Ambulatory Cardiac Device Exertion Testing via Heart Rate Criteria
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current technologies lack an efficient and convenient method for performing exertion testing on cardiac rehabilitation patients, particularly those with heart failure, as existing systems require frequent hospital visits and are not adaptable to individual patient needs.
Innovation Solution
An ambulatory externally worn cardiac device that automatically assesses a patient's physical condition by using ECG sensing electrodes, motion detectors, and a processor to monitor heart rate and activity levels, and initiate exertion tests based on predefined criteria.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional exertion testing methods are used requiring frequent hospital visits, then measurement precision can be maintained, but patient convenience and adherence deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables patients to perform exertion testing at home using their own devices (smartphone, wearable sensors) without requiring hospital staff or equipment. The mobile device automatically collects physiological data, processes it through algorithms, and generates exercise prescriptions, allowing patients to self-administer the testing while maintaining clinical-grade measurement precision through validated sensor integration and processing protocols.
2Measurement precision
If standardized exertion testing protocols are used, then measurement consistency is improved, but adaptability to individual patient needs deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts exertion testing parameters based on real-time patient response and historical data. The mobile device continuously monitors physiological signals during exercise, automatically modifies test intensity and duration according to patient tolerance, and updates exercise prescriptions over time as the patient's condition improves. This creates a flexible protocol that maintains measurement consistency through structured algorithms while adapting to individual patient needs and responses.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes multiple parameters simultaneously including exercise intensity, duration, type of activity, and monitoring frequency based on patient-specific factors such as baseline fitness level, cardiac risk factors, and real-time physiological response. The mobile health platform uses processed physiological data to automatically adjust these parameters, creating personalized exercise prescriptions that evolve with the patient's condition while maintaining standardized measurement approaches for consistency.
3Measurement precision
If continuous monitoring of multiple physiological parameters is implemented, then measurement precision improves, but device complexity and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system monitors multiple physiological parameters continuously during exercise but uses selective processing approaches. Not all parameters are processed with equal depth at all times - the system focuses computational resources on the most relevant parameters for the current exercise intensity and patient condition. During low-intensity exercise, fewer parameters are continuously analyzed, while high-intensity exercise triggers more comprehensive monitoring and processing, optimizing energy usage based on actual testing needs.
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
The device enables remote and personalized exertion testing, improving patient convenience and adherence to cardiac rehabilitation plans, while providing real-time monitoring and feedback to healthcare providers.
Implementation Method 1
one or more externally worn ECG sensing electrodes configured to detect at least one cardiac electric signal of the ambulatory patient
Implementation Method 2
one or more motion detectors configured to detect at least one motion signal indicative of patient movement
Data Source
AI summary
An ambulatory medical device configured to assess a patient's physical condition is provided. The device includes externally worn ECG sensing electrodes configured to detect at least one cardiac electric signal of the patient, motion detectors configured to detect at least one motion signal indicative of patient movement, and a processor operably coupled to the sensing electrodes and the motion detectors. The processor is configured to receive, for the patient, initiating criterion corresponding to an ambulatory exertion test, wherein the initiating criterion specifies heartrate-dependent parameter requirements and/or activity level-dependent parameter requirements; continuously monitor a current heartrate-dependent parameter and/or a current activity level-dependent parameter of the patient; periodically determine whether the current heartrate-dependent parameter and/or the current activity level-dependent parameter satisfies the initiating criterion; invite the patient to participate in the ambulatory exertion test; and initiate, upon receiving patient input indicating acceptance of the invitation, the ambulatory exertion test.