Automated external defibrillator with user interface for adult and pediatric applications

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates generally to electrotherapy apparatus, and more particularly, to automated external defibrillators.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Ventricular fibrillation is a life-threatening medical condition in which the electrical activity of a person's heart becomes unsynchronized, resulting in a loss of ability of the heart to pump blood into the person's circulation system. Ventricular fibrillation may be treated by applying one or more strong electrical pulses to the person's heart which gives it a chance to reinitiate a synchronized rhythm. The electrical pulse must be delivered within a short time after onset of ventricular fibrillation for the person to have a reasonable chance of survival.

[0003] Automated external defibrillators (AEDs) are typically used by first responders, such as police officers, firefighters and EMTs, to resuscitate victims of ventricular fibrillation or other shockable cardiac arrhythmias. AEDs tend to be more lightweight, compact and portable than manual defibrillators. Because first responders typically have less extensive medical training, AEDs are designed with a simple user interface. After attaching the AED electrode pads to the patient, the user instructs the AED to analyze the patient's condition. If the patient is found to have a shockable cardiac rhythm, the user is advised to stand clear while the AED delivers a defibrillation pulse to the patient.

[0004] At present, AEDs are designed to treat adult patients and are not recommended for pediatric patients. Present therapy protocols issued by the American Heart Association for AEDs recommend usage on patients of age eight and above. Nevertheless, cardiac arrest can occur in patients less than eight years old. There is, therefore, a desire for AEDs to be capable of treating pediatric patients.

[0005] Pediatric patients generally require lower energy levels for defibrillation than adult patients. For an AED to provide reduced defibrillation energies to pediatric patients, the AED must recognize when it is attached to a pediatric patient. Some prior art approaches have suggested providing the user with multiple sets of electrodes designed for use with different patients of different ages or weights. The electrode sets provide an electrical or mechanical indication to the AED that identifies which electrode set has been connected to the AED. However, providing multiple electrode sets of this type increases the overall cost of the AED.

[0006] Other approaches in the prior art have suggested providing an energy reduction apparatus that is connected between the AED and the pediatric patient. An AED of this type delivers a defibrillation pulse of adult dosage. For a pediatric patient, however, the energy reduction apparatus reduces the delivered energy to a level presumably appropriate for the pediatric patient. Connecting an energy reduction apparatus as suggested in the prior art requires additional consideration and effort by the user which may delay treatment. It also adds to the complexity and cost of the AED, and is energy inefficient.

[0007] Accordingly, there is a need for an AED that can automatically determine whether it is attached to an adult or pediatric patient based on information entered by the user in the course of AED operation. A need further exists for an AED that adjusts its operational aspects, such as energy delivery, for pediatric patients based on the user-entered information.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] In one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an automated external defibrillator automatically determines the type of patient to which it is attached based on patient-specific information entered by the user. The automated external defibrillator causes a defibrillation pulse to be delivered to the patient in accordance with the determined patient type. Included with the automated external defibrillator are electrodes adapted for placement on the patient. A pulse generator is connected to the electrodes for delivering defibrillation pulses and is controlled by processing circuitry in the automated external defibrillator. A user interface that has a user input connected to the processing circuitry enables the user of the defibrillator to enter the patient-specific information.

[0009] In another exemplary embodiment of the invention, the automated external defibrillator may include a user output that prompts the user to enter patient-specific information. The user enters the patient-specific information by interacting with the user input during a time period in relation to the prompt. The user may enter different patient-specific information depending on the time period in which the user interacts with the user input.

[0010] Examples of patient-specific information that may be entered by the user include information that reflects a range or an approximate age or weight of the patient. The user input may also comprise a variable-length element that is extendable from the defibrillator or from a separate device. The user enters the patient-specific information by extending the element to approximate a physical distance related to the patient, such as the height of the patient or the length of a limb of the patient.

[0011] The processing circuitry in the automated external defibrillator may be configured to determine a defibrillation pulse dosage to be delivered to the patient based on the determined patient type. The processing circuitry may also determine a defibrillation therapy protocol based on the patient determination.

