Pocket-Sized CPR Rescue Device Has MEMS Inside

ZOLL Medical Corporation is using the latest MEMS technology from Analog Devices Inc. (ADI) to enable its palm-sized CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) device that measures the rate and depth of chest compressions administered by rescuers. The PocketCPR device uses an ADI digital iMEMS accelerometer to convert the motion of PocketCPR into real-time measurement data to accurately read the rate and depth of CPR chest compressions. This helps rescuers achieve the right amount of force and frequency of chest compressions recommended by the American Heart Association (AHA).

“By working with engineers at Analog Devices, we were able to turn our vision of developing a small, affordable CPR rescue device into reality,” says Mark Totman, president of Bio-Detek, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of ZOLL that developed and manufactures the PocketCPR. “Many people are reluctant to perform CPR because they are not trained to do so or lack the confidence to perform this life-saving rescue procedure. PocketCPR gives them the assurance they need to perform CPR in an emergency.”

Approved by the FDA as an over-the-counter rescue device, PocketCPR provides the user with prompts to encourage a compression depth of 1.5 to 2 in. as recommended by the AHA and International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation (ILCOR). The device instructs the rescuer to “push harder” if the compressions are less than 1.5 in. If good compressions are delivered, PocketCPR will respond with “good compressions.” A metronome helps the user achieve the proper rate of compression.

PocketCPR uses Analog Devices’ ADXL322 iMEMS low g high-performance accelerometer with signal-conditioned voltage outputs. Operating on power supplies as low as 2.7 VDC, the accelerometer typically consumes only 340 micro amps, and can be power-cycled for even greater battery life. The typical noise floor is less than 220 micro g per root hertz, allowing small tilt changes to be sensed using the narrow bandwidths (<10 Hz) typical of human motion. Selectable bandwidths of 0.5 Hz to 2.5 kHz allow additional flexibility to suit the application. Other products in ADI’s digital iMEMS accelerometer portfolio include the ADXL345, ADXL327 and ADXL325.

Tags: Analog Devices Inc., CPR, MEMS, ZOLL Medical Corporation