Portable Intensive Care Unit

Without the SAED option, the PIC is intended primarily for use by emergency responders, trained in advanced life support, cardiac care techniques, interpretation of ECG waveforms, and the use of the PIC. With the SAED option, the PIC may be used by emergency responders, trained in basic life support, cardiac care techniques, and the use of the PIC. The usage may be in an ambulance or at the scene of an emergency. The PIC is also intended for use by (or on the order of) physicians at the scene of an emergency or in a hospital emergency room, intensive care unit, cardiac care unit, or other similar areas of a hospital. It is also intended to be used during the transport of patients between any of the locations mentioned above. The patient population will consist of adults and children (described below), and will consist of patients both with and without heart dysfunction. The PIC will be used primarily on patients experiencing symptoms of cardiac arrest or in a post trauma situation. It may also be used whenever it is required to monitor any of those functions that are included (as options) in the device. Indications for each of the specific functions are discussed below:

DEFIBRILLATOR FUNCTION:

The defibrillator function of the PIC is used to treat: ventricular fibrillation and pulseless ventricular tachycardia. The biphasic waveform employed by the PIC has not been clinically tested on pediatric patients The semi-automatic mode should not be used on pediatric patients less than 8 years old.

ECG MONITOR FUNCTION:

The ECG monitor function of the PIC is used to monitor and/or record ECG waveform and heart rate, and to alarm when heart rate is above or below limits set by the operator. The PIC also provides output signals for the purpose of sending ECG waveforms to a remote monitor via direct connection, telephone, or radio transmission. Patients may range from neo-natal to adult.

EXTERNAL TRANSCUTANEOUS PACEMAKER FUNCTION:

The external transcutaneous pacing function of the PIC is used for the emergency treatment of hemodynamically compromising bradycardia, bradycardia with escape rhythms that are unresponsive to pharmacologic therapy, refractory tachycardia (supraventricular or ventricular), and bradyasystolic cardiac arrest. Patients may range from pediatric to adult.

NON-INVASIVE BLOOD PRESSURE FUNCTION:

The non-invasive blood pressure function of the PIC is used to make non-invasive measurements of arterial pressure and heart rate, and to alarm if either parameter is outside of the limits set by the user. Measurements are made using an inflatable cuff on the patient's arm or (occasionally) leg. Patients may range from pediatric to adult.

TEMPERATURE MONITOR FUNCTION:

The temperature monitor function of the PIC is used to make continuous measurements of rectal, esophageal, or surface temperature, and to alarm if the temperature is outside of the limits set by the user. It is used on patients ranging from neo-natal to adult.

PULSE OXIMETER FUNCTION:

The pulse oximeter function of the PIC is used to monitor pulse rate and oxygen saturation of arteriolar hemoglobin, and to alarm if either parameter is outside of the limits set by the user. It is used on patients ranging from neo-natal to adult. Measurements are made non-invasively at remote sites such as a finger, toe, ear lobe, bridge of nose, etc. It is used on patients ranging from neo-natal to adult.

RESPIRATION RATE MONITOR FUNCTION:

The respiration rate monitor function of the PIC is used to continuously monitor respiration rate and to alarm if the rate falls outside of the range set by the operator. The patients range from neo-natal to adult. Because the measurement method actually measures respiratory effort, apnea episodes with continued respiratory effort (such as obstructive apnea) may not be detected. It is not intended to be used as an apnea monitor. It is used on patients ranging from neo-natal to adult.

CO, MONITOR FUNCTION

The respiration rate monitor function of the PIC is used to measure the concentration of carbon dioxide in a gas mixture to aid in determining the patient's ventilatory status. This device is intended as an indicator of patient carbon dioxide concentration during expiration and is not intended as the sole basis for medical diagnosis.

This CO, monitor is intended for use with patients 3 years of age and older. This device is not recommended for patients with low tidal volume such as patients younger than 3 years of age or weighing less than 22 pounds, or patients with a respiration rate greater than or equal to 60 breaths per minute.

INVASIVE PRESSURE MONITOR FUNCTION

The invasive pressure monitor function of the PIC is used to display the measurements made by any compatible pressure transducer. The primary intended uses are arterial blood pressure, central venous blood pressure, and intracranial pressure. Patients may range from neo-natal to adult. Any contra-indications of the particular transducer selected by the user shall apply.