[0012] In yet further embodiments of the invention, the user input may be comprised of two or more separate ports in the automated external defibrillator for connecting electrodes to the defibrillator. The patient-specific information may be communicated by the user to the processing circuitry by virtue of the port to which the user connects the electrodes. For example, one port may be designated for connecting the electrodes to a pediatric patient and another port may be designated for connecting the electrodes to an adult patient.

[0013] The automated external defibrillator may also receive the patient-specific information from an external device, either by wireless or wired communication. Voice recognition capabilities are further possible with the present invention wherein the user enters the patient-specific information by speaking into a microphone in communication with the defibrillator.

[0014] The patient type determination may be made by the processing circuitry in the defibrillator or by a separate processing unit that may be elsewhere in the defibrillator (e.g., in the defibrillator's user interface). Likewise, the determination of an electrotherapy dosage or electrotherapy protocol may be made by either the processing circuitry of the defibrillator or by a separate processing unit in the user interface or the pulse generator.

[0015] In another aspect of the present invention, data pertaining to identification of the type of patient connected to the electrodes may be recorded with event data in a memory. Event data generally includes data related to the defibrillator's evaluation of the patient and delivery (if any) of defibrillation therapy. Recording the patient type with the event data provides further information about the patient for later evaluation.

[0016] The present invention also contemplates an automated external defibrillator that adjusts therapy delivery and/or event data recording based directly on the user-entered patient-specific information.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

P-0017[0017] The foregoing aspects and many of the attendant advantages of this invention will become more readily appreciated as the same become better understood by reference to the following detailed description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

P-0018[0018]FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an automated external defibrillator constructed in accordance with the present invention showing major components thereof;

P-0019[0019]FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing major components of a user interface as illustrated in FIG. 1;

P-0020[0020]FIG. 3 is a pictorial diagram of an automated external defibrillator including a variable-length element that extends from the defibrillator to measure a physical distance related to a patient in accordance with the present invention; and

P-0021[0021]FIG. 4 is a flow diagram illustrating a patient analysis and defibrillation process conducted in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

P-0022[0022] An automated external defibrillator (“AED”) constructed in accordance with the present invention receives patient-specific information from a user of the defibrillator during the course of operating the defibrillator. The patient-specific information entered by the user enables the AED to determine the type of patient to which it is connected (e.g., an adult or pediatric patient.) The AED may automatically determine the dosage for a defibrillation pulse to be delivered to the patient based on the patient determination. The AED may also automatically modify the information output to the user based on the patient determination.

P-0023[0023]FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an AED <b>10</b> constructed in accordance with the present invention. The AED <b>10</b> includes processing circuitry <b>12</b> in communication with a memory <b>14</b>. The processing circuitry <b>12</b> may include one or more integrated circuits (e.g., microprocessors) or other electronic circuitry capable of controlling the operation of the AED <b>10</b>. Embodiments of the invention using digital components for the processing circuitry <b>12</b> preferably operate in accordance with programmed instructions stored in the memory <b>14</b>.

P-0024[0024] The processing circuitry <b>12</b> controls the overall operation of the AED <b>10</b>, including the delivery of defibrillation therapy to patients. In communication with the processing circuitry <b>12</b> is a pulse generator <b>16</b> that is configured to deliver defibrillation therapy to a patient via electrodes <b>18</b> that are placed on the patient.

P-0025[0025] The pulse generator <b>16</b> may include conventional components for generating and delivering defibrillation pulses. In that regard, the pulse generator <b>16</b> generally includes an energy source (e.g., a battery), an energy storage device, (e.g., a capacitor), and a switch. When defibrillation therapy is to be delivered via the electrodes <b>18</b>, the pulse generator <b>16</b> uses the energy source to charge the energy storage device to a desired level. The switch in the pulse generator <b>16</b> is then operated to connect the energy storage device to the electrodes <b>18</b>, thereby permitting the energy in the energy storage device to flow from one electrode <b>18</b> through the patient to the other electrode <b>18</b>. In embodiments where a multiphasic defibrillation pulse is delivered to the patient, the switch may be operated to reverse the flow of energy through the patient after an initial energy pulse is delivered to the patient.

P-0026[0026] The operation of the switch may be controlled by processing circuitry in the pulse generator <b>16</b> or by other processing circuitry, such as the AED's processing circuitry <b>12</b>. The charging operation of the energy storage device may also be controlled by processing circuitry in the pulse generator <b>16</b> or by the AED's processing circuitry <b>12</b>.

