Design of a Low-cost Automated Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Device with Piston-Driven Chest Compression System

Immediate application of cardio pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is crucial for the survival of someone being treated for cardiac arrest, drowning or electric shock. CPR is applicable for any individual who is unresponsive with no breathing or breathing just in infrequent painful gasps, as it is likely to have suffered cardiac arrest. Survival rate from cardiac arrest is very poor and traditional manual CPR techniques do not give the reliable and effective chest compressions required to treat a patient. An answer for this issue is to take out the human component altogether and use the advantages of a machine. By investigating the current manual CPR techniques, we have designed and built up an automated CPR device that would provide sternal compression force. The device has been tested on a CPR manikin and the results were positive. The cost of the device is around $300 and this device will be an important addition for emergency rescuers in developing regions like in Bangladesh.