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Before using LUCAS,
what should you read?

FLIP CARD

All operators must read the complete instructions for use for complete directions for use, indications, contraindications, warnings, precautions and potential adverse events before operating the LUCAS chest compression system.

“Always follow local and/or international guidelines for CPR when you use the LUCAS chest compression system.”

LUCAS 3 Instructions for Use; Chapter 1


Who can use the LUCAS device?

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“Jolife recommends that the LUCAS Chest Compression System is only used by persons with medical skills such as: First responders, ambulance personnel, nurses, physicians or medical staff, who have: 

  • undertaken a CPR course according to the resuscitation guidelines, e.g. American Heart Association, European Council of Resuscitation or equivalent,
  • AND received training in how to use the LUCAS device.”

LUCAS 3 Instructions for Use; Chapter 3.2



Who can be treated with LUCAS?

FLIP CARD

"LUCAS Chest Compression System is to be used for performing external cardiac  compressions on adult patients who have acute circulatory arrest defined as absence of spontaneous breathing and pulse, and loss of consciousness.

LUCAS must only be used in cases where chest compressions are likely to help the patient.

The LUCAS device is intended for use as an adjunct to manual CPR when effective manual CPR is not possible (e.g., during patient transport or extended CPR when fatigue may prohibit the delivery of effective/ consistent compressions to the victim, or when insufficient EMS personnel are available to provide effective CPR)." (US only)


LUCAS 3 Instructions for Use; Chapter 2.2



What are the contraindications?

FLIP CARD

“Do NOT use the LUCAS Chest Compression System in these cases:

  • If it is not possible to position the LUCAS device safely or correctly on the patient’s chest. 
  • Too small patient: If the LUCAS device alerts with 3 fast signals when lowering the suction cup, and you cannot enter the PAUSE mode or ACTIVE mode.
  • Too large patient: If you cannot lock the upper part of the LUCAS device to the Back Plate without compressing the patient’s chest.

Always follow local and/or international guidelines for CPR when you use the LUCAS chest compression system.”


LUCAS 3 Instructions for Use; Chapter 2.3 

Manual CPR and LUCAS

Arrival at the patient

  • Immediately start manual chest compressions

  • The majority of survivors are saved by early defibrillations. Remember to analyze ECG rhythm early and between every CPR cycle, and shock if indicated. 

  • Uninterrupted high-quality CPR is related to good patient outcomes. Work in teams to minimize interruptions to manual CPR before and during LUCAS application.

Did you know that:

Well trained teams have shown it is possible to transition to LUCAS with an interruption to manual CPR of 7 seconds (median) in clinical use.1


What does the Instructions for Use
say about manual CPR?

FLIP CARD

“When you have confirmed a cardiac arrest, immediately start manual cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Minimize interruptions to manual chest compressions during the preparation and application of the LUCAS chest compression system.”

LUCAS 3 Instructions for Use; Chapter 5.1 

“The LUCAS device is intended for use as an adjunct to manual CPR when effective manual CPR is not possible (e.g., during patient transport or extended CPR when fatigue may prohibit the delivery of effective/consistent compressions to the victim, or when insufficient EMS personnel are available to provide effective CPR). (US only)”

LUCAS 3 Instructions for Use; Chapter 2.2

LUCAS user interface

ADJUST

FLIP CARD

This mode is used when you want to adjust the position of the suction cup. When you push this key, you can manually move the suction cup up or down. To adjust the start position of the suction cup, manually push down the suction cup with two fingers onto the chest of the patient.

PAUSE

FLIP CARD

When you push this key, the compression mechanism temporarily stops and is locked in the start position. Use this function when you want to stop the device temporarily but still want to keep the start position of the suction cup.

ACTIVE (30:2)

FLIP CARD

When you push this key, the LUCAS device performs 30 chest compressions and then temporarily stops for 3 seconds. During the stop, the operator can perform 2 ventilations. After the stop the cycle starts again. An intermittent LED in combination with an audible signal sequence will alert the operator before each ventilation pause.

ACTIVE (continuous)

FLIP CARD


When you push this key, the LUCAS device performs continuous chest compressions. The green LED signal will blink 10 times per minute to alert for ventilation during ongoing compressions.

LUCAS application tips

Position the back plate


Aim at placing the back plate centrally behind the heart. The back plate should be high up at the patient’s armpits. The black bars of the back plate should align cross over the heart area and central chest compression point where the manual CPR provider has his/her hands.
  • Place patient’s arms straight out (i.e. crucifix position)
  • In large patients, move the patient’s arms up towards the head to get adipose tissue out of the way

  • Lift the patient’s upper body a small distance or roll the patient from side to side when placing the back plate
  • Coordinate the application to minimize interruptions to manual chest compressions


Position the back plate correctly from the start.

This helps facilitate a correct position of the suction cup.

You can use the rolling or lifting method when applying the back plate

Attach the upper part


Make sure the claw locks are open by pulling the release rings once. 

  • Then remove your fingers from the release rings, so that the claw locks can lock onto the back plate
  • Remove clothes or sheets from the back plate bars

  • The claw locks will lock onto the back plate with a "click". Pull up once to check the parts are attached.
  • To minimize interruptions to manual chest compressions, attach the support leg that is nearest to you first. Move the other support leg through the arms of the responder doing manual CPR. Ask him/her to assist with attaching the second support leg.



The claw locks will lock onto the back plate with a "click".

