Modular ECG Garment Layout for Comfortable Cardiac Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical devices for monitoring and treating cardiac arrhythmias, such as pacemakers and defibrillators, often require surgical implantation or external connection, lack comfort and flexibility for long-term wear, and do not effectively integrate sensing and therapy electrodes into wearable garments.
Innovation Solution
A wearable cardiac device is provided in the form of a garment with integrated sensing and therapy electrodes, distributed modules for ergonomic fit, and modular components for enhanced comfort and flexibility, including conductive threads for electrical coupling and removable/securable modules for adaptability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If medical devices are surgically implanted or externally connected, then reliable cardiac monitoring and treatment is achieved, but patient comfort and flexibility for long-term wear deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The medical device is divided into separate modular components including sensing electrodes, therapy electrodes, and control modules that can be independently positioned and secured to different areas of the patient's body, allowing flexible configuration while maintaining monitoring reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The device incorporates flexible garment structures and thin film electrodes that conform to the patient's body contours, enabling comfortable long-term wear while maintaining effective electrical contact for reliable cardiac signal detection and therapy delivery
2Ease of operation
If sensing and therapy electrodes are integrated into wearable garments, then patient comfort and flexibility improve, but effective electrical coupling and signal detection deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
Conductive threads and conductive materials are used as intermediaries between the flexible garment fabric and the patient's skin, ensuring effective electrical coupling for accurate cardiac signal detection while maintaining the comfort and flexibility of the wearable structure
Solution Approach 2:
The garment integrates composite materials combining flexible textile fabrics with conductive materials and adhesive elements, creating a multi-functional structure that simultaneously provides comfort, flexibility, and effective electrical contact for precise cardiac monitoring
3Ease of operation
If modules are distributed about the garment, then ergonomic fit and comfort improve, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device is organized into distinct modular components (sensing modules, therapy modules, control modules) that can be independently positioned on the garment to achieve ergonomic fit, with each module performing a specific function to simplify the overall system architecture
Solution Approach 2:
The modular modules are designed with universal interfaces and standardized connection mechanisms that allow them to be flexibly configured and repositioned on the garment while maintaining consistent electrical and mechanical connections, reducing the complexity of integration
4Ease of manufacture
If the garment is made machine washable, then ease of maintenance improves, but electrical component durability and functionality deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The device separates washable components (garment fabric, non-electrical elements) from non-washable electrical components, allowing the garment portions to be machine washed while the electrical modules are protected from moisture through removable covers or sealed enclosures
Solution Approach 2:
Waterproof barriers, sealed connections, and protective coatings are used as intermediaries to shield electrical components from moisture during washing, enabling the garment to be machine washable while maintaining the reliability and functionality of the electrical systems
Data Source
AI summary
According to an aspect, an improved modular wearable medical device for monitoring a patient's ECG signals and providing therapeutic shocks in the event of a cardiac arrhythmia is provided. The device includes a garment, a plurality of ECG sensing electrodes that are permanently coupled at first predetermined locations on the garment, at least one pocket or receptacle disposed on the garment and configured to removably secure a module with device electronics within a housing to the garment, a plurality of wires or cables permanently integrated into the garment and operably coupling the plurality of permanently coupled ECG sensing electrodes with the sensor interface module, a plurality of therapy electrodes removably coupled to second predetermined locations on the garment, gel deployment circuitry, one or more capacitors, and a therapy control module configured to control the provision of the therapeutic shocks.