EleGARD™

The Lower Back and Thoracic Plates are designed to stabilize the patient’s lower back and thorax in the lowest and highest positions, and when elevating the head and thorax. The lower back and upper thoracic plates are designed to accommodate almost all adult body sizes by extending lengthwise, as needed, to reduce the likelihood the head and thorax will curl forward with elevation of the head and thorax.

The Adjustable Head Support is designed to support the head in the lowered and elevated positions. The head can be tilted back to help prevent airway closure and to help maintain the sniffing position. The head and neck angle can be adjusted using the red handle. There are three different head and neck angles, which can be adjusted to keep the airway open and the head and neck in the sniffing position. The device should be stored with the head and neck in the middle position. NOTE: The outer squeeze handle is colored red to alert the user that it is not to be used as a handle when lifting the patient. The red and gray handles are designed to adjust the head and neck support and should NOT be used when lifting the EleGARD when the patient is on the unit.

The Neck and Shoulder Stabilizer Cushion is designed to help prevent the patient from slipping downward with elevation of the head and neck and to help maintain the sniffing position. If a patient requires a neck collar, the neck and shoulder stabilizer cushion should be removed to allow room for the patient’s head and neck, with the neck collar in place, on the EleGARD. To remove the Neck and Shoulder Stabilizer Cushion, stretch and detach the tether at each end of the cushion assembly and remove the cushion assembly. To replace the cushion assembly, center it on the EleGARD and re-attach the tether to each end.

The Control Panel is designed to control the head and thorax elevation height and the digital timer. There is a power OFF/ON switch. There is a way to determine the Battery charge status. There are switches to elevate the head and thorax, lower the head and thorax, and stop the upward or downward movement of the head and thorax. The order of operation is shown by the numbers 1, 2, and 3. Pressing 1 will power on the device. Pressing 2 will start the timer. The timer provides the rescuer with a real-time clock. The time will start when the timer Start button is pressed. The timer light will start flashing after 2 minutes and it will continue to flash and count thereafter. Pressing 3 will elevate the head and thorax over a 2 minute period of time. The Battery lights will flash off and on in an upward cascade as the head and thorax are being elevated.

The EleGARD is designed to securely hold a LUCAS 3 Series Chest Compression System standard back plate in place. During normal use, the LUCAS 3 Series back plate should be securely attached to EleGARD. In this manner, a patient can receive conventional manual CPR, ACD CPR with the ResQCPR System, or CPR with a LUCAS 2.0 or 3 Series Chest Compression System while on the EleGARD according to the protocol or standard procedure of the service or hospital.

The LUCAS 3 back plate can be easily released by pulling the Back Plate Release Knob outward and then lifting the back plate out. The LUCAS 3 back plate can be readily inserted back into the EleGARD by first placing the lower end of the back plate, and then the upper end of the back plate, into the EleGARD LUCAS 3 back plate locking system.

The Battery powers the unit and needs to be charged before use. The amount of electricity remaining in the Battery can be checked by looking at the charge indicator on the Control Panel. The Battery can be easily removed by opening the Battery compartment and removing the Battery. The EleGARD comes with 2 Batteries to enable one to be used and one Battery carried as a spare.

The Carrying Case is designed to store the EleGARD and is also used to easily carry the EleGARD to the patient. It can be carried on the back by using the shoulder straps or it can be carried using the handle. It can be opened in seconds by unclipping the two snap fit latches and pulling upward on the cover with one hand while holding down the base portion of the cover with the other hand. The zipper is designed to open when using a single smooth upward motion (see Figure 8).

If the patient needs to be further adjusted into the sniffing position for airway management procedures, grasp the red handle on the Headrest and tilt the head to the desired position.

The Battery powers the unit and needs to be charged before use. The amount of electricity remaining in the Battery can be checked by looking at the charge indicator on the Control Panel. The Battery can be easily removed by opening the Battery compartment and removing the Battery. The EleGARD comes with 2 Batteries to enable one to be used and one Battery carried as a spare.