Portable AED Powered by Mobile Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Automated external defibrillators (AEDs) are often bulky, expensive, and underdeployed due to their size and cost, with many locations lacking access to them during cardiac emergencies, and bystanders may hesitate to use them due to unfamiliarity and intimidation.
Innovation Solution
AEDs powered by mobile communication devices like smartphones, utilizing voltage boosting circuitry and current regulating circuitry to charge a shock delivery capacitor, allowing for smaller design, reduced battery needs, and simplified user interfaces through mobile device control functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If AEDs use traditional battery power sources, then they can deliver sufficient energy for defibrillation shocks, but they become bulky and heavy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the battery function from the AED system by using an external mobile device (smartphone or tablet) as the power source. The AED only contains the minimal necessary components for defibrillation delivery, while the energy storage function is provided by the external device's battery, dramatically reducing the AED's weight and size
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the AED system universal by leveraging the ubiquitous presence of mobile communication devices that everyone carries. These multi-functional devices serve as power sources for the AED, eliminating the need for dedicated AED batteries and enabling broader deployment
2Volume of moving object
If AEDs are made portable and smaller, then they can be carried by bystanders, but they lack sufficient energy storage for multiple shocks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the energy storage function from the AED unit itself and places it in an external mobile device. This allows the AED to be minimized to only the essential defibrillation delivery components while relying on the external device's battery for sustained operational duration
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a voltage boosting circuit as an intermediary component that efficiently transfers and converts power from the mobile device's battery to the high-voltage capacitor needed for defibrillation shocks, enabling compact design while maintaining sufficient energy delivery capability
3Productivity
If AEDs use high-power voltage boosting circuitry, then they can charge the shock delivery capacitor quickly, but they draw excessive current from the mobile device
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic current regulation that adjusts the charging current based on the mobile device's battery capacity and charge state. The system monitors battery voltage and current levels, dynamically modifying the charging rate to optimize both charging speed and battery preservation, preventing excessive current draw while maintaining efficient charging
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms that continuously monitor the mobile device's battery status and adjust the voltage boosting circuit's operation accordingly. The system provides visual feedback to the user about charge levels and charging status, enabling informed decisions about when to charge and when the AED is ready for use
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 broader deployment of AEDs by reducing size and cost, improving user experience through mobile device integration, and ensuring access to life-saving defibrillation in emergency situations.
Implementation Method 1
voltage boosting circuitry that transforms current received from a mobile communication device into high voltage current suitable for charging a shock delivery capacitor
Implementation Method 2
current regulating circuitry that maintains a steady current flow from the mobile communication device to the voltage boosting circuitry
Implementation Method 3
shock delivery capacitor, and a discharge circuit that delivers the stored voltage from the capacitor through a patient in need of defibrillation
Data Source
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.