P-0027[0027] As will be discussed further below, the pulse generator <b>16</b> is preferably configured to permit the processing circuitry <b>12</b> to receive ECG signals and/or other patient signals (heart sounds, patient impedance signals, etc.) sensed by the electrodes <b>18</b>. The processing circuitry <b>12</b> analyzes the ECG signals, for instance, to determine whether a cardiac rhythm treatable by defibrillation therapy is present in the patient.

P-0028[0028] After attaching the electrodes <b>18</b> to a patient (which electrodes may be selected from one or more electrode sets provided for use with the AED <b>10</b>), a user of the AED <b>10</b> enters information into the AED that is specific to the patient to which the AED <b>10</b> is connected. A preferred embodiment of the AED <b>10</b>, therefore, includes a user interface <b>20</b> configured to receive the patient-specific information from the user.

P-0029[0029] One exemplary embodiment of the user interface <b>20</b> is illustrated in FIG. 2. In FIG. 2, the user interface <b>20</b> includes a user input <b>22</b> and a user output <b>24</b>, both of which are in communication with a processing unit <b>26</b>. The processing unit <b>26</b> is preferably configured to communicate information to and from the AED's processing circuitry <b>12</b>.

P-0030[0030] The user input <b>22</b> may be comprised of one or more conventional input devices, such a button, key, knob, switch, and the like. The user input <b>22</b> may be a single such device, or it may include a plurality of such devices. The user input <b>22</b> may also include an external device that inputs information to the AED <b>10</b> via an input port in the AED, or via a wireless or hardwired connection to the AED. In any regard, during the course of operating the AED <b>10</b>, the user of the AED interacts with the user input <b>22</b> to provide the AED with information that is specific to the patient. In a preferred embodiment, the patient-specific information reflects the magnitude of a physical attribute of the patient. This information may include, by nonlimiting example, an approximate age or weight of the patient. The patient-specific information may also be provided as a range, such as an age range or weight range of the patient. Depending on the patient-specific information entered by the user, the AED determines whether the patient is an adult or pediatric patient. The AED may use a preprogrammed algorithm that classifies patients under a certain age or weight (e.g., &lt;8 years old or 25 kg) as “pediatric” patient type and all other patients as “adult” patient type. Other ages or weights (or ranges thereof) may be used. The present invention also contemplates an AED using more than two patient types to classify the patient.

P-0031[0031] Other types of patient-specific information may be entered by the user. For example, the patient-specific information may be a measurement of a physical distance related to the patient, such as the patient's height, or the length of a limb of the patient. In that regard, the user input <b>22</b> may include a variable-length element that is extendable from the AED or from a separate device to measure a physical distance. For example, FIG. 3 depicts the AED <b>10</b> with a retractable tape <b>28</b> that has been extended to measure the length of a patient's arm. The retractable tape <b>28</b> may operate in a manner similar to the Broselow tape system used for pediatric emergency medicine. In the Broselow tape system, a tape measure is divided into several color-coded lengths. Each length class has predefined dosages for medicines and sizes for intubation devices, catheters, etc. When the tape <b>28</b> is extended from the AED <b>10</b> to measure the length or height of the patient's body or limb thereof, markings on the tape <b>28</b> provide information to the user that the user may then enter into the AED. The AED <b>10</b> may also be advantageously configured with optical or electrical sensors that automatically detect the final length of the tape <b>28</b> that has been extended from the AED. Depending on the final length of the tape <b>28</b>, the AED <b>10</b> may automatically determine whether the patient is an adult or pediatric patient and modify its operation accordingly. The determination of the patient as an adult or pediatric patient may rely on standard human growth charts that relate a height or length of the patient to an expected age or weight. In implementations where the variable-length element is extendable from a separate device, the device is preferably configured to communicate the length of the element to the AED, by either wired or wireless communication, when the element has been extended.

