AED Models Archives - AED Museum

August 5, 2019August 9, 2019

The AED 7000 – M&B Electronics

The AED7000 was described as a no-nonsense AED that was known for its low selling price and low maintenance costs. At the time of its introduction, this AED was the first AED with a recommended retail price of less than €1000 and at just €899 it was no less than €250 cheaper than the lowest price AED up to that time. In addition to the low purchase price, the maintenance costs were also very low, this was mainly due to the fact that a second battery was supplied with the purchase.

From December 2011 to May 2012, the AED 7000 was available in the Netherlands in a yellow colour, from May 2012 the colour of the AED was changed to green.

Despite the fact that the AED 7000 was competitively priced and had few technical problems, it was never sold in large numbers in Europe. One of the reasons for this was the introduction of another cheap AED, the Telefunken Defibrillator. But the reputation of “Made in China” probably also influenced this.

After a number of changes to the importing status of the AED7000, this AED is, as far as we can tell, no longer for sale in the Netherlands. However, this AED is still occasionally offered in other countries. The accessories are still available on the Dutch market.

August 5, 2019August 5, 2019

Cardiac Science Powerheart G3 AED

The Cardiac Science Powerheart G3 AED, not to be confused with the older Cardiac Science Powerheart, existed in 4 different versions:

Model 9300E: Cardiac Science Powerheart G3 semi-automatic
Model 9300A: Cardiac Science Powerheart G3 fully automatic
Model 9390E: Cardiac Science Powerheart G3 Plus semi-automatic
Model 9390A: Cardiac Science Powerheart G3 Plus fully automatic

The first 2 models 9300E and 9300A have been available on the market for a long time, these were later supplemented with the “Plus” models 9390E and 9390A. These “Plus” versions contain more extensive texts and a metronome of 100 beats per minute, for the correct chest compression frequency compared to the “normal” Powerheart G3.

After the appearance of the two Plus models, the two normal models slowly faded into the background and in the Netherlands almost exclusively Plus versions of the Cardiac Science were sold in 2012, unlike some other European countries, such as England, where the standard version remained popular for a long time.

In July 2014, Cardiac Science announced that they would stop selling the Powerheart G3 AEDs in Europe. Partly because of the introduction of the new Powerheart G5 but also because of new EU regulations (RoHS Directive – Restriction of Hazardous Substances). These regulations indicated that the housing of the Powerheart G3 contained substances that were prohibited within the EU.

Outside of Europe, the sale of the Cardiac Science Powerheart G3 has continued, evidenced by the many web stores that offer this AED outside of Europe. The Powerheart G3 is also still topical in press releases from Cardiac Science themselves. Accessories for the Powerheart G3 are also still available.

Recently (April / May 2019) we have heard rumours through several channels, that the Cardiac Science Powerheart G3 AED would be put back into production for the European market, but we do not yet have any official reports confirming this.

There is also a fifth model of the Powerheart G3, the Cardiac Science Powerheart G3 Pro. This Cardiac Science Powerheart G3 Pro (model number 9300P) is an AED that is sold very little in the Netherlands. The G3 Pro is based on the Powerheart G3, but with a few extras such as a colour screen, the possibility of ECG monitoring and the possibility of manual operation (manual over-ride).

August 5, 2019May 6, 2021

General Electric Responder AED

The Responder AED from General Electric (GE) is an AED that has been available on the market for a long time.

The General Electric Responder AED was produced by Cardiac Science. The collaboration between Cardiac Science and GE Healthcare began in 2003.

The important benefits that the GE Responder had are almost the same as the benefits that applied to the Cardiac Science Powerheart G3: This AED had the ability to synchronize the shock in the event of a Supraventricular Tachycardia (SVT), and was known for its long battery life (guaranteed 4 years). The GE Responder’s advantage over the Cardiac Science Powerheart G3 was the price, the GE was cheaper than the Cardiac Science AEDs. A disadvantage was the high price for the batteries for both the Cardiac Science and the GE Responder.

The GE Responder was not only technically similar to the Cardiac Science Powerheart G3, but also the GE and Cardiac Science accessories (with the exception of the battery) were interchangeable. For the Cardiac Science models of the Powerheart G3 the yellow battery with type 9146 was needed, for the GE Responder it was the orange battery with type 9142, which was available up to and including 2016. These batteries were otherwise technically interchangeable, but Cardiac Science indicated that using the alternative battery would invalidate the AEDs guarantee.

The model number of the GE Responder AED is 2019198-115. In addition to this AED, a GE Responder Pro was also available, but we do not have copies of this in the AED museum.

August 5, 2019August 5, 2019

Medtronic Physio-Control Lifepak 500 AED

The Lifepak 500 (left) and Lifepak 500 DPS (right)

The Medtronic/Physio-Control Lifepak 500 AED (yellow, left in the photo) was one of the first AEDs to be sold on a large scale. This AED appeared on the market in 1997 and production ceased on January 26, 2007.

Medtronic Physio-Control indicated at the time that the accessories would remain available for at least 7 years after production ceased. The Lifepak 500 AED was officially declared “end-of-life” on January 31, 2015. Given the large number of AEDs sold however, accessories for the Lifepak 500 AED are still well available to date.

The name “Lifepak” is therefore written with a k and not with ck. This name is often incorrectly spelled as “Lifepack” by many users and also providers of these AEDs.

Given the popularity of the Lifepak 500 within the professional market, the Lifepak 500 has also been available with rechargeable batteries, but as far as we know it is used less often.

