Intelligent Public-Access Defibrillator Helps Save Lives

The intelligent public access defibrillator (IPAD) CU-SP1 AED is intended to assist in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) by lay bystanders in public locations, and includes a pair of preconnected pads that are suitable for both adults and children, with appropriate voice instruction and flashing indicators per use. A large liquid crystal display (LCD) shows device status, battery status, and pad status. The device also checks the proper connection of the pads to the device and recognizes correct usage; a specific message is generated to the user when the pads are used for the second time.

A further feature of the device is easy communication with proprietary CU-EX1 software, which provides usage history such as operation time, shockable rhythms, ventricular fibrillation, ventricular tachycardia, and shock delivery details. The internal memory can store a maximum five events; it is also able to save a maximum of three hours of ECG analysis, aggregating shock delivery as one event. An Infrared Data Association (IrDA) port and a SD memory card to where the events are saved and transferred to makes data management easily accessible.

Specifications of the AED include an energy output of 150 Joules for adults and 50 Joules for pediatric use, and a charge time of less than 8 seconds between shocks. Since the CU-SP1 AED is intended for use in public places--often in poor surroundings such as a crowded subway station, airports and noisy streets, where it can be difficult to listen to the voice prompts--the CU-SP1 can automatically adjust the volume of the voice prompts, turning the volume up to the decibel that the lay rescuer can hear clearly listens. Once attained, the device maintains that volume. The CU-SP1 AED is a product of CU Medical Systems (Gangwon, Korea).

Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) kills approximately 365,000 people in the United States alone every year, with as many as 50% of SCA victims demonstrating no prior indication of heart disease. A further 370,000 to 750,000 patients will have a SCA and undergo attempted resuscitation during their hospital stay. The chance of an SCA victim's survival decreases by 10% for every minute that passes, so in order to be effective, defibrillation treatment must be administered within the first few minutes of SCA.

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