P-0032[0032] Returning to FIG. 2, the patient-specific information entered by the user via the user input <b>22</b> is communicated to the processing unit <b>26</b> of the user interface <b>20</b>. The processing unit <b>26</b> preferably controls the operation of the user interface <b>20</b>. The processing unit <b>26</b> may also be configured to control other processes in the AED <b>10</b>. For example, an embodiment of the invention may include a user interface <b>20</b> with a processing unit <b>26</b> that is configured to automatically determine an electrotherapy dosage to be delivered to the patient based on the patient determination. If the AED has determined the patient to be a pediatric patient, the AED preferably determines a lower electrotherapy dosage (e.g., 50 joules for a defibrillation pulse) to deliver to the patient. If the patient is determined to be an adult, the AED may deliver a higher electrotherapy dosage (e.g., 200 joules) for the patient. The determined defibrillation dosage is then communicated to the AED <b>10</b>, either to the AED processing circuitry <b>12</b> or directly to the pulse generator <b>16</b>. The processing unit <b>26</b> may be further configured to automatically cause the pulse generator <b>16</b> to deliver the defibrillation pulse to the patient in accordance with the selected dosage.

P-0033[0033] In yet another embodiment of the invention, the processing unit <b>26</b> or AED processing circuitry <b>12</b> may be configured to automatically determine an electrotherapy protocol for the patient based on the patient determination. For example, in circumstances where the AED <b>10</b> determines it is connected to an adult patient, the processing circuitry <b>12</b> may select a protocol of three defibrillation pulses of predetermined energy, e.g., 200 joules, 300 joules, and 360 joules, to be delivered to the patient. If the electrotherapy protocol is determined by the user interface processing unit <b>26</b>, the protocol may be communicated from the processing unit <b>26</b> to the AED processing circuitry <b>12</b> so that the processing circuitry <b>12</b> can control the therapy delivery in accordance with the determined protocol.

P-0034[0034] The user output <b>24</b> may be used in connection with the user input <b>22</b> to assist in entry of the patient-specific information. For example, the user output <b>24</b> may be used to prompt the user to enter the patient-specific information. The user output <b>24</b> may be comprised of conventional components for communicating information, including, for example, a display screen, one or more LEDs, a speaker for audible communication, an output port for signal communication with another device, and/or a printer.

P-0035[0035] In further embodiments of the invention, the user may enter patient-specific information into the AED <b>10</b> by interacting with the user input <b>22</b> during a time period in relation to a prompt given to the user via the user output <b>24</b>. For example, the user output <b>24</b> may provide the following prompt to the user: “If patient is less than age 8, press button now.” At this point, the user interface <b>20</b> waits for the user to interact with the user input (i.e., button) <b>22</b>. If the user interacts with the user input <b>22</b>, within a predetermined time period following the prompt, the processing unit <b>26</b> in the user interface <b>20</b> interprets the user interaction as confirming that the patient is less than 8 years old. If the predetermined time period expires without user interaction with the user input <b>22</b>, the processing unit <b>26</b> may conclude that the patient is age 8 or above. Alternatively, the AED may separately request the user to confirm that the patient is age 8 or above, by interacting with the user input <b>22</b>. If the user still fails to interact with the user input <b>22</b>, the AED may either cycle back to the first prompt (patient less than age 8) or immediately conclude the patient is an adult. The information thus received by the processing unit <b>26</b> may then be communicated to the AED processing circuitry <b>12</b>.

P-0036[0036] In the foregoing example, the designation of age 8 (for pediatric patients) is consistent with current American Heart Association guidelines, but nonetheless is not required. Other embodiments of the invention may prompt the user to interact with the user interface to indicate the patient is of a different age or age range. Furthermore, the user interface <b>20</b> may prompt the user for information related to other aspects of the patient, including the patient's approximate weight, height, etc. This information may similarly be entered by giving the user a prompt and permitting the user to respond in a predetermined time period in relation to the prompt.

P-0037[0037] Multiple prompts may also be used in connection with these embodiments of the invention. For example, the user interface <b>20</b> may prompt the user, either verbally or visually, with the following prompt: “If the patient is age 4 or less, press button now.” If the user does not interact with the user input <b>22</b> within a predetermined time period following this prompt, the user interface <b>20</b> may follow up with another prompt, such as: “If patient is between age 4 and age 8, press button now.” Other prompts may follow, depending on the user's interaction (or lack of interaction) with the user input <b>22</b> following the prompts.

