Importance

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Abstract

The disclosed apparatus attaches to the patient for monitoring the patient's condition and administering the correct electrical stimulation to a suspected heart attack victim as soon as possible after the occurrence of the attack and in the absence of medical personnel. The apparatus preferably includes an oro-pharyngeal airway provided with electrodes for ascertaining electrical activity of the heart. A microphone attached to the airway, or a strain gauge applied elsewhere to the patient's body, detects bodily motion, for example respiration. If neither substantial electrical activity nor bodily motion is detected, the patient is considered to be in a cardiac arrest and a pacing impulse is applied to the patient via the aforementioned airway electrodes and/or other electrodes, while if electrical activity is ascertained in the absence of bodily motion, a defibrillating pulse is applied to the patient.

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First Claim