Defibrillator Electrode Identification via Dual Circuit Segmentation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing defibrillator systems lack a reliable mechanism to identify and differentiate between various categories of electrodes, which are crucial for appropriate defibrillation and ECG signal measurement, leading to potential misuse or inefficiency.
Innovation Solution
An electrode identification system featuring a dual pair of conducting contacts and an identification element, with a separate circuit for each pair, allowing the defibrillator to determine the category of the electrode connected through a signal detection and processing unit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single circuit with shared conducting contacts is used for both identification and electrode connection, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability of electrode category identification deteriorates due to potential electrical interference and inability to separately detect identification signals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the electrical connection system into two separate circuits: a first circuit with a first pair of conducting contacts for identification signals and a second circuit with a second pair of conducting contacts for defibrillation signals. This segmentation isolates the identification function from the high-power defibrillation function, preventing electrical interference and ensuring reliable electrode category detection while maintaining manageable device complexity.
2Ease of manufacture
If conducting contacts are not electrically insulated from each other, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the measurement precision of identification signals deteriorates due to electrical interference and cross-contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements physical segmentation through separate cavity portions in the housing - a first cavity portion for the first pair of conducting contacts and identification element, and a second cavity portion for the second pair of conducting contacts. This spatial segmentation with electrical insulation between cavity portions prevents cross-contamination of signals while remaining manufacturable through standard molded housing construction.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing structure acts as an intermediary element that provides electrical insulation between the first and second pairs of conducting contacts. The cavity portions and their separating walls serve as intermediate barriers that isolate the identification circuit from the defibrillation circuit, ensuring signal precision without requiring complex additional insulation components.
3Quantity of substance
If identification element is connected in the same circuit as defibrillation contacts, then the quantity of components is reduced, but the reliability of signal detection deteriorates due to electrical interference from high-power defibrillation pulses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the electrical connections into distinct circuits - the first pair of conducting contacts carries only low-power identification signals to the identification element, while the second pair carries high-power defibrillation signals. This segmentation prevents the high-power pulses from interfering with the sensitive identification detection, ensuring reliable signal detection while using a minimal number of components.
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
Enables accurate identification of electrode categories, ensuring appropriate defibrillation signals are delivered based on the connected electrode type, enhancing safety and effectiveness in various applications.
Implementation Method 1
a first pair of conducting contacts, an identification element connected between the first pair of conducting contacts
Implementation Method 2
the housing of the electrode plug provides its cavity divided into separate first and second portions... to electrically insulate the first pair of conducting contacts of the electrode plug and the identification element from the second pair of conducting contacts
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
An electrode identification system (1) for defibrillators, comprising an electrode plug (2) adapted for connection to at least one electrode having a first pair of conducting contacts (6, 8), an identification element (10) connected between the first pair of conducting contacts, a second pair of conducting contacts (12, 14) for connection to the electrode, and a housing (16) providing a cavity (18, 20) which substantially encases the first and second pairs of conducting contacts and the identification element and an aperture through which ends of the first and second pairs of conducting contacts extend, a defibrillator socket (3) adapted for connection to a defibrillator and adapted for connection to an electrode plug having a first pair of conducting contacts (24, 26) for connection to the first pair of conducting contacts of the electrode plug, a second pair of conducting contacts (28, 30) for connection to the second pair of conducting contacts of the electrode plug and for connection to the defibrillator, and a housing (32) providing a cavity (34, 36) which substantially encases the first and second pairs of conducting contacts and an aperture through which ends of the first and second pairs of conducting contacts extend, and an electrode identification unit (4) adapted for connection to a defibrillator socket having a circuit comprising contacts for connection to the first pair of conducting contacts of the electrode plug via the first pair of conducting contacts of the defibrillator socket, a signal detector (42) connected to the circuit which detects a signal from the identification element of the electrode plug, and a processor (44) which uses a measure of the signal to determine an identification characteristic of the identification element of the electrode plug and from this identifies a category of the electrode connected to the electrode plug.