Physio-Control LUCAS 2 chest compression device

The LUCAS 2 from Physio-Control is a robust and reliable chest compression device that delivers automated, guidelines-consistent and continuous chest compressions, helping to maintain good circulation to the patient during transport and throughout the hospital. It is said to significantly improve the quality and consistency of compressions compared to manual CPR - at the scene, during ambulance or helicopter transportation, and in hospital emergency or cardiac departments.

Once set up, the device can operate indefinitely on mains power, or for up to 45 min using the rechargeable lithium battery. The piston is driven by an electrically powered compressor. The device automatically compensates for the size of a patient with no special set-up required and the rate can be set at the ARC recommended 100 compressions/min. Alternatively, the rate can be set for 30 compressions after which the machine pauses to allow breaths to be administered then provides another 30 compressions and so on. Compression and decompression are timed equally, allowing for full chest recoil. The device facilitates consistent blood flow from the moment it is turned on.

The device can be applied quickly and provide continuous compressions during patient transport irrespective of the terrain. The back plate slides under the patient’s shoulders and the main body of the unit is clipped onto the back plate and activated. The piston is lowered to the patient’s chest wall and this is set as the starting point of compression. The piston compresses the chest the recommended five centimetres and then returns to the start position. The suction cup on the end of the piston arm acts to pull the chest wall up ensuring full recoil, which in turn facilitates airflow into the lungs.

Designed to operate effectively in even the harshest environments, the device has the additional safety feature that if the device senses a chest compression greater than 5 cm, it will alert the operator with an alarm and stop compressions to avoid injuring the patient.