The invention is an apparatus for increasing intrathoracic pressure for resuscitating cardiac arrest patients. The apparatus comprises a flexible, substantially inelastic belt wrapped around the patient's chest and attached to a force converter. The force converter converts a downwardly directed force into a chestward resultant, which depresses the sternum, and two belt tightening resultants. The force converter comprises a pair of arm assemblies, each having a pair of spaced arms, which are pivotably mounted to a base. The base is positioned near the patient's sternum and the ends of the belt attach to one end of each arm assembly. The opposite, handle ends of the arm assemblies are depressed toward the chest causing tightening of the belt and compression of the chest cavity.
The present application is (1) a division of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/059,497, filed Apr. 13, 1998 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,234,984, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/573,465, filed Dec. 15, 1995, and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 5,738,637 on Apr. 14, 1998, and (2) a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/546,519, filed Apr. 11, 2000 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,325,771, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/059,497, filed Apr. 13, 1998 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,234,984, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/573,465, filed Dec. 15, 1995, and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 5,738,637 on Apr. 14, 1998.
The invention relates to a cardiopulmonary resuscitation apparatus comprising: a device having a piston for compressing the sternum; and a device for thoracic constriction having a chest band for fastening and constricting the chest when the piston compresses a patient's chest, characterized in that the length of the chest band can be adjusted according to the size of the patient's chest. The apparatus further includes a protection pad to be attached to the chest when the chest band is tightened, thereby easily adjusting the length of the chest band according to the size of the patient's chest and protecting the patient's chest when it is compressed.
Portable, lightweight manually actuated CPR device for performing enhanced external thoracic massage. When applied to the victim, the device is used to perform chest, or chest and abdominal compression cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). The device provides mechanical force advantage over manually-performed external thoracic massage and permits performing multiple, repeatable and controlled compression/decompression cycles in rapid succession. The system requires less physical strength and endurance than the traditional external thoracic massage, and can be used by persons who otherwise are not strong enough to perform effective CPR. The device can be used with external ECG and defibrillation electrodes and equipment, is lightweight and portable, and can be used by both professional and lay rescuers.
The invention is an apparatus for increasing intrathoracic pressure for resuscitating cardiac arrest patients. The apparatus comprises a flexible, substantially inelastic belt wrapped around the patient's chest and attached to a force converter. The force converter converts a downwardly directed force into a chestward resultant, which depresses the sternum, and two belt tightening resultants. The force converter comprises a pair of arm assemblies, each having a pair of spaced arms, which are pivotably mounted to a base. The base is positioned near the patient's sternum and the ends of the belt attach to one end of each arm assembly. The opposite, handle ends of the arm assemblies are depressed toward the chest causing tightening of the belt and compression of the chest cavity.
