MEDICA is the worldâs largest event for the medical sector. For more than 40 years it has been firmly established on every expertâs calendar. There are many reasons why MEDICA is so unique.
The event is the largest medical trade fair in the world â it attracts several thousand exhibitors from more than 50 countries in the halls.
Intelesens will be located Hall 15, block A34.
We look forward to seeing you there!
This aim of this article is to highlight some current challenges and emerging solutions in wearable sensors. Currently, investigation efforts are aimed at expanding the application scenarios and at translating early developments from basic research to widespread adoption in personal health monitoring for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. This translation requires addressing several old and new challenges that are summarized in this article. Â The special issue “Emerging technologies in wearable sensors” includes four selected contributions from leading researchers, exploring the topic from different perspectives. The aim is to provide the readers with a solid and timely overall vision of the field and with some recent examples of wearable sensors, exploring new research avenues.
For full article see link below;
Introducing the Access to AEDs Act is a bill to support life-saving response to sudden cardiac arrest in student athletes. This bill was introduced following Damar Hamlinâs On-Field Cardiac Arrest in January of this year.
If passed, the legislation would create a federal grant program for schools to purchase, maintain, and provide training for automated external defibrillators and to create athlete screening programs, says the office of Rep. Brian Higgins (D-N.Y.). Funding can also be used to purchase and maintain AEDs, replace outdated CPR and AED equipment, and provide training to students, staff, and related sports volunteers.
Additionally, it can be used to develop Cardiac Emergency Response Plans and assist school athletic departments in creating heart screening programs for student athletes. The proposed legislation, would make AEDs and CPR training more accessible elementary and secondary schools across the country. Both public and private schools are included in this act.
For full press release see link below;
Congressman Higgins Announces Legislation Improving Access to AEDs | U.S. Representative (house.gov)
What Are Defibrillator Pads
Defibrillator pads are adhesive electrodes that are placed on a person’s chest to deliver an electrical shock to the heart when it is not beating effectively. Defibrillator pads are an essential part of an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) to treat a sudden cardiac arrest emergency. These adhesive pads are placed on the bare chest of a patient and are usually placed on the upper right and lower left sides of the chest, which allows for transmission of an electric current to the heart that can restore its normal rhythm. Defibrillator pads are designed to be easy to use, with clear instructions for placement and operation.
Once the defibrillator pads are placed at the specified location, an AED will monitor the heart rhythm of the patient and diagnose whether a defibrillator shock is required or not. Defibrillator pads are essential to create a connection between the Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) patientâs body and the AED
It’s important to note that defibrillator pads are not the same as regular adhesive electrodes that are used for monitoring heart activity. Defibrillator pads are specifically designed to deliver a high-energy shock to the heart, while monitoring electrodes are used to track the heart’s activity and do not deliver a shock.
Why are AEDs used?
AEDs are used to treat the patient of SCA which is a leading cause of cardiac death throughout the world. SCA is the result of irregular heart rhythms (arrhythmias) that can cause the heart to suddenly stop beating. SCA is a serious health issue that can affect people of all ages and backgrounds. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), an estimated 17.9 million people die from cardiovascular diseases, including SCA, each year.
How Do Automated External Defibrillator Pads Work?
Defibrillator pads work by allowing the AED machine to detect abnormal heart rhythms and provide a pathway for electrical current to pass between the pads and the patient. In laymanâs terms, AEDs are lifesavers. They work by sending an electric shock to re-align the heart rhythm to normal allowing it to pump blood efficiently again.
AEDs come with accessories that must be maintained and do expire over time. These are often referred to as the AED disposables and are made up of electrode pads and the AED battery. Just like other parts of an external defibrillator, AED pads also have great importance.
About Intelesens;
Intelesens is a leading design development & manufacturer of these AED pads, otherwise known as defibrillator disposable accessories. We manufacture the longest shelf life on the market, currently at 5.5 years. Manufactured to the highest quality standards, we are proud of our strong technical and production expertise built around our customerâs exacting needs and requirements. Based on our customer requirements, we can develop and manufacture a range of electrode types.
