Reusable Defibrillation Electrode with Flexible Metallic Layer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hands-free defibrillation electrodes face issues with flexibility and durability, leading to cracking and increased costs due to non-reusability, and they often fail to rapidly depolarize after a defibrillating pulse, affecting ECG monitoring and the need for frequent replacements.
Innovation Solution
A reusable hands-free defibrillation electrode with a flexible non-conductive element and a flexible metallic element, where the metallic element is partially encapsulated in a non-conductive matrix, allowing for adherence of a disposable coupling portion to form a flexible electrode capable of conforming to the patient's chest and delivering defibrillation pulses while monitoring ECG signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a thin sheet of metal is used in the conductive layer, then flexibility is improved, but cracking results from repeated use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite structure combining a flexible substrate with a conductive metal layer (stainless steel, aluminum, or copper). The substrate provides flexibility while the metal layer provides electrical conductivity and durability, resolving the contradiction between flexibility and cracking resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a flexible substrate (such as a polymer film) as the base layer that can bend and conform to body surfaces without cracking. This flexible foundation supports the conductive metal layer while maintaining the electrode's ability to flex repeatedly without failure.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If wire mesh is used to improve flexibility, then flexibility is improved, but extraneous noise in ECG monitoring occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a solid, continuous metal layer (such as stainless steel foil) instead of a wire mesh structure. This homogeneous conductive layer provides flexibility while maintaining electrical uniformity, eliminating the extraneous noise that would be generated by the discontinuous structure of wire mesh during ECG monitoring.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If expanded metal is used to improve flexibility, then flexibility is improved, but cracking occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines a flexible polymer substrate with a solid metal conductive layer. This composite structure provides the flexibility needed for repeated use while the solid metal layer resists cracking, unlike expanded metal which maintains a discontinuous structure prone to failure at the expansion points.
4Reliability
If stainless steel is used as the conductive layer, then corrosion resistance and strength are improved, but rapid depolarization requires specific waveform configuration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent specifies using stainless steel (or alternatively aluminum or copper) as the conductive layer and requires the defibrillator to be configured with a specific biphasic waveform. This parameter change in the electrode material necessitates a corresponding parameter adjustment in the waveform configuration to achieve rapid depolarization, but provides superior corrosion resistance and strength.
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 solution provides a cost-effective, reusable electrode that maintains functionality after multiple uses, ensures rapid depolarization for clear ECG readings, and reduces the need for frequent replacements, enhancing both patient care and operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a flexible metallic element supported by the flexible nonconductive element, wherein the flexible metallic element has an exposed surface on one side of the reusable component and the exposed surface is configured to be adhered to a disposable coupling portion, and wherein the reusable component is configured to accept an electrical defibrillation pulse and spread the electrical pulse across the exposed surface area
Implementation Method 2
a flexible nonconductive element, and a flexible metallic element supported by the flexible nonconductive element
Data Source
AI summary
A reusable component of a hands-free defibrillation electrode, the reusable component having a flexible nonconductive element, and a flexible metallic element supported by the flexible nonconductive element, wherein the flexible metallic element has an exposed surface on one side of the reusable component and the exposed surface is configured to be adhered to a disposable coupling portion, and wherein the reusable component is configured to accept an electrical defibrillation pulse and spread the electrical pulse across the exposed surface area, from which it is delivered to the patient's chest through the disposable coupling portion.