Capacitor Framing for Wearable Cardiac Device Serviceability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wearable cardiac monitoring and treatment devices face challenges in durability and serviceability, particularly when used continuously by ambulatory patients, as they need to withstand daily wear and tear while allowing for easy maintenance and refurbishment.
Innovation Solution
A serviceable wearable cardiac treatment device is designed with a garment containing ECG sensing and therapy electrodes and a device controller. The device controller features an impact-resistant energy core with a permanently bonded capacitor, affixed circuit boards, and an ingress-protective housing that allows for the removal and replacement of components during service.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the device is designed for continuous extended use by ambulatory patients, then the device must be durable and resilient, but this reduces serviceability and makes maintenance difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into separable modules including a removable battery pack, detachable circuit boards, and separable housing components. This segmentation allows individual components to be serviced or replaced without affecting the entire device, maintaining durability while improving serviceability.
Solution Approach 2:
The device transitions from a static, permanent structure to a dynamic, reconfigurable system with removable and replaceable components. The housing can be opened and closed, the battery can be removed and reinstalled, and circuit boards can be detached and replaced, enabling easy maintenance while ensuring continuous reliability.
2Strength
If the capacitor is permanently bonded to the frame to create a unitary mass, then impact resistance is improved, but component replacement becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The permanently bonded capacitor assembly is segmented as a complete replacement unit rather than individual components. When the capacitor fails, the entire unitary mass is replaced as one component, maintaining impact resistance through the permanent bonding while simplifying repair procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The capacitor unitary mass is designed as a disposable or limited-life component that is permanently bonded for maximum durability during use, but can be easily replaced as a complete unit when failing, balancing permanent strength with replaceability.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the circuit boards are affixed to opposing sides of the energy core, then structural stability is improved, but disassembly for servicing becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The circuit boards are segmented as separate, removable components that can be independently accessed and replaced. The affixing mechanism allows stable attachment during operation but enables systematic disassembly for servicing by removing boards one at a time from opposing sides.
Solution Approach 2:
The circuit board attachment transitions from a static permanent state to a dynamic removable state. The boards are affixed to provide structural stability during use, but can be systematically removed and replaced during servicing, balancing stability with serviceability.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If the housing is designed to be ingress-protective, then protection from environmental damage is improved, but access for maintenance becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The ingress-protective housing is segmented into separable panels or sections that can be individually removed or opened. This segmentation maintains the protective seal against environmental factors while providing access to internal components for maintenance and servicing.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing transitions from a static sealed structure to a dynamic accessible structure. The housing can be closed and sealed to provide environmental protection during use, but can be opened and accessed during servicing, balancing protection with maintainability.
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 solution enhances the resilience and serviceability of wearable cardiac treatment devices, enabling them to withstand continuous extended use while facilitating uncomplicated servicing and refurbishment for reuse by subsequent patients.
Implementation Method 1
The at least one capacitor configured to hold electrical charge sufficient to treat the cardiac arrhythmia
Data Source
AI summary
A serviceable wearable cardiac treatment device for continuous extended use by an ambulatory patient includes a garment and a device controller. The garment is configured to dispose therein a plurality of ECG sensing and therapy electrodes. The device controller is configured to be in separable electrical communication with the plurality of ECG sensing and therapy electrodes. The device controller includes an impact-resistant energy core, including a frame and capacitor(s) permanently bonded to the frame. The device controller includes a critical function circuit board, including critical function processor(s) and circuitry, and a non-critical function circuit board, including non-critical function processor(s) and circuitry. The critical function circuit board is in electrical communication with the capacitor(s) and configured to control critical operations of the device controller regardless of operability of the non-critical function circuit board. The non-critical function circuit board is configured to control non-critical operations of the device controller.