FAQ concerning animax
Why animax?
If reanimation takes place outside of a hospital the assistant must keep on performing CPR until the ambulance arrives. Due to the enormous physical effort necessary and the pressure administered faster than the tact of seconds, it is virtually impossible to keep up effective CPR over a longer period of time or until the ambulance arrives (potential delays due to e.g. rural territory, traffic jams, weather conditions, etc.). In addition, the assistant often does not have the experience for the right feeling to perform CPR expertly, something which can only be acquired with regular practise. Therefore we developed animax so that both amateur as well as medical personnel can perform optimum reanimation over a longer period of time.
who is competent to use the animax ?
Anybody who has been introduced to and instructed in using it.
First legal consultation by the law office Lücker in Essen, May 2008 (German)
Why is animax a mechanical device?
The reanimation device animax works with exact mechanics that function precisely even after years of non-use. If animax worked on the basis of electronics a source of energy such as batteries would be necessary. If the device had not been in use for a longer period of time or the batteries had not been exchanged in time it would not work.
How long does it take to assemble the animax and put it on the patient?
With a little practise it merely takes 20 seconds to set up the animax. Due to the device's symmetrically adjustable frame with scoops to slide under a patient, it only takes 3 to 5 seconds to put it on.
How much practise do I need to use animax?
Since the operation of animax is very easy it can be used effectively with little practise. However, regular practise, e.g. in addition to manual resuscitation exercises, provides easy familiarity and even faster operation.
Ventilation with animax?
Ventilation with animax takes place automatically alternating with cardiac massage (30:2). Since semi-professional assistants are not allowed to perform intubation we developed the mask spiro-set. The rotatable hooks on the overstretch pillow balance the elastic straps automatically. Thus regardless of how the patient's head lies, the mask is pressed continuously and from all sides to the patient's face.
Always provided that the user has the necessary training and knowledge, we recommend the use of a tube (e.g. larynx tube), which seals up tightly and can be connected to the animax.
What about the danger of aspiration?
If ventilation is done by using a mask (intubation not possible by semi-professionals) there is the danger of aspiration, i.e. during ventilation vomit might be pushed back. To avoid the latter animax can throttle the air flow. If there is an increase in pressure within the ventilation mask due to blocking in the wind pipe, the pressure increases in the expansion bellows. This increase in pressure is felt at the lever. In other words, the assitant feels immediately when the patient aspirates. In addition, at the valve there is a pressure manometer attached. Therefore the assistant is always aware of either successful ventilation or a potential aspiration blocking the patient's wind pipe.
Ranimation or defibrillation?
Both is extremely important! In most cases of cardiac or full arrest in adults there are hyperdynamic causes. In cases of so-called ventricular fibrillation immediate defibrillation is the only effective therapy. With each minute delay between the ventricular fibrillation and the defibrillation the chances to stop it decrease by 10%. In most cases already after 4 minutes the ventricular fibrillation turns into cardiac arrest. From this point onward 'only' CPR can keep the brain from dying. If CPR is done effectively the arriving paramedics can increase the chances of resusciation considerably.
Risk of breaking ribs?
Even performing CPR with the animax cannot exclude the risk of breaking ribs altogether; however, the danger of this injury is considerably lower. When the device is put on the patient the appropriate depth of pressure for the cardiac massage depending on the patient's chest size is adjusted automatically. Therefore the chest is pressured precisely as much as necessary for effective resusciation.
Can oxygen be added?
The animax allows for an oxygen tube, a reservoir bag and a valve to be connected.
Is animax suitable for everybody?
The device is conceived for persons that have reached adult size, since CPR performed on children calls for higher speed and lower pressure. The range of the device is such that it fits 95% of all adult chest sizes.
Is ACD technology integrated in animax?
The ACD process lifts up the chest with a suction device after pressing it. This increases the venous backflow, which in turn increases the effectiveness of the next pressure. With the introduction of several suction devices the ACD process has been critically discussed again. When the suction device lifts the chest of patients that are connected to a respirator more blood flows in the direction of the heart. If no respirator is connected to the patient the positive effect of the ACD technique does not take place. We consider this explanation plausible thus we decided against integrating the ACD technique.