Flexible Capacitive-Cell Structure for 3D Shape Tracking in CPR

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing techniques for detecting body movement and shape changes, such as in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) chest compressions, face limitations including the need for line of sight, substantial setup, and practicality and accuracy issues, particularly with camera-based and body-worn sensors.

Innovation Solution

A flexible structure with capacitive cells and a computerized system that estimates a three-dimensional shape change during CPR compressions, providing visual or audio feedback to care providers based on capacitance values, using a repeating polygon pattern and machine learning models.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If camera based techniques are used for detecting body movement, then measurement capability is provided, but line of sight requirement and substantial setup infrastructure are needed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebody movement detection capabilityVSAvoidsetup infrastructure

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces camera-based optical detection systems with a flexible sensor structure that directly contacts the body surface. This substitution eliminates the need for complex camera infrastructure, line of sight requirements, and studio settings while maintaining the ability to detect body movement and shape changes through capacitance measurements from the flexible sensor array.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If body worn sensors are used to detect skeletal movements, then practicality is improved, but accuracy and uses are limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepracticality of body worn sensorsVSAvoiddetection accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the sensing surface into multiple capacitive cells arranged in a grid pattern on the flexible structure. This segmentation allows each cell to independently measure local deformation, enabling comprehensive reconstruction of three-dimensional body shape changes with high accuracy while maintaining the practicality of body-worn application.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from traditional one-dimensional linear sensors to a two-dimensional array of capacitive cells on a flexible surface. This dimensional expansion enables simultaneous measurement of multiple spatial coordinates and deformation components, significantly improving detection accuracy for complex three-dimensional body movements while maintaining wearable practicality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Productivity

If traditional CPR feedback systems are used, then basic monitoring is provided, but real-time optimization of compression depth, force, and angle is not achieved

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveCPR compression efficiencyVSAvoidfeedback accuracy on compression parameters

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a real-time feedback system where the flexible sensor structure continuously monitors chest compression deformation, and the computerized system processes this data to provide immediate guidance on compression depth, force, and angle. This closed-loop feedback enables care providers to optimize CPR parameters dynamically based on actual patient response, significantly improving compression efficiency and accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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, real-time feedback for optimizing CPR compressions by tracking the three-dimensional shape changes, improving compression depth, force, and angle, without requiring additional setup, enhancing care provider guidance.

Implementation Method 1

receive signals associated with a plurality of capacitance values corresponding to at least a portion of the plurality of capacitive cells

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapacitance: Capacitance

Data Source

PatentUS20250268784A1Capacitive cell based deformation sensing structure

Publication Date: 2025.08.28 ZOLL MEDICAL CORPORATION

AI summary

Apparatuses, systems and methods are provided for providing assistance or corrective feedback relating to a medical treatment provided to a patient. A flexible structure, including capacitive cells, may be configured to be applied to the patient's body. A computerized system, coupled with the flexible structure, may be configured to receive signals associated with capacitance values corresponding to at least a portion of the capacitive cells. The computerized system may be further configured to, based at least in part on the received signals, estimate a change over a period of time during the medical treatment in a three dimensional shape of the flexible structure or track the three dimensional shape of the flexible structure. The computerized system may be further configured to determine data or provide output for use in providing the assistance or corrective feedback relating to the medical treatment.