P-0038[0038] Further embodiments of the invention may include a user input <b>22</b> with voice recognition capabilities. Conventional software providing voice recognition may be integrated into the AED <b>10</b> to provide a user with a streamlined user interface <b>20</b>. Generally speaking, voice recognition algorithms typically require a triggering event, such as a spoken trigger word or other user interaction (e.g., turning the AED on), to prepare the AED to receive a voice activated input. Other embodiments of the invention may provide a prompt to the user via the user output <b>24</b> to signal the user to provide voice activated input. For example, the AED <b>10</b> may visually or audibly ask the user to state the patient's approximate weight, age, or height.

P-0039[0039] In any regard, following the triggering event or prompt, the AED <b>10</b> waits for the user to supply the requested patient-specific information. Various embodiments of the invention may include a microphone integrated with the AED, a microphone configured to attach to the user's body or in a headset that the user places on his or her head. Microphones that are closer to the user will have a better signal-to-noise ratio for filtering out voices and noises of others that are nearby. Battery-powered wireless communication technology may be used to simplify the placement of a microphone on the user. The user then audibly states the patient-specific information, which is recognized and acted on by the AED <b>10</b>.

P-0040[0040] Electrodes may also be configured for user selection so that when the electrodes are connected to the AED, an indicator in the electrodes indicates the electrode configuration to the AED. The AED may then determine the patient type based on the user-selected electrode configuration. Examples of electrodes having an indicator to identify the electrode configuration are suitably found in U.S. patent application No. 10/094,949 titled THERAPY AND MONITORING ELECTRODES WITH PATIENT ACCOMMODATING FEATURES, assigned to the assignee of the present invention, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein. Other commercially-available electrodes having configuration indicators may also be used.

P-0041[0041] Based on the patient-specific information entered by the user, the AED <b>10</b> automatically determines whether the patient to which the AED is connected is an adult or pediatric patient. Where, for example, the patient-specific information is the patient's approximate age (or age range), the AED <b>10</b> may determine that the patient is a pediatric patient if the patient's age falls below a predetermined threshold (e.g., &lt;8 years old). Other information received from the user may be similarly processed to determine whether the patient is an adult or pediatric patient. Where the patient-specific information communicates a physical measurement of the patient, such as an approximate weight, height, length, etc., this information may be compared with a predetermined threshold to classify the patient type. For example, if the user enters the patient's approximate weight and it exceeds a predetermined threshold, the AED <b>10</b> may conclude that the patient is an adult; otherwise, the AED concludes it is attached to a pediatric patient. The predetermined threshold may be based on standard growth charts that correlate patient size to typical patient age. The AED's determination of whether the patient is an adult or pediatric patient may be communicated to the user via the user output <b>24</b>.

P-0042[0042] The AED <b>10</b> may take a number of different actions depending on the AED's determination of patient type. In one aspect, the AED <b>10</b> may adjust the amount of energy or the duration of defibrillation therapy to be delivered to the patient. Where the patient is a pediatric patient, the AED may automatically scale down the defibrillation therapy to a level appropriate for the pediatric patient. Likewise, if the AED determines it is connected to an adult patient, the AED may continue to deliver defibrillation therapy that is appropriate for an adult.

P-0043[0043] Interpolation or extrapolation from predetermined energy levels may also be provided. Patient-specific information entered by the user that reflects a particular age or weight (or age range or weight range) may cause the AED <b>10</b> to adjust the defibrillation therapy for the indicated age or weight of the patient. In other words, different amounts of energy may be delivered to patients of different age or weight, as appropriate. Other therapy parameters, such as pulse duration, tilt, peak current, or peak voltage for example, may be adjusted for the patient according to the patient-specific information entered by the user.

P-0044[0044] In another aspect, the AED <b>10</b> may modify information that is output to the user, including information communicated via the user output <b>24</b>, depending on the patient type determined by the AED. The AED <b>10</b> may also modify information recorded in the memory <b>14</b>, such as event data, that is stored for later download and review by the user or by others. Output information that is modified in this respect may include, for example, the amount of energy delivered to the patient. This is particularly advantageous for embodiments of the invention where an adult electrotherapy dosage is generated for all patients but routed through energy reduction circuitry for pediatric patients that reduces the amount of energy actually delivered to the patient. For pediatric patients, the event data reflecting energy delivered would not be based on the adult dosage to which the AED was prepared to deliver, but instead would identify the reduced amount of energy actually delivered to the patient.

