Design of a low-cost, portable, and automated cardiopulmonary resuscitation device for emergency scenarios in Ecuador

Approximately 90% of patients who suffer out-ofhospital cardiac arrest die [1]. Thus, when a cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) maneuver is needed, rescuer fatigue is a problem because more than 2 minutes of continuous CPR translates in defective delivery of the resuscitation technique [2]. This problem has two main components: first, lack of access to trained professionals with adequate emergency medical equipment, and second, the long delay to receive immediate medical care [3]. After the 7.8-magnitude earthquake in Ecuador on April 2016, first responders were unable to deliver CPR to hundreds of victims, resulting in preventable deaths [3]. Though commercially available CPR devices exist, the prohibitive cost of such devices makes them inaccessible for hospitals in Ecuador. Therefore, there is a need for a low-cost, portable, automated CPR device to combat lack of access to emergency medical equipment and rescuer fatigue, while keeping patients alive long enough to endure transportation to a medical facility. To address this need, this team has manufactured a portable automated CPR device that costs $540 and weights 4.5 kg. The device can be powered by any car or boat battery, and is equipped with a backup battery. Effective CPR can be administered following the American Heart Association guidelines, to provide 6 cm of chest displacement at 120 compressions per minute [4]. The device is easy to use, and can be operable on-site with minimal training to emergency personnel.