Resources;
Defibrillators (AEDs and PADs) – how and why to use them | British Heart Foundation – BHF
Those who have a history of heart surgery or have had a heart device implanted, the chances of experiencing a cardiac emergency may increase. Thatâs why itâs important to have an Automated External Defibrillator on hand in case of a medical emergency.
An AED is a portable device that can be used to deliver an electric shock to the heart in the event of a cardiac arrest. Itâs designed to be used by trained responders in a medical emergency, and most models are easy to operate with clear instructions and visual prompts.
Having an AED on hand can be a life-saving tool in the event of a cardiac emergency. Cardiac arrest is a leading cause of death, but early defibrillation can greatly increase the chances of survival. In fact, studies have shown that for every minute that defibrillation is delayed, the chances of survival decrease by about 10%.
Owning an AED not only has the potential to save a life, but it can also provide peace of mind and a sense of security for individuals and their families. Knowing that you have an AED available in the event of an emergency can give you the confidence to take action and potentially make a difference in a critical situation.
There are different types of AEDs available on the market, and itâs important to select one that is appropriate for your needs and budget. Some factors to consider when choosing an AED include:
The type of battery or power source,
The size and weight of the device,
Other additional features or accessories.
To ensure that you are prepared to use an AED in the event of an emergency, itâs a good idea to receive training or access educational materials on how to use the device and recognize the signs of a cardiac emergency. This can help you feel more confident and prepared to use the AED if needed.
In conclusion, having an AED on hand is an important consideration for individuals with a history of heart surgery or a heart device implanted. It can be a life-saving tool in the event of a cardiac emergency, and owning an AED can provide peace of mind and a sense of security for individuals and their families. Be sure to choose the right AED for your needs and consider receiving training or accessing educational materials to help you understand how to use the device and recognize the signs of a cardiac emergency.
Why It’s Important for People with Heart Conditions to Own an AED (aedbrands.com)
Factors to Consider when using an AED
Â
When treating a victim that has gone into cardiac arrest there are a few considerations to be made when it comes to using an AED (automated external defibrillator).
These considerations need to be made on
If In doubt, start performing chest compressions and have someone contact emergency medical services via phone before you deliver an electric shock. Â If there are obvious signs of a cardiac arrest, acting fast will increase the patientâs chance of survivalâno matter what other factors are present.
Treating a Paediatric Patient
Cardiac arrest in children is rare but still a possibility. Child patients require a reduced electrical shock if they are under eight years old or weigh less than 55 pounds. To cater to paediatric patients, some external defibrillators have a special paediatric setting, and others come with child electrode pads (either included with the device or sold separately).
For a child under age eight, adjusting an AED can be seen in example such as the below;
If no child pads are available, and your device doesnât have a child setting, you can use standard adult pads. However, the chest placement is different for paediatric patients. One pad should be placed in the centre of the chest, and the other in the centre of the back. Use this placement for paediatric patients, whether you use adult or child pads.
See image below for reference;
For an infant under 12 months, a manual defibrillator is more appropriate than an AED (automated defibrillator) âespecially if no paediatric pads are available. However, itâs much better to use a portable defibrillator (with paediatric or adult pads) than to do nothing at all.
Treating a Sweaty or Water-Submerged Patient
Special considerations when using an AED with a patient also apply when the patient is wet or damp from sweat. Because water is an excellent conductor of electricity, the power of the shock would be dispersed across the patientâs body and be less effective where itâs needed the most.
When treating a victim of cardiac arrest who is wet or damp, remove them from the water (if they are immersed) and take them to a dry place. Dry off their chest area as much as possible and apply the electrode pads. There is no need to completely dry the patient from head to toe as time is of the essence, focus only on completely drying the chest area, specifically the area between the pads.
The most important factor is that the victimâs chest be dry so that the shock is delivered straight to the heart. If the victim is in a puddle or lying on a wet area of the floor but their chest is dry, simply move them away from the water and use the defibrillator as normal.
