Corpuls cpr resuscitation device generates superior emulated flows and pressures than LUCAS II in a mechanical thorax model.

The provision of sufficient chest compression is among the most important factors influencing patient survival during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). One approach to optimize the quality of chest compressions is to use mechanical-resuscitation devices. The aim of this study was to compare a new device for chest compression (corpuls cpr) with an established device (LUCAS II). We used a mechanical thorax model consisting of a chest with variable stiffness and an integrated heart chamber which generated blood flow dependent on the compression depth and waveform. The method of blood-flow generation could be changed between direct cardiac-compression mode and thoracic-pump mode. Different chest-stiffness settings and compression modes were tested to generate various blood-flow profiles. Additionally, an endurance test at high stiffness was performed to measure overall performance and compression consistency. Both resuscitation machines were able to compress the model thorax with a frequency of 100/min and a depth of 5 cm, independent of the chosen chest stiffness. Both devices passed the endurance test without difficulty. The corpuls cpr device was able to generate about 10-40% more blood flow than the LUCAS II device, depending on the model settings. In most scenarios, the corpuls cpr device also generated a higher blood pressure than the LUCAS II. The peak compression forces during CPR were about 30% higher using the corpuls cpr device than with the LUCAS II. In this study, the corpuls cpr device had improved blood flow and pressure outcomes than the LUCAS II device. Further examination in an animal model is required to prove the findings of this preliminary study.

Automation of a portable extracorporeal circulatory support system with adaptive fuzzy controllers.

The presented work relates to the procedure followed for the automation of a portable extracorporeal circulatory support system. Such a device may help increase the chances of survival after suffering from cardiogenic shock outside the hospital, additionally a controller can provide of optimal organ perfusion, while reducing the workload of the operator. Animal experiments were carried out for the acquisition of haemodynamic behaviour of the body under extracorporeal circulation. A mathematical model was constructed based on the experimental data, including a cardiovascular model, gas exchange and the administration of medication. As the base of the controller fuzzy logic was used allowing the easy integration of knowledge from trained perfusionists, an adaptive mechanism was included to adapt to the patient's individual response. Initial simulations show the effectiveness of the controller and the improvements of perfusion after adaptation.