LUCAS

LUCAS is a mechanical chest compression device. In cryonics, it is used to re-establish blood circulation and oxygenation in cryonics patients following cardiac arrest. LUCAS is developed and manufactured by Jolife AB in Sweden.

Like the modified Michigan Instruments "thumper" that is used in cryonics, the LUCAS delivers active compression-decompression cardiopulmonary support by pneumatically compressing and decompressing the chest between a suction cup and the backboard at a consistent rate of 100 compressions per minute and a compression depth of about 4–5 cm (depending on patient body weight). According to the Alcor Life Extension Foundation website, some clear advantages of the LUCAS include price, size (< 445 mm), and weight (6.5 kg), but some limitations include the lack of an integrated ventilation option, necessitating a separate ventilator, and a sternum height range of 17–27 cm, preventing its use on obese patients.

Alcor acquired the LUCAS in early 2003. As of 2006, the LUCAS is currently the default CPS device in the Alcor rescue vehicle.