Treating a Patient with a Hairy Chest
When a cardiac arrest victim has excessive chest hair, it may be difficult for the electrode pad to analyse their heart rhythm and deliver an appropriately timed shock. This is because the hair would lift the pad up and off the patientâs chest, preventing full contact with the skin. The hair would also make it more difficult for the gel on the electrode pad to adhere to the skin.
There are three main solutions to the issue of chest hair, as recommended by the American Heart Associationâs Basic Life Support Manual:Â BLS Provider Manual eBook (heart.org)
Treating a Patient with a Transdermal Medication Patch
Transdermal medication patches have been used since the 1970’s to deliver active medication, such as a hormone or nicotine, at a gradual rate through the skin. In the case of a cardiac arrest, medication patches present a burn hazard when using an external automated defibrillator if the shock is delivered over the patch.
Before applying an AED, remove the medication patch and wipe any sticky residue off the patientâs skin. Itâs a good idea to wear gloves when removing the patch so that the medication is not absorbed through your skin.
Treating a Patient with a Pacemaker or Implantable Defibrillator
Pacemakers and implantable defibrillators make up the last category of special considerations when using an AED. If you place an AED directly over a pacemaker or defibrillator, the device may block the delivery of the shock. Instead, place the electrode pad a few inches lower or try an anterior-posterior (front-and-back) pad placement instead.
You can usually tell if a cardiac arrest victim has an implanted pacemaker or defibrillator because they will have a scar on either side of their upper chest or abdomen with a hard lump the size of a deck of playing cards or smaller. Most often this will be near the heart, on the left side of the chest, in which case it will not interfere with the standard pad placements. If they have suffered a sudden cardiac arrest, itâs almost certain that the device has stopped working. Donât worry about damaging the device as this can be replaced.
Conclusion
With a few simple adjustments, you can use an automated external defibrillator on the patients mentioned above, as you would on any other. Make sure your AED is equipped with paediatric pads, a razor, and a pair of gloves and you should be ready for anything.
Â
Special Considerations When Using an AED Device (aedleader.com)
Difference between Anterior-posterior vs Anterolateral
There are two basic positions for AED pad placement:
The first position is usually used on children, and the second position is used on adults. However, an anterior-posterior placement can be used on adults as well with slightly different pad placement. Instead of placing the defibrillator pads on the centre of the chest and back, place one pad just below the left nipple and the second pad on the left side of the back, directly below the scapula or wing bone.
The Importance of knowing How to Use an AED
Â
In our two previous posts we have discussed both the Importance of AEDs and Importance of how to access them.
Now we delve into the Importance of knowing how use an Automated External Defibrillator.
The first step is to determine whether a defibrillator is actually needed. An automated external defibrillator should only be used on someone suffering sudden cardiac arrest, presenting as unconscious and not breathing. It should never be used on a patient suffering a heart attack, who is still conscious and breathing. If a person is suffering from cardiac arrest, theyâll be unresponsive without a palpable pulse, and not breathing or gasping for air.
Â
Before using the AED
If someone goes into cardiac arrest, itâs important to call emergency services immediately. If multiple bystanders are available, have someone else call 9-1-1 for example in the USA and retrieve the defibrillator while you perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Otherwise, if no one else is around, call 9-1-1 yourself and turn on the AED.
Before using the device, the user must ensure that the scene is free from any potential accident-causing material. For example, if the sudden cardiac arrest is caused by electrocution, make sure that thereâs no live wire nearby.
During cardiac arrest, the heart does not pump blood to the other organs, so organ failure can occur in just minutes. Thatâs why itâs important to start emergency procedures immediately while someone else calls for help. Every minute is critical.
Here are the simple steps to follow:
Remember, an AED can save lives. That being said, learning the basic knowledge of how to administer CPR and other first aid techniques would always be an advantage in saving someone elseâs life, until a professional medic arrives.
