Defibrillator Electrode Integrity Testing via Impedance Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Defibrillator electrodes often remain unused for extended periods, leading to potential degradation of their electrical integrity, which is critical for effective defibrillation, especially in public locations where users may lack experience with defibrillator technology.
Innovation Solution
A defibrillator system that utilizes its existing patient impedance measurement components to apply a test signal to the electrodes and measure the resulting signal, determining the electrodes' electrical integrity through a test system integrated into the device, ensuring the electrodes' conductivity is within acceptable ranges.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If electrodes remain in packaging for extended periods, then storage convenience is improved, but electrical integrity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary testing of electrode electrical integrity during manufacturing and before packaging. This allows electrodes to be stored in packaging for extended periods with confidence that their electrical properties have been verified beforehand, resolving the contradiction between long-term storage convenience and maintaining electrical reliability.
2Reliability
If electrode testing is implemented, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The defibrillator controller is designed to perform multiple functions: it controls defibrillation delivery, manages user interface operations, and conducts electrode integrity testing. By making the controller universal and multi-functional, the patent achieves reliable electrode verification without adding separate dedicated testing hardware, thus resolving the contradiction between reliability improvement and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The defibrillator automatically tests electrode integrity using its own internal resources (controller, existing electrical connections) without requiring external testing equipment or additional manual intervention. This self-service approach enables reliability verification while minimizing added system complexity.
3Measurement precision
If specialized testing equipment is added, then measurement precision is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The defibrillator controller serves multiple purposes including defibrillation control and electrode testing. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for specialized dedicated testing equipment, achieving sufficient measurement precision for electrode integrity verification while avoiding the increased manufacturing costs that would result from adding separate specialized devices.
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
This method allows for cost-effective maintenance of electrode integrity by using existing equipment, ensuring reliable defibrillation performance and providing immediate feedback on electrode functionality, thus ensuring timely and effective treatment during emergencies.
Implementation Method 1
a patient impedance measurement system, connected to the electrodes, comprising a patient impedance measurement signal generator and a patient impedance measurement signal receiver
Data Source
AI summary
A defibrillator (1) comprising electrodes (3), a connection for electrically connecting the electrodes together during a test, a defibrillation signal generator (5), connected to the electrodes, a patient impedance measurement system, connected to the electrodes, comprising a patient signal generator (7) and a patient signal receiver (9), a defibrillator controller (11) connected to the defibrillation signal generator and the patient impedance measurement system, and an electrode test system (13), comprising a control signal device (21), connected to the patient signal receiver, which generates at least one control signal which causes the patient signal receiver to change from a patient signal receive state to an electrode test signal receive state, a test commence signal device (29), connected to the patient signal generator, which generates at least one test commence signal which causes the patient signal generator to send a test signal to the electrodes, and an electrode test signal device (25), connected to the patient signal receiver, which receives an electrode test signal and processes the signal to determine a pass test result or a fail test result for the electrodes. The invention further provides a method of testing electrical conductivity of electrodes of a defibrillator.