Physio-Control Lifepak 20

Defibrillator/Monitor

The Physio-Control Lifepak 20 defibrillator/monitor is a complete acute cardiac care response system with both manual and semi-automatic defibrillation. The Lifepak 20 can deliver a brief, high-energy pulse of electricity to the patient’s heart. Operators may preconfigure the device to reduce complexity during normal operation.

This defibrillator and monitor generates a Biphasic Truncated Exponential (BTE) shock pulse for defibrillation. The standard method of energy delivery is through self-adhesive QUIK-COMBO pacing/defibrillation/ECG electrodes. When using these Disposable Defibrillation Electrodes (DDEs), the Lifepak 20 continuously measures the impedance between the electrodes and allows defibrillation only when the electrodes are attached to the patient. The user may select from a variety of optional accessories for energy delivery; disposable defibrillation electrodes, hard paddles, or even internal paddles. Continue reading to learn more about the Lifepak 20!

Manual and AED Modes

Manual Defibrillation

In manual mode, the defibrillator enables the clinician to manually select an energy level, initiate a charge sequence, and apply energy in either direct or synchronized modes. When the operator selects the VF/VT ALARM from the Alarms menu, the Continuous Patient Surveillance System monitors the patient’s ECG for a shockable rhythm. A suspect Rhythm alerts the clinician with a priority tone and screen, then follows locally established guidelines for the administration of defibrillation therapy.

Automatic External Defibrillation (AED)

In the AED Mode, the device uses the Continuous Patient Surveillance System to monitor the patient’s ECG for a shockable rhythm. A suspect rhythm alerts the operator with a priority tone and screen. The operator may continue by pressing the ANALYZE button, which allows the shock advisory System to analyze the ECG rhythm and make recommendations. Then, the clinician can follow locally established guidelines for the administration of defibrillation therapy.

The Lifepak 20 can be configured to turn on automatically in AED mode. In this mode, the defibrillator can also be configured to display the ECG waveform. The operation will remain the same whether the ECG waveform is displayed or not.

Lifepak 20 Primary Functions

This defibrillator has four primary functions:

• Defibrillation
  • Manual or semi-automatic (AED) defibrillation
  • Synchronized cardioversion in manual mode
  • Leads off detection for therapy and ECG electrodes
• Noninvasive Pacing
  • Demand and non-demand modes of operation
• Capture Patient Information
  • Stores both patient and device data at each event
  • A real-time clock provides time stamps for events
  • Provides operator review of started events for printout
• Patient Signal Monitoring
  • Displays up to two waveforms at once
  • Displays continuous pulse oximetry (SpO2) readout
  • Displays continuous heart rate readout
  • Displays waveform pace and sense markers
  • Monitors for ventricular fibrillation/ventricular tachycardia and sounds a warning alarm
  • Prints continuous ECG Data

Physio-Control Lifepak 20 Monitoring Tools

The Physio-Control Lifepak 20 defibrillator and monitor is a medical device capable of combining a variety of therapeutic and monitoring features. Along with automatic defibrillation, semi-automatic defibrillation, manual defibrillation, and noninvasive pacing, this defibrillation offers SPO2 and ECG monitoring.

Battery

The A07 Battery in the Lifepak 20 is a 2.7 amp/hour, 12V, NiMH battery that is used as an internal backup power source when AC power is not available. A new fully charged battery provides about 90  360 J discharges, 70 minutes of pacing, or about 120 minutes of continuous monitoring before the device powers off. It is important to always connect the device to AC power after use to recharge depleted batteries to full capacity. A fully depleted battery requires two hours of charge time to obtain full capacity. To help maintain maximum battery performance, keep the Lifepak 20 plugged into an AC outlet when not in use. Ultimately the battery should be replaced every two years as a preventative maintenance measure.

Display

The active display on the Lifepak 20 is 5.7 inches (measured diagonally) and uses a 1/4 VGA protocol with a resolution of 320 x 240 high pixel array. The display has a protective lens and features full color, high brightness, a wide viewing angle, and fully visible and bright lighting situations. It also contains an internal backlight for visibility in low-light situations.

