AED Pad Orientation Sensors for Automated Pediatric Dose Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional automated external defibrillators (AEDs) face challenges in fully automating the selection between adult and pediatric defibrillation doses, leading to potential incorrect operations and internal space constraints that limit battery size and device lifespan.
Innovation Solution
The development of an AED with two or more angular motion sensors that determine the relative orientation of electrodes and automatically select between adult and pediatric defibrillation doses based on these orientations, combined with a processor that analyzes electrocardiogram signals to determine shockable cardiac rhythms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual selection mechanisms (press buttons, key inserts, child-specific pads) are used to select between adult and paediatric doses, then the AED can differentiate between patient types, but the device complexity increases and internal packaging space is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The AED automatically determines whether to deliver an adult or paediatric dose by detecting the relative orientation of the two pads using motion sensors, eliminating the need for manual selection by caregivers. The system serves itself by autonomously sensing pad configuration and selecting the appropriate shock energy level.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical selection mechanisms (press buttons, key inserts, physical switches) with a sensor-based detection system using angular motion sensors to automatically identify pad orientation and trigger the appropriate dose selection, converting a mechanical interaction into an automated sensing system.
2Reliability
If manual selection arrangements are included in the AED, then dose differentiation is possible, but the internal packaging space for batteries is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the physical selection mechanisms (buttons, switches, separate paediatric pads) from the device and replaces them with an electronic sensing system that uses the existing pad configuration to automatically determine the appropriate dose, thereby freeing up internal space.
Solution Approach 2:
The same two pads used for defibrillation delivery also serve as the sensing element for automatic dose selection. The motion sensors attached to the pads utilize the pads' own positioning and orientation to determine whether adult or paediatric mode is appropriate, eliminating the need for separate selection hardware.
3Volume of moving object
If compact AED form factor is prioritized with small pad footprints, then device portability is improved, but battery size is limited and cycle life is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically determines the appropriate shock energy level based on pad orientation detection, eliminating the need for manual intervention and reducing the time required for dose selection. This automation streamlines the overall device operation within the compact form factor.
4Reliability
If separate pads for infant and adult dosages are used, then dose accuracy is improved, but the device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the same two pads for both adult and paediatric patients, with the pads serving dual purposes: as the defibrillation delivery interface and as the sensing element for automatic dose determination. The motion sensors on the pads detect their relative orientation to automatically select the appropriate energy level, eliminating the need for separate paediatric and adult pad sets.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution enables fully automated dose selection, reducing the risk of incorrect operations and optimizing internal space for larger batteries, thereby extending the cycle life and shelf life of compact AEDs.
Implementation Method 1
two or more angular motion sensors that allow the AED to determine the relative orientation of the AED electrodes
Implementation Method 2
analyse electrocardiogram (ECG) signals from the two electrodes to determine shockable cardiac rhythms
Data Source
AI summary
Described is an AED and method of use, comprising two pads to be placed on a patient, two electrodes on the two pads respectively, two angular motion sensors associated with the two pads respectively, a shock generation circuit to generate doses of defibrillation shocks, and a processor with memory and power supply, the processor configured to analyse angular motion signals from the two angular motion sensors to determine orientations of the two pads relative to one another, analyse electrocardiogram (ECG) signals from the two electrodes to determine shockable cardiac rhythms, automatically select between adult doses and paediatric doses of defibrillation shocks to be delivered by the two electrodes based, at least in part, on the orientations of the two pads.