‘CPR’ Machine Helps With Emergency Heart Massage

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation, the technique of rhythmically pushing up and down on the victim’s chest to artificially pump the heart, has saved millions of lives.

But it is extremely hard work and can be dangerous if not applied properly.

Pierre Arpin, a self-employed mechanical engineer in Milpitas, Calif., has recently patented a machine that would deliver CPR, called the Portable Heart Massage Apparatus.

“My invention duplicates the heart massage that is now done by hand,” says Arpin. “It is safer and will require much less training than manual CPR.”

The Portable Heart Massage Apparatus consists of a small electric motor that powers two hydraulic pistons. The first piston runs off the electric motor and sends its power through a liquid filled tube to a second piston that is strapped to the patient’s chest.

Once in place, the piston on the chest begins to push up and down on the breastbone, pumping the heart with exact strokes and a regular rhythm. “It restarts the heart,” explains Arpin, “and keeps the blood flowing through the body.”

One of the potential dangers of manual CPR is that the procedure, if applied too vigorously, could crush the ribs or damage the internal organs of the heart attack victim. Arpin says his invention would prevent this.

“When the chest piston is put on, it is held in place by a strap that runs around the patient’s back. This strap is color-coded, and each color designates a different size chest. The colors on the strap are the same as those on the switch that adjusts how far the piston will push down. Match up the colors on the strap and the switch, and you have the proper stroke.”

The apparatus runs on a 12-volt battery that is half the size of those used by motorcycles. “Twelve volts is the normal current used in automobiles. You can also use a car or ambulance battery to power this unit,” Arpin notes.

“The whole thing fits in a case that is about the size of a shoe box, and takes less than 10 seconds to attach to the patient’s body.”

Arpin got the idea for the Portable Heart Massage Apparatus four years ago while watching a television show about rescue squads. “In one part they pushed up and down on a man’s chest for four hours. The patient was revived, but I knew there had to be a better way--anything that is repetitious can be done with a machine.”

Arpin, who has designed and built mining machines and holds two other patents, is now looking for a manufacturer for his invention.