Defibrillator Accessory Layout for Cable Retention and Fast Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Emergency responders face challenges in efficiently monitoring and treating patients due to the mental and time-consuming tasks of processing patient information, finding and connecting medical device accessories, and preventing accidental disconnections of cables from medical devices during patient transport.

Innovation Solution

A defibrillator with an accessory cable port and a port guard that reduces the risk of cable disconnection, along with a storage bag for organizing and storing accessories, and a kickstand for improving the visibility of the medical device's display.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the accessory cable port is flush with the exterior surface, then the device has a sleek appearance and easier cleaning, but the cable connector is vulnerable to accidental disconnection during patient transport

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecable connection reliabilityVSAvoidport structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The port guard protrudes from the exterior surface in advance to create a physical barrier that prevents accidental disconnection of the cable connector during patient transport, addressing the reliability issue before it occurs

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The port guard is designed as a separate component that can be attached to or integrated with the device housing, allowing the connection protection function to be added without completely redesigning the port structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If emergency responders must manually find and connect accessories to the medical device, then the device has simpler design, but it consumes valuable time during patient treatment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepatient treatment speedVSAvoidaccessory organization system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The storage bag pre-organizes accessories and positions them for quick access, and the port guard pre-positions the connection point, reducing the time emergency responders need to locate and connect accessories during patient treatment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The storage bag acts as an intermediary between the accessories and the medical device, providing an organized intermediate storage location that facilitates rapid accessory deployment without requiring complex automated connection systems

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Illumination intensity

If the medical device is placed on a flat surface for stability, then the device remains secure during transport, but the display becomes difficult for emergency responders to see

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay visibilityVSAvoiddevice placement stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The kickstand provides a dynamic positioning solution that allows the device to be tilted to an optimal viewing angle while maintaining stability through its extended support structure, enabling both good display visibility and secure placement

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Reliability

If cables are allowed to move freely during patient transport, then the device has simpler design, but the cables frequently disconnect from the medical device

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecable connection stabilityVSAvoidcable management ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The port guard creates a preliminary physical barrier that prevents the harmful action of accidental cable disconnection during patient transport by blocking the path that would allow the connector to become dislodged

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Data Source

PatentEP4287421B1Medical device accessories
Publication Date: 2025.06.18 PHYSIO CONTROL CORP
  • EP4287421B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP4287421B1 patent drawingFigure 1B~1C
  • EP4287421B1 patent drawingFigure 1D

AI summary

Accessories of a medical device, such as a defibrillator, are described. The accessories reduce delays in treating or monitoring a patient by increasing the efficiency of using, and the ease of use of, the medical device. An adjustable kickstand is movable between a collapsed and extended position to recline the medical device. In the reclined position, a display of the medical device can be more easily viewed by the user. Storage bags can be coupled to the medical device to efficiently store accessories for use with the medical device. The stored accessories can be coupled to the medical device while the accessories are stored within the storage bags. A port guard can protect and shield a connection between a cable and a port of the medical device to prevent the cable (e.g., an ECG cable) from being disconnected from the port of the medical device.