Electrode Connector Housing and Memory for Defibrillator Compatibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing defibrillators face reduced effectiveness when used with electrodes from different models or manufacturers, compromising patient safety due to compatibility issues and the inability to authenticate the authenticity and expiration date of the electrodes.
Innovation Solution
The development of an electrode connector system that ensures compatibility with both older and newer versions of medical devices and electrodes, featuring a housing with multiple portions for reverse compatibility and a memory for storing authentication codes and expiration dates, allowing for secure authentication and tracking of electrode validity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a defibrillator is configured to operate with device-compatible electrodes only, then patient safety is improved, but the adaptability to use electrodes from different models or manufacturers deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an authentication module as an intermediary component between the defibrillator and electrodes. This module verifies electrode authenticity through authentication codes stored in the electrodes, allowing the system to safely accept electrodes from different manufacturers while maintaining patient safety through verification protocols
2Reliability
If the defibrillator uses authentication codes to verify electrode authenticity, then patient safety is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The authentication system is segmented into distinct components: authentication codes embedded in electrodes, an authentication module in the defibrillator, and verification protocols. This segmentation allows the authentication function to be added without completely redesigning the entire system, thereby managing complexity through modular architecture
3Adaptability or versatility
If separate electrode versions are maintained for different device models, then compatibility is improved, but the loss of time and resources for management increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements universal authentication codes that can be used across different defibrillator models and electrode types. This universality allows a single electrode design with standardized authentication mechanisms to work with multiple device versions, eliminating the need to maintain separate electrode versions for different devices and significantly reducing management time and resources
Data Source
AI summary
Systems to confirm authenticity of electrodes and to provide compatibility between a medical device and associated electrodes are described. The systems include an electrode connector that stores an authentication code that is accessible to the medical device when the electrode connector is coupled to the medical device. The medical device uses the authentication code to determine an authenticity of the coupled electrodes. The electrode connector also includes physical features of a housing that allow the electrode connector to couple to different versions (e.g., older and new models) of the type of medical device. This feature allows reverse compatibility of the electrode connector to different versions of medical devices.