A Mechanical Device Provides Efficient Hands-Free CPR

The Life-Stat life support device provides effective, consistent hands-free American Heart Association (AHA) guideline-compliant CPR. The device can be used in a variety of settings including ambulances, air medical evacuation units, fire rescue, and emergency department sites, as well as in-hospital areas such as coronary and intensive care units (ICUs), cardiac catheterization labs, and organ transplant facilities. The device can be rapidly deployed and set up so that there is virtually no loss of chest compressions during transition from manual CPR

The Life-Stat is based on a previous mechanical CPR device called the Thumper, but it has been modernized by the use of electronic controls to coordinate chest compressions with ventilation. Due to these electronic controls, the Life-Stat has simplified setup and operation, accommodates a wide range of patients (from small adults to bariatric size patients), produces higher levels of continuous cardiopulmonary support when compared with typical manual CPR, and operates consistently at an optimal chest compression depth, with 100 compressions per minute and a preprogrammed systole/diastole ratio of 50:50. CPR can even be provided while the patient is being carried on an emergency board in stairways from the rescue site to the emergency vehicle, or during seatbelt restraint while en route to the hospital. The Life-Stat is a product of
Michigan Instruments (Grand Rapids, USA).

Out of hospital cardiac arrest is a common and highly lethal condition. While about one third of cardiac arrest victims can be treated with rapid defibrillation, the majority require basic CPR, a combination of mouth-to-mouth ventilations and chest compressions that results in artificial circulation of blood. Recent studies have shown the importance of high quality, uninterrupted chest compressions to improve blood flow to the heart and brain.


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