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Abstract

An active compression/decompression CPR device capable of providing both complete cardiopulmonary support and cardiopulmonary assistance includes two or more thoracic compressors, preferably inflatable bladders, positioned so that the chest can first be flattened and compressed, increasing the pressure in the chest, and then circularized and decompressed, decreasing the pressure in the chest. When inflatable bladders are used, they can be surrounded with a rigidifying vest which resists outward bladder expansion. Compression and decompression can be performed along with abdominal compression, and the device is capable of shifting between support and assist modes when the patient's condition so requires. Also described is a method of compressing and then decompressing a patient's thorax by applying anterior and/or posterior pressure to the thorax, so as to compress the thorax and increase pressure therein, relieving that pressure, and then applying lateral pressure to the thorax to decompress and relieve pressure in the thorax, and then relieving the lateral pressure.

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First Claim