Impedance

Lifepak biphasic defibrillators measure trans-thoracic impedance and automatically tailor defibrillation waveform current, duration, and voltage to meet the needs of the individual patient. Impedance is measured whenever defibrillation electrodes or hard paddles are in contact with the patient’s chest. In certain situations, the defibrillation energy is limited to prevent damage to internal circuits. It only affects energies at extremely low impedance and usually would be seen in cases of shorted paddle discharge.

To prevent inadvertent low impedance readings, you should always charge the standard paddles when they are in contact with the patient’s chest. If the defibrillator determines low impedance values, either due to actual patient impedance or shorted paddles, the Lifepak 20 defibrillator/monitor will disarm the capacitor and automatically recharge to a lower energy setting.

Pediatric and Adult Paddles

Pediatric Paddles

Pediatric paddles should be used for patients weighing less than 22 lbs or for patients whose chest size cannot accommodate the adult hard paddles.

Adult Paddles

Adult paddles are recommended if the paddles completely fit on the patient’s chest. Allow at least 1 inch between the paddles.

Pacing

The Physio-Control Lifepak 20 defibrillator can be used for either demand or nondemand pacing modes. The demand mode is used for most patients, In the demand mode, the Lifepak 20 inhibits pacing when it senses the patient’s beats. In demand mode, if the ECG amplitude is too low to detect the patient’s beast, or if an ECG lead becomes detached so that the ECG rhythm is not present, the pacemaker generates pacing pulses asynchronously. This means that the pacemaker generates pacing pulses at the selected rate, regardless of the patient’s ECG rhythm. The asynchronous or nondemand mode can be selected if noise or artifact interferes with the proper sensing of QRS complexes.

Data Storage and Memory

When turning on the Lifepak 20 defibrillator, you create a new patient record stamped with the current date and time. All events and associated waveforms are digitally stored in the Patient Record as patient reports, which you can print. When the defibrillation is turned off, the current Patient Record data is saved in the patient archives. Patient reports within a Patient Record are stored as a CODE SUMMARY Critical Event Record, which includes patient information, event and vital signs logs, and waveforms associated with events.

Data can be retained from 3 or more people depending on a few factors. The number of waveforms displayed, the duration of each use, and the type of therapy all determine the amount of patient data that can be saved. When the defibrillation reaches the limits of its memory capacity, it deletes the oldest patient recording using a “first in, first out” priority to accommodate a new patient record.

Daily Auto Tests

Each day at approximately 3 AM, the Lifepak 20 will automatically complete a self-test that consists of the following:

• Turns itself on
• Performs self-tests
• Charges to 10 J and then discharges through a test load
• Tests the pacing circuitry (if noninvasive pacing is installed)
• Stores the results in the test log
• Prints the results, if configured “ON”
• Turns itself off

The daily autotest will not perform if the defibrillator is already on. If a problem is detected the unit will remain on if connected to AC power, and the service LED will be illuminated.

Cleaning the Lifepak 20

It is important to NOT clean any part of this device or its accessories with bleach, bleach dilution, or phenolic compounds. A damp sponge or cloth with the following cleaning agents should be used to clean the defibrillator/monitor, cables, and accessories:

• Quaternary ammonium compounds
• Isopropyl Alcohol
• Peracetic (peroxide) acid solution

Buy a Physio-Control Lifepak 20

Soma Technology, Inc. offers the Physio-Control Lifepak 20 defibrillator/monitor up to 50% below OEM prices with the same service and warranty as new from the original manufacturer. Soma Technology offers high-quality refurbished Lifepak 20 defibrillators that are technically and cosmetically refurbished back to the original specifications. These defibrillators are tested and calibrated by our team of certified biomedical engineers. After these units are brought back to the original standards, they undergo a special cosmetic restoration that makes them look, as well as function, the way they did when they left the manufacturer. Has your facility ever thought about refurbished capital medical equipment? Refurbished medical equipment can be an enormous cost saving for your facility, enabling you to obtain “more bang for your buck” in terms of getting the best medical equipment, with a huge cost reduction, while also maintaining patient safety in your facility.

Final Thoughts

Have you ever purchased a Physio Control Lifepak 20 from Soma Technology? Are there features on it that you enjoy using or some that you would prefer to change? Have you ever needed to automatically defibrillate someone? Do you believe that these life-saving medical devices should be equipped in most police cars, schools, and restaurants? Comment below!