Capacitor Framing for Wearable Cardiac Device Serviceability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wearable cardiac monitoring and treatment devices require enhanced resilience and serviceability to continuously monitor and treat cardiac arrhythmias effectively, especially for extended periods, while withstanding daily wear and tear and environmental factors.
Innovation Solution
A serviceable wearable cardiac treatment device featuring a garment with integrated ECG sensing and therapy electrodes, an impact-resistant energy core with a permanently bonded capacitor, and an ingress-protective housing that allows for easy removal and replacement of components during servicing, ensuring continuous operation and longevity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the capacitor is permanently bonded to the frame to form a unitary mass, then impact resistance and structural stability are improved, but ease of repair and component replacement are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into modular segments: the energy core (capacitor + frame) as one serviceable unit, the housing as another, and circuit boards as separate replaceable components. This segmentation allows the capacitor to be permanently bonded within the energy core for impact resistance, while the entire energy core can be replaced as a unit if needed, balancing structural strength with repairability.
2Ease of repair
If the housing is designed to allow removal of the energy core and circuit boards during service, then ease of repair is improved, but structural integrity and protection are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is pre-designed with service ports and access points that are sealed and protected during normal operation. These preliminary design features allow technicians to access internal components (energy core, circuit boards) when needed, while maintaining structural integrity and environmental protection during regular use. The service ports can be opened only when service is required.
3Duration of action of moving object
If the device is designed for continuous extended use by ambulatory patients, then duration of action is improved, but exposure to harmful environmental factors is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The energy core is permanently bonded to the frame with the capacitor immovably secured, creating a pre-cushioned, impact-resistant unit that can withstand daily wear and environmental factors before they cause damage. This preliminary structural reinforcement protects the sensitive capacitor from shocks and environmental exposure during continuous ambulatory use, extending the device's operational life.
Data Source
AI summary
A serviceable wearable cardiac treatment device for continuous extended use by an ambulatory patient includes a garment, a device controller, and an ingress-protective housing. The garment is configured to dispose therein a plurality of ECG sensing and therapy electrodes to monitor for and treat a cardiac arrhythmia in the patient. The device controller is configured to be in separable electrical communication with the plurality of ECG sensing and therapy electrodes and includes an impact-resistant energy core, and first and second circuit boards affixed to opposing sides of the impact-resistant energy core. The impact-resistant energy core includes a frame and at least one capacitor permanently bonded to the frame to form a unitary mass. The ingress-protective housing is configured to enable removal of the impact-resistant energy core and the first and second circuit boards during servicing.