Wearable Cardiac Electrode Attachment via Modular Receptacles

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wearable cardiac devices face challenges in maintaining continuous, comfortable, and reliable cardiac monitoring and treatment for arrhythmia conditions, particularly in patients with heart failure, due to difficulties in securing sensing electrodes during movement and the need for easy electrode replacement for hygiene and extended wear.

Innovation Solution

A wearable cardiac device featuring a garment with integrated sensing electrode receptacles and securement mechanisms, including annular holders, locks, and guides, that allow for removable and secure installation of sensing electrodes, ensuring consistent skin contact and easy replacement, while also housing therapy electrodes for arrhythmia treatment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If sensing electrodes are securely fixed to maintain continuous contact during patient movement, then reliability of cardiac signal detection is improved, but ease of electrode replacement for hygiene and extended wear deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereliability of cardiac signal detectionVSAvoidease of electrode replacement

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The electrode attachment system is divided into separate modular components: the garment with integrated receptacles, the electrodes themselves, and removable securement mechanisms. This segmentation allows electrodes to be easily removed and replaced while maintaining secure contact during wear, resolving the contradiction between reliability and ease of replacement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The electrode receptacles incorporate dynamic securement mechanisms that allow for quick attachment and detachment of electrodes. The system transitions from a static permanent fixation to a dynamic removable fixation, enabling both secure contact during monitoring and easy replacement when needed for hygiene or extended wear.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If sensing electrodes are permanently integrated into the garment, then ease of operation is improved, but adaptability for hygiene maintenance and extended wear deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of electrode installationVSAvoidadaptability for hygiene maintenance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The electrode system is segmented into removable components rather than permanent integration. Electrodes can be detached from the garment for hygiene maintenance or replacement, providing adaptability while maintaining ease of reinstallation through the standardized receptacle interface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system allows for periodic discarding (removal) of electrodes for hygiene maintenance and recovery (reinstallation) into the same or different receptacles. This enables extended wear cycles with intermediate removal for cleaning or replacement, combining ease of operation with adaptability for hygiene.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

3Measurement precision

If multiple sensing electrode receptacles are integrated into the garment for predetermined anatomical locations, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprecision of ECG signal detectionVSAvoidcomplexity of electrode receptacle system

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple electrode receptacles are merged into a single garment structure, with each receptacle positioned at predetermined anatomical locations. This integration provides precise electrode placement for accurate ECG detection while consolidating the system into one wearable unit, balancing measurement precision with manageable device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The garment with integrated receptacles serves multiple functions: it positions electrodes at precise anatomical locations for accurate measurement, maintains secure contact during movement, and allows easy electrode replacement. This multi-functionality addresses measurement precision needs while managing overall system complexity through a unified design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20240238604A1Electrode attachment in wearable cardiac devices

Publication Date: 2024.07.18 ZOLL MEDICAL CORPORATION

AI summary

Ambulatory cardiac devices for providing comfortable, long-term continuous cardiac monitoring and treatment for arrythmia conditions. Examples of a device include sensing electrodes configured to detect ECG signals of an ambulatory patient, a garment configured to be worn about the patient's thorax, and sensing electrode receptacles configured to dispose, via the garment, the sensing electrodes at predetermined anatomical locations on the patient's thorax, and maintain, via the garment, contact between the sensing electrodes and the predetermined anatomical locations despite movement of the patient's thorax. In examples, each sensing electrode receptacle forms an opening in the garment and includes a securement device configured to allow for removable installation of a sensing electrode, a lock configured to inhibit movement of the sensing electrode separate from the sensing electrode receptacle, and a guide configured to align the sensing electrode with one of the predetermined anatomical locations of the patient's thorax through the opening.