Reconfigurable Cardiac Sensor Patch-Holster for Comfortable Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical devices for monitoring cardiac arrhythmias and thoracic fluid levels in patients with heart failure lack flexibility and comfort, often requiring invasive implantation or long-term adhesive patches that can cause discomfort and limit patient mobility.
Innovation Solution
A multi-mode sensor system that can be configured for either a patch or holster mode, allowing continuous or intermittent data acquisition and transmission, with removable attachment mechanisms and electrical contacts for versatile patient monitoring, including ECG, RF-based data, and posture/movement tracking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a surgical implantation is performed to monitor cardiac arrhythmias, then the reliability of monitoring is improved, but the invasiveness and patient discomfort increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces surgical implantation with a non-invasive wearable device that uses adhesive attachment and wireless communication to achieve reliable cardiac arrhythmia monitoring without mechanical intrusion into the body
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a wearable monitor as an intermediary device that bridges the gap between non-invasive external monitoring and reliable cardiac data acquisition, using adhesive attachment and signal processing to achieve dependable monitoring without surgery
2Duration of action of stationary object
If a long-term adhesive patch is used for monitoring, then the duration of monitoring is improved, but the patient comfort and mobility are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the monitoring system dynamic by allowing patients to remove and reposition the adhesive patch as needed, transforming it from a fixed long-term implant into a flexible removable device that adapts to patient mobility requirements while maintaining monitoring capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables the adhesive patch to be temporarily removed and reapplied, allowing patients to recover mobility when needed while maintaining the ability to resume monitoring when adherence is required, balancing duration with comfort
3Ease of operation
If a wearable monitor is used for ambulatory monitoring, then the patient mobility is improved, but the measurement precision may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical fixation systems with adhesive attachment that provides sufficient stability for accurate arrhythmia detection while allowing patient mobility, using wireless signal transmission to eliminate cables and mechanical constraints
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
Provides flexible and comfortable patient monitoring options, enhancing patient compliance and clinical efficacy by allowing seamless transitions between modes based on patient preference and activity level, while maintaining continuous data acquisition and remote transmission.
Implementation Method 1
Radio-frequency (RF) electromagnetic radiation has been used for diagnosis and imaging of body tissues. Diagnostic devices that include an antenna can be used to direct the RF electromagnetic waves into a body and generate signals responsively to the waves that are scattered from within the body.
Data Source
AI summary
A patient monitoring system for monitoring physiological data of a patient includes a patch including a base configured to be removably attached to skin of the patient, a housing disposed on the base, and a plurality of electrodes disposed in or on the base; a wearable cardioverter defibrillator including a support garment configured to be worn by the patient, an electrode assembly carried by the support garment, and a holder disposed on the support garment; and a multi-mode sensor configured to continuously and/or intermittently acquire physiological data from the patient. The multi-mode sensor includes an attachment mechanism configured to removably connect the multi-mode sensor to either the housing of the patch or the holder of the support garment.