Mobile-Powered Defibrillator With Voltage-Boosted Shock Charging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automated external defibrillators (AEDs) are bulky, costly, and often not used due to their intimidating nature and the lack of availability in public places, limiting their deployment and effectiveness in sudden cardiac arrest situations.
Innovation Solution
AEDs powered by mobile communication devices like smartphones, utilizing voltage boosting circuitry and current regulating technology to charge capacitors efficiently, eliminating the need for internal batteries and simplifying user interaction through mobile device control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If AEDs use internal batteries to power shock delivery, then they can deliver sufficient energy for defibrillation, but they become bulky and require regular battery maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the battery function from the defibrillator system by using an external mobile communication device (smartphone) as the power source. The defibrillator only retains the essential shock delivery capacitor and voltage boosting circuitry, eliminating the need for an internal battery while maintaining sufficient energy storage capacity for defibrillation shocks.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent leverages the universal availability of mobile communication devices (smartphones, tablets) as power sources. These devices already contain batteries and power management circuits, so the defibrillator can utilize existing consumer electronics as external power sources, making the system more accessible and eliminating the need for dedicated battery packs.
2Weight of moving object
If AEDs are designed for portability, then they can be carried more easily, but they lack sufficient power delivery capability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a voltage boosting circuit as an intermediary component that receives low-voltage power from mobile communication devices and converts it to the high voltage needed for shock delivery. This intermediary power conversion stage enables the system to maintain full shock delivery power capability while using lightweight external power sources.
3Adaptability or versatility
If AEDs are placed in public locations, then availability increases, but cost and maintenance requirements limit deployment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the defibrillator system self-servicing by eliminating the battery replacement requirement. Users simply connect the defibrillator to any available mobile communication device for power, and the system automatically manages charging. This removes the need for specialized maintenance and battery replacement procedures that would otherwise be required for public deployment.
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 smaller, more accessible AEDs that can be easily deployed and operated by laypersons, ensuring timely defibrillation without the need for battery maintenance, thus increasing their availability and usability.
Implementation Method 1
voltage boosting circuitry that boosts the voltage of received current to charge the shock delivery capacitor
Implementation Method 2
a shock delivery capacitor and charging circuitry that includes voltage boosting circuitry
Data Source
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AI summary
Several defibrillators, defibrillator architectures, defibrillator components and methods of operating defibrillators are described. In one aspect, a defibrillator (as for example an automated external defibrillator) that can be powered by a mobile communication device such as a smart cellular phone or a tablet computer is described. Utilizing a phone (or other mobile communication device) as the power supply for an external defibrillator allows the external defibrillator to be smaller and, in some circumstance, removes the need for a battery that stores sufficient energy for shock delivery - which would need to be checked and/or replaced on a regular basis. Additionally, when desired, certain control functionality, computation, data processing, and user instructions can be handled/presented by the mobile communications device thereby further simplifying the defibrillator design and improving the user experience. This architecture takes advantage of the nearly ubiquitous availability of smart phones, tablet computers and other mobile communication devices.