___________________________________
Sources
www.aedleader.com
www.ghp-news.com
The Importance of Access to AED’s
If there is a situation when time is most definitely of the essence it is during a Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA). Cardiac arrest is the third major cause of death in the U.S., and not all people who experience sudden cardiac arrest will survive. But, having better access to an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) outside of hospital settings, will make a huge difference.
A SCA occurs due to an abrupt or sudden disturbance in the heartâs rhythm which results in the heart not beating or beating too little to keep a person alive. This life threatening arrhythmia or abnormal heart rhythm is called Ventricular Fibrillation (VF). In these instances, the timely use of an AED and proper application of Cardiac Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) can increase the chances of survival by more than 40% i. Â Additionally, AED use combined with CPR increases the life-saving chances in an SCA sufferer by 75% as compared to using CPR alone. When someone suffers SCA, the survival rate declines by up to 10% with every minute that he or she is left unattended ii.
A SCA can happen to anybody, anywhere, and at any time, and having easy access to AED is critical in saving lives. Because of this, the U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has mandated for greater access to AEDs in public places such as airports, community centers, schools, offices, and of course, medical facilities.
To reinforce this mandate, the American Medical Association (AMA) also advises business owners to install AED devices in private and public structures where people converge, jobsites included iii.
The good thing with an AED device is that itâs made for anyone to use, not just a medic. All you need to do is open it, read the simple instructions and administer to a person in need. This way, colleagues at work, friends, or any layperson will be equipped to use an AED once they follow the instructions carefully that accompany a defibrillator.
This arms anyone with skills to save a life in the event of a cardiac arrest. While prior training is not necessary, it does help to be familiar with how an AED works and how to give CPR. This is because, in an emergency situation, you may be nervous using an AED for the first time.
Part 3 coming soon: The Importance of knowing how to use an AED
______________________________________
i www.ghp-news.com
ii Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation
iii American Medical Association
The importance of AEDâs (Automated External Defibrillatorâs)
According to the WHO (World Health Organization), coronary heart disease is the leading cause of death worldwide, claiming the lives of more than 7 million sufferers every year. Similarly, the American Heart Association says that up to 475,000 Americans die of cardiac arrests in any given year. Out of that 475,000, more than 350,000 of these incidents are outside of hospital cardiac arrests (OHCAâs), with 90% of these reported to be fatal.
These alarming statistics have urged the state and federal governments to require public establishments such as workplaces, shopping centers, and other places with high traffic to have access to AEDâs. The National Safety Council surmises that up to 40,000 deaths due to cardiac arrests can be prevented if this medical equipment were more accessible to the public.
Thereâs no doubt that AEDâs can save lives. With that being said, what is an AED and what does it do?
What does an AED do?Â
Â
You might have seen this medical equipment in public places; an encased tool located conspicuously and in plain sight. Unlike a first aid kit, an automated external defibrillator is what you need in tackling a more serious health emergency like sudden cardiac arrest (SCA).
This serious health problem is often confused with a heart attack. For those who are unaware, a heart attack is caused by a blockage in the heartâs blood vessels, preventing proper blood flow and causing the heart to stop. A sudden cardiac arrest, on the other hand, is an electrical malfunction, causing an erratic blood pumping action. An abnormal heart function can trigger loss of consciousness and breathing difficulties.
SCA can affect anyone regardless of age, and there are rarely any warning signs. Fortunately, an AED device can be used to check a personâs heart rate and provide an electric shock to correct the malfunction, if necessary. This medical device can save lives by detecting two abnormal heart rhythm functions: Ventricular Fibrillation and Ventricular Tachycardia. Once it detects abnormal heart rate, it notifies the user to send an electric shock to restore its normal rhythm.
This medical device may look complicated, but itâs relatively easy to use. Apart from monitoring heart rates and delivering an electric shock, it also provides rescuers with instructions on how to perform Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) properly.
CPR is defined as a lifesaving first aid procedure applied to a person whose heartbeat has stopped. It can also be performed in people who have stopped breathing, for instance, those who have been saved from drowning. The procedure aims to restore the flow of oxygen towards the brain and the bodyâs other vital organs.
Part 2 coming soon: The Importance of Access to AED’s