Hinged Enclosure for Cardiac Electrode Moisture Retention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing medical electrode packaging for defibrillators is inefficient due to desiccation of adhesive materials, complexity in deployment, and vulnerability to environmental damage, particularly in high-altitude environments, where pressure differentials and contamination are concerns.

Innovation Solution

A self-storing electrode system with a rigid enclosure that seals the conductive gel between the non-conductive backing and the enclosure surfaces, allowing electrodes to be stored with integrated electrical connections for self-testing and easy deployment, eliminating the need for an air-tight seal and reducing the risk of contamination.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If electrodes are stored in a sealed enclosure to prevent desiccation, then the adhesive material remains moist and conductive, but the deployment process becomes more complex requiring multiple steps to open the enclosure and connect electrodes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadhesive material conductivityVSAvoiddeployment process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The enclosure is divided into a storage compartment for electrodes and a separate connector compartment. The electrode connector is pre-assembled and sealed within the enclosure, allowing it to be connected directly to the defibrillator without requiring separate handling of electrodes and connectors. This segmentation reduces deployment steps while maintaining the protective sealed environment for the adhesive material.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The electrode connector is pre-assembled and pre-positioned within the sealed enclosure during manufacturing. The connector is already integrated with the electrode leads and positioned for direct connection to the defibrillator. This preliminary assembly eliminates the need for operators to perform multiple separate steps of connecting components, reducing deployment complexity while preserving the sealed protective environment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If flexible housing is used for electrode packaging to allow wire extension, then ease of operation is improved, but the bond between electrode wires and housing weakens due to flexing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewire extension flexibilityVSAvoidbond strength between wires and housing

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The enclosure utilizes a flexible housing constructed from a flexible polymer material that can accommodate the electrode wires and connector while maintaining structural integrity. The flexible shell design allows the housing to bend and flex during deployment without compromising the adhesive bonds or wire connections, resolving the contradiction between flexibility and bond strength.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Reliability

If rigid molded enclosure is used to protect electrodes from damage, then reliability is improved, but the enclosure cannot be used at high altitudes due to pressure differentials

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrode protection from damageVSAvoidhigh-altitude usability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The enclosure housing is constructed from a flexible polymer material rather than rigid molded plastic. This flexible material can expand and contract to accommodate pressure differentials between the interior and exterior of the enclosure, allowing the electrodes to be protected and maintained at normal operating pressures even when used at high altitudes. The flexible housing maintains the protective function while adapting to varying environmental pressures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

4Ease of manufacture

If heat-sealable laminate material is used for flexible electrode packaging, then ease of manufacture is improved, but the material remains adhered to electrode wires after placement causing user confusion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepackaging material sealingVSAvoidwire removal clarity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The electrode connector is extracted as a separate, pre-assembled component that is sealed within the flexible housing but is designed to be easily removed and connected to the defibrillator. The connector compartment is designed with a release mechanism that allows the connector to be easily extracted from the housing without requiring the user to manipulate or remove the flexible laminate material itself. This extraction design eliminates user confusion about wire removal while maintaining the protective sealed packaging during storage and transport.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS9002473B2Electrode and enclosure for cardiac monitoring and treatment

Publication Date: 2015.04.07 KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS NV

AI summary

Defibrillator electrodes are sealed to the inside of a rigid enclosure. The enclosure is hinged to open and expose the electrodes for deployment. The electrode gel is sealed against moisture loss between the moisture impervious electrode backing and the inner surface of the enclosure. The enclosure may further include an electrical circuit for electrode self-testing, the circuit being broken when the enclosure is opened.