A lightweight electro-mechanical chest compression device. The device is provided with a motor, a brake, a drive spool, a control system, and a metal channel beam to brace the device and guide a compression belt. The belt is provided in a belt cartridge that attaches to the channel beam. In use, the belt is secured around the patient and to the drive spool. The motor tightens the belt by turning the drive spool. The electro-mechanical chest compression device weighs less than 30 pounds when fully assembled with its power source.

A compression belt cartridge for use with chest compression devices. The compression belt cartridge has a double-oar shaped belt and a cover plate through which the belt is threaded. The cover plate is provided with hooks and snap latches that fit into a belt drive platform. The cover plate is sized and dimensioned to fit within only selected platforms. The belt attaches to the means for tightening the belt via a spline attached to the belt. The means for tightening a belt then repetitively tightens the belt, thereby accomplishing chest compressions.

A resuscitation device having a specific frame design with an integrated hydraulic plunger frame which is adapted to be strapped over a patient's chest. The frame is designed with two protruding arms stretching towards the patient's armpits. The frame includes flexible straps coiled onto spring biased rotatable reels. The straps end in respective armpit stays which are looked into recesses in a back support. The plunger of the frame stops against a limiting means which limits the travel of the plunger automatically according to the size of the patient's chest.

An external cardiac massage device comprising a pressure source and a depressor means wherein pressure is transmitted from the pressure source to the sternum via the depressor means in a rhythmic fashion gradually increasing over time to a maximum then decreasing at a like rate while maintaining a minimum residual pressure on the sternum. Graph (A) shows variation in pressure on the sternum over time for ECM applied manually. Graph (B) shows variation in pressure applied by a prior art device. Graph (C) shows variation in pressure applied by a device according to the present invention.

Chest compressions are measured and prompted to facilitate the effective administration of CPR. A displacement detector produces a displacement indicative signal indicative of the displacement of the CPR recipient's chest toward the recipient's spine. A signaling mechanism provides chest compression indication signals directing a chest compression force being applied to the chest and a frequency of such compressions. An automated controller and an automated constricting device may be provided for applying CPR to the recipient in an automated fashion. The automated controller receives the chest compression indication signals from the signaling mechanism, and, in accordance with the chest compression indication signals, controls the force and frequency of constrictions. The system may be provided with a tilt compensator comprising a tilt sensor mechanism outputting a tilt compensation signal indicative of the extent of tilt of the device, and may be further provided with an adjuster for adjusting the distance value in accordance with the tilt compensation signal. An ECG signal processor may be provided which removes the CPR-induced artifact from a measured ECG signal obtained during the administration of CPR.