P-0045[0045]FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary patient analysis and defibrillation process <b>30</b> conducted in accordance with the present invention. At a first block <b>32</b>, the operation of the AED is initialized. At the same time or shortly thereafter, the defibrillation electrodes <b>18</b> of the AED <b>10</b> are placed on the patient. Once the electrodes <b>18</b> are connected to the AED <b>10</b> and attached to the patient, and the AED <b>10</b> is ready for operation, the AED receives patient-specific information entered by the user, as indicated at block <b>34</b>. At block <b>36</b>, the AED uses the patient-specific information to determine the type of patient being treated, e.g., infant patient, pediatric patient, adult patient, etc.

P-0046[0046] At block <b>38</b>, the AED performs an analysis of the patient. In this regard, the AED may obtain various electrical signals and parameters from the patient, including electrocardiogram (ECG) data. ECG signals obtained from the patient via the electrodes <b>18</b> may be amplified and filtered in the AED in a conventional manner, and converted into digitized ECG data for evaluation by the AED's processing circuitry <b>12</b>.

P-0047[0047] Preferably, the processing circuitry <b>12</b> evaluates the patient's ECG signals in accordance with programmed instructions stored in the memory <b>14</b> that carry out an ECG evaluation process. The ECG evaluation process determines whether a defibrillation pulse should be provided to the patient. One suitable method for determining whether to apply a defibrillation shock based on a patient's ECG signals is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,610,254, which is assigned to the assignee of the present invention and the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein. Other shock advisory algorithms known in the art may be used in this aspect of the invention.

P-0048[0048] If, at decision block <b>40</b>, the processing circuitry <b>12</b> determines that delivery of a defibrillation pulse is appropriate, the processing circuitry <b>12</b> preferably determines an appropriate dosage of energy to be delivered to the patient, as indicated at block <b>42</b>. Known algorithms for determining a defibrillation energy dosage may be used. For example, if the patient is determined to be a pediatric patient, the energy delivered may be a predetermined amount of energy, such as 80 joules. The same algorithm may prescribe 25 joules for an infant, while adult patients receive 200 joules in a defibrillation pulse.

P-0049[0049] Other algorithms may prescribe a percentage of the adult-recommended dosage for pediatric or infant patients, e.g., 35%, which represents a 65% reduction from an adult dosage. Different energy levels may be set for patients of different age, weight, or size, depending on the patient-specific information that is entered by the user. For example, a suitable guideline, such as 2 joules per kilogram (patient weight), may be used to determine the appropriate dosage.

P-0050[0050] At block <b>44</b>, the AED <b>10</b> prompts the user with a message “Shock advised” and commences charging an energy storage device in the pulse generator <b>16</b>. The energy storage device is charged to a level that will cause a defibrillation pulse to be delivered to the patient in accordance with the determined defibrillation pulse dosage.

P-0051[0051] Once the energy storage device is charged, the AED <b>10</b> is armed and ready to deliver the defibrillation pulse to the patient, as indicated at block <b>46</b>. In that regard, the AED <b>10</b> may give user the following prompt: “Stand clear . . . Push to shock.” At that point, the AED <b>10</b> may wait for the user to push a specified button or otherwise interact with the AED to initiate delivery of the defibrillation pulse. (For a fully automatic AED, the pulse is automatically delivered without user intervention; there is no shock button.) In the example provided, once the shock button is pushed, the defibrillation pulse is delivered to the patient, as indicated at block <b>48</b>. The process <b>30</b> may then return to block <b>38</b> to reanalyze the patient and determine whether the defibrillation pulse was successful or whether another defibrillation pulse is necessary.

P-0052[0052] If, at decision block <b>40</b>, the processing circuitry <b>12</b> determines that the patient does not have a shockable cardiac rhythm, and therefore a defibrillation pulse is not advised, the AED <b>10</b> may proceed to a monitoring mode, as indicated at block <b>50</b>, and monitor patient signals, such as the patient's ECG. In the monitoring mode, the AED <b>10</b> may prompt the user with: “No shock advised . . . Monitoring patient.” The monitoring may continue for a predetermined period of time. Alternatively, the monitoring may continue indefinitely until an anomaly or some other event is detected in the patient's condition. When the monitoring is terminated, the process <b>30</b> preferably returns to analyzing the patient's condition as indicated at block <b>38</b>.