Position suction cup and start compressions


  • Use your hands to lower and check the position of the suction cup on the sternum bone 
  • When the suction cup is in the correct positing, the lower edge of the suction cup is immediately above the end of the sternum
  • Adjust if necessary
  • Push PAUSE to lock the start position
  • Push ACTIVE (30:2 or continuous) to start compressions

Adjust in ADJUST mode


  • Make sure the suction cup is in the correct position on the patient's chest. If necessary, adjust the suction cup in ADJUST mode.

Apply the stabilization strap


  • LUCAS stabilization strap helps secure the correct position
  • Make sure that LUCAS is positioned correctly on the patient's chest during the whole resuscitation effort 


Operate LUCAS

Defibrillation

  • Defibrillation can be performed while the LUCAS device operates
  • PAUSE compressions for ECG analysis
  • If shock is indicated, defibrillate during LUCAS compressions or during pause, according to your local protocols
  • LUCAS is defibrillator safe
  • You can apply the defibrillation electrodes before or after the LUCAS device has been put in position
  • Make sure pads or wires are not under the suction cup
  • Perform the defibrillation according to the instructions from the manufacturer of the defibrillator
  • After defibrillation, make sure that the position of the suction cup is correct. If necessary, adjust the position

DOWNLOAD

Defibrillation and ventilation with LUCAS

US version - for Intl. English version, see Resources

CPR during transportation

  • Use the patient straps to facilitate patient transportation
  • Make sure that IV access is not obstructed when using patient straps  
  • Do not lift LUCAS by the patient straps 


Lift the patient

  1. One person on each side and one person supporting the patient’s head, even with stabilization strap in place


  1. Those at patient’s side lift with one hand beneath claw locks of back plate keeping fingers clear of claw locks. Other hand lifts patient’s leg.


LUCAS can be active while you lift and move the patient if:

  • LUCAS and the patient are safely positioned on the transportation device
  • LUCAS stays in the correct position and angle on the patient's chest

If necessary, adjust the position of the suction cup.


Power during operation

How to change battery during operation


  • Have a spare, fully charged battery ready 
  • Push PAUSE 
  • Pull the empty battery out and then upwards to remove it. Install the fully-charged battery
  • Wait until the green PAUSE mode LED illuminates 
  • Push ACTIVE to start the chest compressions again

External power for prolonged operation


  • You can connect the LUCAS power supply or car power cable in all operation modes of the LUCAS device
  • The battery must always be installed for the LUCAS device to be able to operate even when powered by the external power supply
  • When removing the power cable, do not twist it, just pull it straight out

Get to know the LUCAS alerts and alarms

Self-test at Power ON

"When the device powers up, it automatically does a self-test of the functions and the protective system. 

When the self-test is complete the green LED (Light Emitting Diode) beside the ADJUST key illuminates. This procedure takes approximately 3 seconds."


LUCAS 3 Instructions for Use; Chapter 2.7 


Why should you power ON the
device before the application?

FLIP CARD


The device does a self-test at Power ON. A successful self-test indicates the device is ready for use. You want to ensure it is ready for use before application. 

Note

If you let the LUCAS device stay in ADJUST mode, it will power off automatically after 5 minutes. You may need to power ON the device again.

If you let the LUCAS device stay in PAUSE mode, it will power off automatically after 30 minutes. You may need to power ON the device again.




Warning

Too small patient alert


"If the LUCAS device alerts with 3 fast signals when lowering the suction cup, and you cannot enter the PAUSE mode or ACTIVE mode. Immediately start manual compressions again."


LUCAS 3 Instructions for Use; Chapter 5.4 

Suction cup locked in start position


  • You can ONLY adjust the suction cup up or down when you are in the ADJUST mode 


  • In PAUSE mode, the suction cup will be locked in the start position. If you try to move the suction cup in PAUSE mode you will hear an alert signal. 

Low battery alert


"When the yellow battery LED shows an intermittent light, do one of these: 

  • Replace the battery with one that is charged
  • Connect the external LUCAS power supply"

LUCAS 3 Instructions for use; Chapter 5.4 


For how long will a fully
charged battery operate? 


FLIP CARD

45 minutes =
typical operation time for fully charged battery

  • Three green LEDs: fully charged
  • Two green LEDs: 2/3 charged 
  • One green LEDs: 1/3 charged
  • One intermittent yellow LED and a medium priority alarm signal:
    Less than 10 minutes remaining.
  • One intermittent red LED and high priority alarm signal: Battery empty.


    • Do you have to power off the
    device when changing batteries?


    FLIP CARD

    No, you do not have to power off the device when changing batteries, just push PAUSE. The device will remember the set start position and be ready to continue if you replace the batteries within 60 seconds.




    Battery service life indication

    "When the LED to the far right is yellow and not green, the battery has reached the end of its service life. Jolife recommends that you replace this battery with a new one."



    LUCAS 3 Instructions for use; Chapter 2.7

    Battery empty - high priority alarm

    Battery charge is too low and compressions will stop. If you do not have a charged battery at hand, remove the stabilization strap and the LUCAS device, and resume manual chest compressions immediately.


    Examples of other reasons for the high-priority alarm:

    • Too high temperature
    • Compression pattern outside limits
    • Hardware error 

    If LUCAS does not operate properly: 

    • Remove the stabilization strap and device 
    • Start manual chest compressions immediately

    Focus on the patient, not the device

    • If you cannot apply or start LUCAS, or if the device doesn’t operate properly, immediately start manual chest compressions and follow your resuscitation protocols.
    • If the device doesn’t work, release stabilization strap, remove the device from the patient, immediately start manual chest compressions. Let somebody else troubleshoot the device.



    Did you know that:

    LUCAS has documented a very high operational reliability in over 99 % of its applications in clinical use.2