BS EN 60601-2-4:2011+A1:2019

This standard BS EN 60601-2-4:2011+A1:2019 Medical electrical equipment is classified in these ICS categories:

• 11.040.10 Anaesthetic, respiratory and reanimation equipment

Clause 1 of the general standard 1 applies, except as follows:

201.1.1 * Scope

Replacement:

This International Standard applies to the basic safety and essential performance of cardiac defibrillators, hereafter referred to as me equipment.

If a clause or subclause is specifically intended to be applicable to me equipment only, or to me systems only, the title and content of that clause or subclause will say so. If that is not the case, the clause or subclause applies both to me equipment and to me systems, as relevant.

Hazards inherent in the intended physiological function of me equipment or me systems within the scope of this standard are not covered by specific requirements in this standard except in 7.2.13 and 8.4.1 of the general standard.

NOTE See also 4.2 of the general standard.

This particular standard does not apply to implantable defibrillators, remote control defibrillators, or separate stand-alone cardiac monitors (which are standardized by IEC 60601‑2‑27:2011 [2]2). Cardiac monitors which use separate ECG monitoring electrodes are not within the scope of this standard unless they are used as the sole basis for AED rhythm recognition detection or beat detection for synchronized cardioversion. defibrillator electrodes as described in 201.108 can also be used for ECG monitoring; however, due to the larger electrode area, the requirements of IEC 60601‑2‑27 are not applicable for defibrillator electrodes.

Defibrillation waveform technology is evolving rapidly. Published studies indicate that the effectiveness of waveforms varies. The choice of a particular waveform including waveshape, delivered energy, efficacy, and safety has been specifically excluded from the scope of this standard.

However, due to the critical importance of the therapeutic waveform, comments have been added to the rationale which addresses considerations in waveform selection.

201.1.2 Object

Replacement:

The object of this particular standard is to establish particular basic safety and essential performance requirements for cardiac defibrillators as defined in 201.3.202.

201.1.3 Collateral standards

Addition:

This particular standard refers to those applicable collateral standards that are listed in Clause 2 of the general standard and Clause 201.2 of this particular standard.

IEC 60601‑1‑2 applies as modified in Clause 202. All other published collateral standards in the IEC 60601‑1 series apply as published.

201.1.4 Particular standards

Replacement:

In the IEC 60601 series, particular standards may modify, replace or delete requirements contained in the general standard and collateral standards as appropriate for the particular me equipment under consideration, and may add other basic safety and essential performance requirements.

A requirement of a particular standard takes priority over the general standard.

For brevity, IEC 60601‑1 is referred to in this particular standard as the general standard. Collateral standards are referred to by their document number.

The numbering of clauses and subclauses of this particular standard corresponds to that of the general standard with the prefix “201” (e.g. 201.1 in this standard addresses the content of Clause 1 of the general standard) or applicable collateral standard with the prefix “20x” where x is the final digit(s) of the collateral standard document number (e.g. 202.4 in this particular standard addresses the content of Clause 4 of the IEC 60601‑1‑2 collateral standard, 203.4 in this particular standard addresses the content of Clause 4 of the IEC 60601‑1‑3 collateral standard, etc.). The changes to the text of the general standard are specified by the use of the following words:

"Replacement" means that the clause or subclause of the general standard or applicable collateral standard is replaced completely by the text of this particular standard.

"Addition" means that the text of this particular standard is additional to the requirements of the general standard or applicable collateral standard.

"Amendment" means that the clause or subclause of the general standard or applicable collateral standard is amended as indicated by the text of this particular standard.

Subclauses, figures or tables which are additional to those of the general standard are numbered starting from 201.101. However, due to the fact that definitions in the general standard are numbered 3.1 through 3.139, additional definitions in this standard are numbered beginning from 201.3.201. Additional annexes are lettered AA, BB, etc., and additional items aa), bb), etc.

Subclauses, figures or tables which are additional to those of a collateral standard are numbered starting from 20x, where “x” is the number of the collateral standard, e.g. 202 for IEC 60601‑1‑2, 203 for IEC 60601‑1‑3, etc.

The term "this standard" is used to make reference to the general standard, any applicable collateral standards and this particular standard taken together.

Where there is no corresponding clause or subclause in this particular standard, the clause or subclause of the general standard or applicable collateral standard, although possibly not relevant, applies without modification; where it is intended that any part of the general standard or applicable collateral standard, although possibly relevant, is not to be applied, a statement to that effect is given in this particular standard.