P-0053[0053] During the monitoring in block <b>50</b>, the AED <b>10</b> may also prompt the user to deliver alternative therapy to the patient. For instance, the AED may prompt the user to commence cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) or deliver one or more drugs (e.g., by injection) to the patient. These user prompts, as well as other prompts provided to the user throughout the operation of the AED, may be modified based on the AED's patient determination or the patient-specific information that is entered by the user. If, for example, the AED <b>10</b> has determined from the patient-specific information that the patient is a pediatric patient, the AED may prompt the user with: “Use infant face mask to deliver respiration.”

P-0054[0054] An AED constructed according to the present invention has an advantage of being able to automatically recognize and treat patients of all ages and sizes. The operation of the AED remains simple as the AED determines the type of patient it is treating by using the patient-specific information that is entered by the user in the course of operating the defibrillator. The patient-specific information (or the patient type derived from the patient-specific information) is used by the AED to adjust its operation to address the particular patient being treated.

P-0055[0055] The patient-specific information may also be used to modify an event recording process in the AED <b>10</b>. When the AED <b>10</b> is attached to a patient for analysis and delivery of electrotherapy, the AED may collect data regarding the event and retain the data in a memory, where it is available for later download and review. In accordance with the present invention, the AED <b>10</b> may record with the event data the user-entered patient-specific information (and/or patient type determined from the patient-specific information). This additional information identifies the data as pertaining to an adult or pediatric patient.

P-0056[0056] The AED <b>10</b> may also modify the event data it records based on the patient type determination. For example, an AED may be configured to provide an adult dosage of defibrillation therapy in all cases to all patients. For pediatric patients, however, the user connects an energy attenuator (e.g., resistor) in the circuit path between the AED and the patient, which reduces the amount of energy actually delivered to the patient. Alternatively, the AED <b>10</b> may automatically switch a resistor or resistor network into the circuit path with the electrodes once it determines the patient to be a pediatric patient. From the perspective of the AED's energy storage device, it appears that an adult dosage of energy was delivered. However, with the present invention, the AED recognizes when it is attached to a pediatric patient and energy attenuation has occurred. Rather than recording the delivery of an adult-size energy dosage, which in fact did not occur, the AED <b>10</b> instead records the reduced amount of energy expected to result from the energy attenuator.

P-0057[0057] While several embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, it will be appreciated that various changes can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, a separate processing unit <b>26</b> in the user interface <b>20</b> is not required. The user input <b>22</b> and user output <b>24</b> may be directly connected to the AED's processing circuitry <b>12</b>. Moreover, it should be understood that the terms “adult” and “pediatric” as used herein are not meant to be limiting to any specific age group or patient size. Rather, the terms “adult” and “pediatric” are indicators of patient types which the AED <b>10</b> may determine from the patient-specific information entered by the user. Additional patient types or subtypes, such as “infant,” may also be defined within, in addition to, or in place of “adult” and “pediatric” patient types.

P-0058[0058] Furthermore, embodiments of the invention set forth above describe the AED <b>10</b> as modifying aspects of its operation based on the AED's determination of the type of patient to which it is connected. However, it should also be understood that the AED <b>10</b> may modify its operation in the manner described above based directly on the user-entered patient-specific information. In that regard, for example, if the user enters information reflecting an estimated age of the patient, the AED <b>10</b> may automatically adjust the delivery of defibrillation therapy in accordance with the patient's age, without first determining the patient type from the patient-specific information. The AED <b>10</b> may also modify its operation at the same time as determining the patient type from the patient-specific information.

P-0059[0059] It should also be recognized that the advantages of the present invention may be achieved in a hybrid defibrillator that can selectably operate in manual or AED mode. As with the AED embodiments described above, the hybrid defibrillator may automatically adjust its delivery of defibrillation therapy based on the patient information entered into the defibrillator by the user.

P-0060[0060] The scope of invention, therefore, should be determined in reference to the following claims and equivalents thereto.