinary citizens.

[0075] The cardio pulmonary resuscitation device thus conceived is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the inventive concept; furthermore all the details may be replaced by technically equivalent elements. In practice, the materials used, as well as the dimensions, may be any according to the requirements and to the state of the art.

Claims (10)

1. Device (1) for cardio pulmonary resuscitation characterized in that it comprises a glove (2) and a process module (3) integrated in the glove (2) and provided with an activation button (19), called glove (2) presenting a first covering portion (2a) and integral protection of the palm, back and fingers of one hand, and a second portion (2b) of covering and integral protection of the wrist of the hand, said process module (3) presenting a microcontroller (5), a radio telecommunication module (6) equipped with a mobile phone card (6b), a satellite location module (9), an accelerometer (8), a speaker (10), a microphone (11) and a module (16) for emission of visible light, housed in a container (18) arranged at said second portion (2b) of the glove (2). 2. Device (1) for cardio-pulmonary resuscitation according to claim 1, characterized in that said container (18) is positioned at the side of said second portion (2b) of the glove (2) which in use covers the upper side of the wrist of the hand. 3. Device (1) for cardio-pulmonary resuscitation according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a battery (4) for powering the process module (3) integrated in the glove (2) at the side of said second portion (2b) of the glove (2) that in use covers the lower side of the wrist of the hand. 4. Device (1) for cardio-pulmonary resuscitation according to claim 1, characterized in that said activation button (19) is housed on said container (18). 5. Device (1) for cardio-pulmonary resuscitation according to claim 1, characterized in that said process module (3) further comprises a memory module (12) housed in said container (18), and a pressure sensor ( 13) arranged at the side of said first portion (2a) of the glove (2) which in use covers the palm of the hand. 6. Device (1) for cardio pulmonary resuscitation according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises environmental sensors integrated in the glove (2). 7. Method for the assistance of an operator of a cardio pulmonary resuscitation, characterized in that: - said operator wears a device (1) for cardio pulmonary resuscitation according to any previous claim and operates said activation button (19); is - said process module (3) activated automatically: locates the position of the operator via the satellite location module (9); generates and sends to an emergency health referral system via the radio telecommunication module (6) an SMS (Short Message Service) requesting help containing the indication of the position detected through the satellite location module; via the mobile telephony card receives the call from the health emergency system; performs a comparison between actual measurement values performed at least by said accelerometer (8) and reference measurement values and on the basis of the result of said comparison generates in real time through said loudspeaker (10) and said visible light emission module (16 ) feedback on the depth of cardiac massage and the frequency of cardiac massage. 8. Method for assisting an operator of a cardio-pulmonary resuscitation according to claim 7, characterized in that said process module (3) automatically starts said feedback (A) upon activation of a vocal tutorial (C). 9. Method for the assistance of a cardio-pulmonary resuscitation operator according to claim 7, characterized in that said process module (3) automatically starts said feedback (A) upon activation of a vocal tutorial (C) during a telephone call received through said telephone card (6b). 10. Method for assisting an operator of a cardio pulmonary resuscitation according to claim 7, characterized in that said activated process module (3) automatically performs an environmental recording at least through said microphone (11).