CPR (Cardiopulmonary resuscitation) helps to increase the survival chances of the victim in case of cardiac arrest or heart attack. However, lack of proper training makes it impossible for many individuals willing to assist to do CPR properly.
Four Indian-American students attending the University of Washington have developed a patch of a small size that can fit into a wallet in order to solve the problem.
“CPright,” the device is named, shows how to do proper chest compressions, including the exact place, rate, and depth. It won the first place and $10,000 prize in the undergraduate division of the Collegiate Inventors Competition.
According to news reports, this patch was invented by Shubham Bansal, Prisha Hemani, Diya Sharma, and Nikhita Vaddineni supervised by Tristan Jafri. According to National Inventors Hall of Fame (NIHF), it is a small one-time use device.
The LED lights on the patch indicate the correct location of compressions and the speed and depth of compressions during CPR. It does not require a smartphone, monitor, or any other external device to operate.
CPrite is designed to be easy to use. Before starting CPR, the patch is placed on the patient’s sternum. As chest compressions are applied, its LED lights indicate whether the compressions are being performed correctly. This eliminates the need for rescuers to consult a different device or seek additional instructions.
Its compact design also makes it unique. This patch, which can be carried in a pocket, is easily accessible in an emergency. Its purpose is to help those who lack adequate CPR training or who become confused about the correct technique in a critical situation.
More than 350,000 people in the United States experience cardiac arrest-related emergencies outside the hospital each year. According to the NIHF, approximately 90 percent of these emergencies result in death. These statistics highlight the importance of prompt assistance before reaching the hospital.
Devices like the CPrite aim to make CPR easier and provide immediate prompts to rescuers. However, its true utility can only be assessed based on extensive testing and practical use.