The Medtronic/Physio-Control Lifepak 500 DPS (black, on the right in the photo) is a special version of the “standard” Lifepak 500 AED. The abbreviation DPS stands for Defibrillator Public Safety. This version was considered a special “robust” version of the “normal” Lifepak 500. The 500 DPS was tested according to various military standards, based on pressure, shocks, vibrations, salt and acceleration and was suitable for regular use. The appearance is also slightly different: Instead of the yellow colour of the Lifepak 500, the DPS is entirely in black.

The Lifepak 500 DPS was a fairly rare model. The copy that is in the possession of the AED Museum had served as AED on the beaches of Vlissingen, The Netherlands, for many years, due to the particularly robust properties, in particular its resistance against salt water and sand contamination.

Both the Lifepak 500 and the Lifepak 500 DPS have been succeeded by the Physio-Control Lifepak 1000 AED, which has been available since the end of 2006.

August 5, 2019August 5, 2019

Access AED

The Access AED was available in the Netherlands for some time via the company HCS Cardio. This small AED came onto the market in 2000 and was already turning heads with its striking appearance due to its compact dimensions. It is estimated that more than 15,000 Access AEDs were sold worldwide.

The manufacturer of the Access AED, Access Cardiosystems, released two different models: the Access AED and the Access ALS. Unfortunately little information is known about the latter model. The Access AED was certainly not a bad AED in terms of specifications: ECG display on an LCD screen, escalating energy up to 360 J, and particularly small dimensions (7.6 x 18.5 x10.9 cm) with a weight of 1.3 KG.

Unfortunately, these specifications did not lead to a reliable AED …

This AED was withdrawn from the market by the FDA because of a Class I recall in November 2004, the highest classification and most serious form of recall. Due to an error on the motherboard it was possible that this AED would not provide a shock if it were needed and there were also problems with the on/off button not working, making it impossible to provide a shock.

Most of the Access AEDs have been actively withdrawn from the market, but here and there some specimens are still floating around, one of which has ended up in our AED museum!

August 5, 2019May 6, 2021

Telefunken Defibrillator

In November 2011, the Telefunken Defibrillator was first presented as a demonstration model in the Netherlands. This AED, which would initially be called HeartReset, was presented on that day as the Telefunken HeartReset AED. During the official introduction in 2012, the name HeartReset disappeared and the Telefunken Defibrillator or Telefunken AED became the official name.

The Telefunken Defibrillator was the first true Dutch AED. Although the Dutch brand Philips is a major player in the AED market, these AEDs are produced elsewhere. The Telefunken was actually assembled in Eindhoven, and could therefore be called a truly Dutch AED.

The first Telefunken Defibrillators appeared on the market on 13 July 2012. The Telefunken has been a popular AED since its introduction. Not only because of the the low price, but also because of its specifications. The Telefunken Defibrillator first appeared on the market as a semi-automatic, model HR1. A fully automatic version was also introduced later in 2012, model FA1.

Unfortunately, the Telefunken Defibrillator did not last long. After a period of technical issues and payment problems, the bankruptcy of the manufacturer, Defiteq International from Eindhoven, was declared on 24 December 2013. Even after the bankruptcy there still appeared to be technical problems concerning the Telefunken AED.

Strangely enough, here and there in 2019, Telefunken Defibrillators are still appearing in the European market. It is unknown to us whether these are recent models or special “refurbished” models. Update April 4, 2019: In Ireland, the Health Products Regulatory Authority HPRA issued a Class 2 warning for the Telefunken AED, which shows that the CE certificate had already been put on hold in July 2016 and was revoked in April 2017. They recommend that you no longer use the Telefunken AED and Telefunken accessories: see this link.

August 5, 2019August 5, 2019

WelchAllyn AED10

WelchAllyn was and is a well-known brand among general practitioners. WelchAllyn has launched two types of AED: the AED10 and the AED20. The AED20 was a very rare phenomenon, but the WelchAllyn AED10 was a fairly widely sold AED, of which many hundreds have been sold. The WelchAllyn AED10 has also been available as the PIC10 and as the MRL JumpStart AED.

Unfortunately, the AED10 from WelchAllyn experienced a series of technical problems and recalls, so this AED has not been available since April 2009. Production was restarted in November 2009, but no longer at the WelchAllyn factories themselves, instead it was produced at Zoll factories, another medical manufacturer of AEDs.

In November 2010 it was reported that production of the WelchAllyn AED10 for the US market had stopped and in February 2011 a total shutdown of production was announced.

Since January 1, 2014, WelchAllyn no longer offers repair support for the WelchAllyn AED10. The supply of accessories such as batteries and electrodes has also subsequently stopped.

July 3, 2019August 5, 2019

Philips/Laerdal Heartstart FR2

The Philips Heartstart FR2 / Laerdal Heartstart FR2 AED

Sale of the Philips Heartstart FR2 AED, also known as the Laerdal Heartstart FR2 AED, ceased in September 2009. The FR2 was primarily intended for use in the professional market and for intensive use. The FR2 has been in production since 2000.

After production ceased on 18 May 2009 and following the announcement that FR2 AEDs were no longer available in September 2009, the Philips Heartstart FR3 was still not ready for delivery, which is why Philips advised customers to switch to the Heartstart FRx. However, the FRx was not suitable for customers who wanted to continue using an ECG screen and for that reason many “refurbished” and second-hand AED units are being offered for sale, especially in the US.

With the arrival of the Heartstart FR3, the FR2 has been definitively replaced.

The Heartstart FR2 and Heartstart FR2 + models are often used interchangeably, the FR2 + is a more extensive version of the FR2.

FR2 + models:

M3861A – Display with text only
M3860A – Display with ECG display

Accessories for the Heartstart FR2 have been discontinued, but are still available while stocks last at the time of writing. There is a chance that you may also come across this AED somewhere “in the wild”.