Reconfigurable Arrhythmia Monitoring Sensor for Patch and Holster Use
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing patient monitoring systems lack flexibility and comfort in monitoring physiological data, particularly for patients with cardiac conditions, as they often require invasive methods or uncomfortable long-term adhesion to the skin, limiting patient compliance and effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
A multi-mode sensor system that can be configured in either a patch mode or a holster mode, allowing for removable attachment to a patch or holster, respectively, to acquire and transmit physiological data such as ECG, posture, and RF-based data, with configuration circuitry to switch modes based on attachment, providing comfort and flexibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional invasive or long-term adhesive monitoring device is used, then continuous physiological data acquisition is achieved, but patient comfort and compliance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The monitoring system dynamically changes its configuration mode between patch mode and holster mode based on real-time needs. The device can be worn directly on the skin for continuous monitoring or placed in a holster for intermittent monitoring, allowing the system to adapt its operational state to balance data acquisition reliability with patient comfort and compliance
Solution Approach 2:
The monitoring device is designed with multi-functionality to operate in two distinct modes: patch mode for continuous adhesive monitoring and holster mode for intermittent non-adhesive monitoring. This universal design allows a single device to serve multiple purposes, providing continuous data when needed while offering comfortable alternative monitoring methods to maintain patient compliance
2Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed configuration monitoring device is used, then device simplicity is maintained, but adaptability to different monitoring needs deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The device incorporates dynamic configuration capabilities that allow it to switch between patch and holster modes based on real-time requirements. This dynamic adaptability enables the system to respond to different monitoring needs without requiring complex manual reconfiguration, as the device can automatically adjust its operational state
Solution Approach 2:
The monitoring system is segmented into two distinct operational modes (patch mode and holster mode) that can be independently activated. This segmentation allows the device to provide specialized monitoring capabilities for each mode while maintaining overall system simplicity through modular design, where each mode is optimized for its specific use case
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 system enhances patient compliance and monitoring effectiveness by offering a choice between patch and holster modes, ensuring continuous or intermittent data acquisition, and transmitting data to a remote location, thus improving cardiac arrhythmia detection and thoracic fluid monitoring.
Implementation Method 1
the physiological data comprising one or more of patient electrocardiogram (ECG) data
Implementation Method 2
transmit the acquired physiological data to a remote location and/or record the acquired physiological data in an internal memory
Data Source
AI summary
A patient monitoring system for use in either a patch mode or a holster mode for monitoring physiological data of a patient includes a multi-mode sensor configured to continuously and/or intermittently acquire the physiological data from the patient in the least two modes and to transmit the acquired physiological data to a remote location and/or record the acquired physiological data in an internal memory, the physiological data including one or more of patient electrocardiogram (ECG) data, patient posture, patient movement, radio-frequency (RF) based physiological data, body temperature, and/or patient respiration; an attachment mechanism disposed on the multi-mode sensor, the attachment mechanism configured to removably connect the multi-mode sensor to either a holster and associated monitoring cables worn by the patient or a patch worn by the patient; at least one electrical contact disposed on the multi-mode sensor, the at least one electrical contact configured to engage a counterpart electrical contact of the holster and/or a counterpart electrical contact of the patch; and configuration circuitry disposed in the multi-mode sensor. The configuration circuitry is configured to determine when the multi-mode sensor is removably connected to the holster and cause the multi-mode sensor to acquire the physiological data in the holster mode when connected to the holster, and to determine when the multi-mode sensor is removably connected to the patch and cause the multi-mode sensor to acquire the physiological data in the patch mode when connected to the patch.