Patent Application
20230355469
This invention relates to chest compression devices and methods concerning cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
There are various known chest compression devices and methods concerning cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Traditionally when administering CPR, the person performing chest compressions uses their bare hands. There are devices that can mechanically administer CPR, but these devices are expensive (commonly used in ambulances). It is not practical to have these expensive devices in all hospitals. When administering CPR to a patient, it is common for the person who is performing chest compressions to experience pain and discomfort after long periods of time, which can impact the quality of compressions. There needs to be a way to allow healthcare workers to more effectively administer CPR. It would be beneficial to have a device to protect the hands of the person administering CPR so that they are able to perform quality compressions for a longer period of time. This is especially important in times when there is a shortage of healthcare workers, and therefore less people available to perform CPR.
At least one embodiment of the present invention, provides a compression apparatus that is used to act as a barrier between the hand of the person administering CPR (the compressor) and the patient's chest. It attaches to the dominant hand of the person administering CPR with an adjustable Velcro (trademarked) strap. It is designed to cover the inside palm of the dominant hand of the person administering CPR.
In at least one embodiment, the apparatus is preferably made up of a sandwich of three layers. The top layer is composed substantially or entirely of foam to cushion the hand of the person administering CPR. The middle layer is a lightweight semi-rigid plastic material, and the bottom layer is another layer of foam to protect the skin of the patient receiving CPR.
This is an affordable way to improve the quality of chest compressions so that healthcare workers are able to perform effective compressions for longer periods of time without experiencing pain.
If provided to non-medical individuals responding to a cardiac arrest, i.e. along with an AED (automated external defibrillator device) this device will help them provide higher quality chest compressions while awaiting emergency personnel.
In at least one embodiment, an apparatus is provided for supporting the inside of the dominant hand of a person administering cardiopulmonary resuscitation to a patient in order to increase the quality and effectiveness of compressions, as well as comfort to the person performing compressions comprising: a first layer; a second layer; a third layer; and a strap protruding through and/or attached to the first layer.
In at least one embodiment, the first, second and third layers are fixed together, are aligned with each other, and the second layer is sandwiched between the first and the third layers; the first and third layers are made of foam; the second layer is made of a material which is more rigid than the foam of the first and the third layers; and the strap is configured to be placed in an open state or in a closed state.
In at least one embodiment, the apparatus is configured so that second-fifth digits of the compressor's dominant hand are slid under the strap so that the hand is secured between the first layer of the apparatus and the strap. The strap will rest either on top of or proximal to the knuckles on the dorsal surface of the dominant hand. The person's palm will rest on the first layer of the device.
The second layer may be made of a lightweight semi-rigid plastic material. The first layer may have a top surface area with a width of about 5.0 inches and a length of about 3.5 inches. The top surface of the first layer may have a printed arrow which points towards the strap, and which is critical in one or more embodiments, to designate proper insertion and/or placement of the person's palm between a closed strap and a sandwich of the first, second, and third layers.
In at least one embodiment, a method is provided for applying cardiopulmonary resuscitation compressions with a compression apparatus, which includes an adjustable strap, and a sandwich of first, second, and third layers, wherein the method comprises: in a first state, locating four non thumb fingers of a person's hand at least partially between the strap in a closed state and the sandwich of first, second, and third layers, while simultaneously locating a palm of the person's hand at least partially on a top surface of the first layer; and in the first state, having the person apply cardiopulmonary resuscitation compressions to a patient by pressing down with the person's hand on a top surface of the first layer of the sandwich, while a bottom surface of the third layer is at least partially in contact with the patient's chest; and wherein the second layer is sandwiched between the first and the second layers.
The compression apparatus may be constructed as previously described. The first, second, and third layers may have substantially the same area and are aligned with each other and fixed together.
Referring to
The section 4 has an arrow 10 imprinted on its top surface 4c, which is preferred to show from which direction four, non thumb fingers of a human hand, such as fingers 102, 104, 106, and 108 of hand 100 in
The soft foam piece for section 4 reduces and/or eliminates the possibility that the person who is applying pressure with the palm of their hand 100 may hurt their hand, such as by pressing on a sharp rib or other sharp part of the patient's body.
The soft foam piece for section 8 reduces and/or eliminates the possibility that the patient will be hurt by the bottom surface 8c pressing on the patient's chest or other part of the patient's body.
Piece or section 8 includes openings 8a and 8b and piece or section 4, which may be identical or substantially the same as section 4, includes corresponding openings 4a and 4b.
In order to assemble the apparatus 1, at least one embodiment, an end 2b of the strap 2 may be first attached at section 6b of the piece 6, without piece 4 or 8. The end 2b of the strap 2 is inserted through slot 7b, passed underneath the bottom of section 6b, then through slot 7a to attach the end 2b at the location of section 6b. Next both strap ends 2a (which is opposite to 2b) and 2b may be passed through opening 4b in plate or section 4 shown in
Next, an end 2a of the strap 2, which opposes end 2b, is then inserted through opening 4a of plate or section 4, then through slot 9b of plate or section 6, passed underneath the bottom of section 6a, then through slot 9a, and back through opening 4a, to attach thereby attach end 2a at the location of section 6a. The section 4 can then be glued or otherwise permanently fixed to the section 6 in the orientation shown in
In operation, the sections 8, 6, and 4 of the apparatus 1 act as a barrier between the hand of a person administering CPR and a patient's chest. The apparatus 1 attaches to the dominant hand of the person administering CPR by use of strap 2. Strap 2 may typically be an adjustable Velcro (trademarked) strap. It is critical and preferable, in at least one embodiment, that the top surface area of the section 4 covers the inside palm of the dominant hand of the person administering CPR, wherein the inside palm of the dominant hand is placed on the top surface area of the section 4.
In at least one embodiment, the apparatus 1 is preferably It is made up of a sandwich of three layers 4, 6, and 8. The top layer or section 4 is comprised of substantially or entirely of foam to cushion the hand of the person administering CPR. The middle layer or section 6 is a lightweight semi-rigid plastic material, and the bottom layer or section 8 is another layer of foam to protect the skin of the person receiving CPR.
The apparatus 1 provides an affordable way to improve the quality of chest compressions so that healthcare workers are able to perform effective compressions for longer periods of time without experiencing pain.
If provided to non-medical individuals responding to a cardiac arrest (i.e. along with an AED (automated external defibrillator device) the apparatus 1 will help them to provide higher quality chest compressions while awaiting emergency personnel.
Although the invention has been described by reference to particular illustrative embodiments thereof, many changes and modifications of the invention may become apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is therefore intended to include within this patent all such changes and modifications as may reasonably and properly be included within the scope of the present invention's contribution to the art.
