Cell Phone With Defibrillator Could Save Lives
It's becoming more and more common to see portable defibrillator units hanging on the walls at places like airports and corporate offices. These small-ish devices are potential life-savers for those who suffer from irregular heartbeats. However, a device described in a patent could make those devices look a little -- large. Enter the cell phone defibrillator.The gizmo, which is just a concept at this point, would feature electrodes in the buttons that, when pressed to the person's chest, would jolt the heart back to a regular beat. Additionally, the phone would contain a heart monitor for identifying potential problems and GPS tracking once the defib mode was activated.
This device sounds like it could be a lifesaver -- and it's just the latest idea that adds health-related features into handsets -- but given all the cell phone-related deaths and injuries lately, we'd be just a little nervous about pressing those two exposed contacts up against our face during a call.
From textually.org
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
bob @ Mar 29th 2008 2:54PM
Next idea: Combination cell phone/ defibrillator/ tazer? Wouldn't want to date anybody carrying that phone....
doc @ Mar 29th 2008 3:17PM
wow, what a stupid idea.
Joyk @ Mar 29th 2008 4:43PM
This is not a stupid idea. Anyone who needs a defib, would gladly have one of these. It will save your life. Perhaps one day you'll know someone or be that person in need, it won't be such a stupid idea then.
cartersmate35 @ Mar 29th 2008 6:28PM
I would welcome one of these. When you live 50 years with a heart that can stop...cardiac arrythmia....THIS would seem to be a wonderful invention!
Edde @ Mar 29th 2008 6:47PM
Shucks. Cell phones that shock are nothing new. I get a shock every time I get my bill!
Brittny @ Mar 29th 2008 7:39PM
This is kinda cool. I have a pacemaker because my heart is stubborn and likes to stop so having this phone would be a plus incase my pacer stopped working correctly. The only down side would be if people got the to use on their selfs I dont think it would be possible and how many shocks do you think you can get out of this one little phone if you have been taking on it throughout the day?
doug @ Mar 30th 2008 12:09AM
The voltage requirements for a defib are far greater than a cell could support. But a database of defib locations, which the 911 center could access to provide the "closest" to your GPS location, could save lives.