Multi-modal Electrotherapy Apparatus with Shared Capacitor Bank
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Solution Overview
Problem
Defibrillators face challenges in treating hearts that have been in ventricular fibrillation for an extended period, as shocking such hearts can lead to more dangerous rhythms like asystole or electro mechanical disassociation, and existing devices often require manual CPR, which may not be performed promptly or effectively.
Innovation Solution
A multi-modal electrotherapy apparatus that combines medium voltage therapy (MVT) and defibrillation, using a shared energy storage circuit to administer MVT during charging and defibrillation, with control circuitry to switch between the two therapies to ensure timely and effective treatment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If defibrillation is administered to a heart that has been in ventricular fibrillation for an extended period, then the defibrillation shock can be delivered, but it may lead to more dangerous rhythms such as asystole or electro mechanical disassociation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by delivering medium voltage therapy (MVT) pulses before the defibrillation shock to prepare the heart for successful defibrillation. The MVT pulses cause chest constrictions similar to manual chest compressions, providing fresh oxygenated blood to the heart and facilitating a greater probability of successful defibrillation while reducing the risk of dangerous rhythms like asystole or electro mechanical disassociation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by using MVT pulses to counteract the harmful effects of prolonged ventricular fibrillation before defibrillation. The MVT therapy performs the opposite of what would naturally occur during VF (which is lack of blood flow and oxygenation) by actively providing chest constrictions that mimic CPR, thereby preventing the heart from being in a condition that would lead to asystole or PEA upon defibrillation.
2Reliability
If CPR-type chest compressions are performed before defibrillation, then the distended right ventricle is compressed back to its more nearly normal size and heart tissue is oxygenated, but the time to defibrillation may be extended
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies mechanics substitution by replacing manual CPR chest compressions with electrically-generated MVT pulses. The MVT pulses cause chest constrictions similar to manual chest compressions but are delivered automatically by the defibrillator device, eliminating the need for manual intervention and reducing the time delay between cardiac arrest and effective chest compression therapy.
3Reliability
If manual CPR is performed in the field, then blood circulation into the heart is facilitated, but it is often not performed promptly or effectively for a variety of reasons
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by making the defibrillator device perform CPR-like chest compressions automatically through MVT pulses without requiring external manual intervention. The device serves itself by generating the therapeutic chest compressions internally, eliminating the need for rescuers to perform manual CPR and ensuring consistent, timely treatment.
4Reliability
If separate defibrillation and MVT circuitry is used, then each therapy can be administered with optimized parameters, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a combined defibrillation-MVT device that uses a common set of electrodes and shared circuitry to deliver both types of electrotherapy. The device can switch between defibrillation and MVT modes using the same hardware components, reducing device complexity while maintaining the ability to administer both therapies with appropriate parameters.
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
The apparatus provides hemodynamic perfusion and improves the likelihood of successful defibrillation by mimicking CPR through MVT, reducing the time gap between MVT and defibrillation, thereby enhancing cardiac output and survival chances during cardiac arrest.
Implementation Method 1
a charge storage circuit is charged. While charging the charge storage circuit, the charge storage circuit is switchably connected and disconnected across patient terminals to produce packets of MVT current pulses
Implementation Method 2
the MVT pulses cause chest constrictions similar to those of manual chest compressions of traditional CPR. The constrictions provide fresh oxygenated blood to the heart
Implementation Method 3
the high-voltage energy source is administered to a patient following administration of the MVT from the charge storage circuit
Data Source
AI summary
A multi-modal electrotherapy apparatus including circuitry for administering defibrillation therapy and for administering medium voltage therapy (MVT). A combined-use capacitor bank of at least one capacitor stores energy to be administered as defibrillation therapy and MVT. Combined-use discharge circuitry electrically is coupled between the combined-use capacitor bank and patient terminals for selectively administering energy from the capacitor bank according to a plurality of controllable waveforms as either defibrillation therapy or MVT. A controller is configured to cause the discharge circuitry to apply the MVT from the capacitor bank while the capacitor bank undergoes charging in preparation for administration of the defibrillation therapy.