Conductive Gel Reservoirs Around Seals for Faster, Even Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing conductive gel deployment devices in medical therapy systems, such as wearable defibrillators, face challenges with inefficient gel flow due to limited contact between gel reservoirs and adhesive seals, leading to slowed gel deployment and potential premature seal failure under pressure.
Innovation Solution
A conductive gel deployment device with gel reservoirs configured to surround adhesive seals, allowing for distributed pressure application and simultaneous release of gel from multiple points, facilitated by fluid conduits and exit ports for even distribution on the patient's skin.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If gel reservoirs are positioned adjacent to adhesive seals with limited contact, then device complexity is reduced, but gel deployment speed decreases and seal reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The gel reservoir is divided into multiple segments or zones that contact different portions of the adhesive seal perimeter. This segmentation allows pressure to be distributed across multiple contact points simultaneously, accelerating gel deployment while maintaining a relatively simple overall device structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The contact interface between gel reservoir and adhesive seal is extended from a single point or small area to a distributed perimeter contact arrangement. By utilizing the dimensional space around the seal perimeter, the design achieves faster gel deployment without significantly increasing device complexity.
2Device complexity
If gel reservoirs are positioned adjacent to adhesive seals with limited contact, then device complexity is reduced, but seal reliability deteriorates due to premature seal failure under pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The load previously concentrated at a single contact point is segmented and distributed across multiple contact points around the seal perimeter. This segmentation prevents any single point from experiencing excessive pressure that could cause premature seal failure, thereby improving reliability without complicating the device design.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the adhesive seal are engaged by gel reservoir segments at different locations around the perimeter. This local quality approach ensures that pressure is applied uniformly across the seal interface, preventing localized stress concentrations that could lead to seal failure.
3Ease of operation
If pressure is applied at a single point to release gel, then ease of operation is maintained, but gel distribution uniformity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The single pressure application point is segmented into multiple pressure application zones around the seal perimeter. When pressure is applied, it is automatically distributed across all contact points simultaneously, ensuring uniform gel release and distribution while requiring only a single user action to initiate.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple pressure application functions are merged into a single user operation. The device design integrates multiple contact points and pressure transmission paths so that one simple user action (applying pressure) simultaneously engages all segments, achieving both ease of operation and uniform gel distribution.
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
Enhances the speed and reliability of conductive gel deployment, ensuring consistent delivery of therapeutic shocks by preventing premature seal failure and optimizing gel flow, thereby improving the effectiveness of medical therapy systems.
Implementation Method 1
the seal is configured to release the conductive gel from at least one of the plurality of gel reservoirs in response to pressure being applied about a perimeter of the seal
Implementation Method 2
the conductive gel is capable of conducting the therapeutic current from the at least one conductive surface to the patient's skin
Data Source
AI summary
A gel deployment device for use with an electrotherapy system is provided. The device includes a plurality of gel reservoirs disposed on a substrate, each of the plurality of gel reservoirs containing conductive gel. Each of the gel reservoirs are positioned adjacent to at least one seal such that the seal restricts flow of the conductive gel. The seal can be configured to release the conductive gel from the gel reservoir in response to pressure being applied about a perimeter of the seal at, for example, multiple points about the perimeter or substantially equally about the perimeter of the seal. In an example, each gel reservoir can be shaped such that the gel reservoir partially or fully surrounds a seal. In another example, multiple gel reservoirs can be arranged in clusters such that the multiple gel reservoirs are positioned about a single seal.