
Lifepak (stylized LIFEPAK) is a series of vital signs monitors and external cardiac
defibrillator
Defibrillation is a treatment for life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias, specifically ventricular fibrillation (V-Fib) and non-perfusing ventricular tachycardia (V-Tach). A defibrillator delivers a dose of electric current (often called a ''coun ...
s produced by medical technology company
Physio-Control
Physio-Control Corporation was founded in 1955 by Dr. Karl William Edmark as a pioneering company in the field of portable defibrillation. Physio-Control manufactures emergency defibrillation and automated CPR equipment. The company was most re ...
.
In 2020 the company recalled some of its defibrillators after it learned they might fail in some circumstances.
History
Physio-Control publicly demonstrated its first Lifepak branded defibrillator, Lifepak 33, in November 1968 and began commercial sale of the unit the next year in 1969.
Semi-automatic units include the Lifepak 12, Lifepak 15, and Lifepak 20 for use by healthcare professionals such as
emergency medical technician
An emergency medical technician (EMT), also known as an ambulance technician, is a health professional that provides emergency medical services. EMTs are most commonly found working in ambulances. In English-speaking countries, paramedics a ...
s and
paramedic
A paramedic is a registered healthcare professional who works autonomously across a range of health and care settings and may specialise in clinical practice, as well as in education, leadership, and research.
Not all ambulance personnel are p ...
s.
Automatic
Automatic may refer to:
Music Bands
* Automatic (band), Australian rock band
* Automatic (American band), American rock band
* The Automatic, a Welsh alternative rock band
Albums
* ''Automatic'' (Jack Bruce album), a 1983 electronic rock ...
units include the Lifepak 500, Lifepak 1000, Lifepak CR Plus and the Lifepak CR2 for use by members of the public who have been trained to operate them.
Usage
Lifepak defibrillators are more than just defibrillators. Many models allow for
cardiac monitoring (including heart rate monitoring and 12-Lead EKG acquisition and interpretation) and alert the users to sudden changes. The Lifepak 15 and 20e (when equipped with CodeManagement Module) models include a CPR metronome that verbally tells the rescuers when to ventilate the patient. Some Lifepak defibrillators also include options for
synchronized cardioversion (for treating unstable fast rhythms like
supraventricular tachycardia or
atrial fibrillation),
external pacing (for post-cardiac arrest,
bradycardia
Bradycardia (also sinus bradycardia) is a slow resting heart rate, commonly under 60 beats per minute (BPM) as determined by an electrocardiogram. It is considered to be a normal heart rate during sleep, in young and healthy or elderly adults, ...
, and/or
heart-block patients), and also monitor oxygen saturation, CO
2 output for intubation, and blood pressure.
The Lifepak CR2 includes CPRInsight analysis technology which allows for chest compression during analysis of the patient's
ECG.
See also
*
Ambulance
An ambulance is a medically equipped vehicle which transports patients to treatment facilities, such as hospitals. Typically, out-of-hospital medical care is provided to the patient during the transport.
Ambulances are used to respond to medi ...
*
Medical device
A medical device is any device intended to be used for medical purposes. Significant potential for hazards are inherent when using a device for medical purposes and thus medical devices must be proved safe and effective with reasonable assur ...
*
Physio-Control
Physio-Control Corporation was founded in 1955 by Dr. Karl William Edmark as a pioneering company in the field of portable defibrillation. Physio-Control manufactures emergency defibrillation and automated CPR equipment. The company was most re ...
References
{{Reflist
Cardiac electrophysiology
Emergency medical equipment