Ambulatory Monitor With Self-Applied Defibrillator Electrode Pads
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing public access automated external defibrillators (AEDs) are bulky, costly, and complex, making them impractical for widespread personal use and often unavailable during cardiac emergencies at home or during daily activities, leading to high mortality rates from sudden cardiac arrest (SCA).
Innovation Solution
A compact, lightweight, disposable AED designed for personal use, featuring a minimalist design that fits in a pocket, with simplified electronics and intuitive operation, allowing self-application by an individual in need, and capable of delivering defibrillation shocks within one minute of collapse.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional public access AEDs are deployed, then defibrillation capability is provided, but the devices are bulky and costly making them impractical for widespread personal use
Solution Approach 1:
The AED system is divided into separate functional modules: a reusable control unit with processing electronics and a disposable electrode pad assembly. This segmentation allows the complex electronics to be miniaturized and reused, while the simple, inexpensive pad assembly can be mass-produced and distributed widely for personal携带
Solution Approach 2:
The electrode pad assembly is designed as a disposable, single-use component that is inexpensive to manufacture. Each pad contains pre-applied conductive gel and integrated wiring, eliminating the need for expensive reusable components in each unit while maintaining defibrillation capability
2Weight of moving object
If AEDs are made compact for personal use, then portability and accessibility are improved, but device functionality and reliability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The heavy, complex components (power supply, processing electronics, control interface) are extracted into a separate reusable unit. The disposable pad contains only the essential defibrillation elements (electrodes, conductive gel, wiring), dramatically reducing weight and size while preserving the core defibrillation function
Solution Approach 2:
The reusable control unit serves multiple functions: it processes ECG signals, determines shockability, controls pad charging, and provides user interface. This multi-functionality allows the disposable pad to be minimized while maintaining full defibrillation capability through the integrated system
3Ease of operation
If AED design is simplified for ease of use, then self-application by individuals becomes feasible, but device sophistication and automation may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system is designed so the user simply applies the disposable pad to their own chest and follows voice prompts. The device automatically performs all sophisticated functions: ECG acquisition, arrhythmia detection, shockability determination, pad charging, and shock delivery. This self-service approach enables solo victims to receive automated defibrillation without requiring medical training or manual operation of complex controls
4Adaptability or versatility
If public access AEDs are increased in number, then coverage is improved, but cost and deployment complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The disposable pad assembly can be mass-produced at low cost using simple manufacturing processes. Each pad is a single-use item that requires no maintenance, calibration, or quality assurance beyond basic manufacturing controls, enabling widespread distribution without the logistical burden of managing reusable devices
Solution Approach 2:
After use, the disposable pad is discarded rather than returned for maintenance or sterilization. The reusable control unit is recovered and can be reused with new pad assemblies. This approach eliminates the complex supply chain and maintenance infrastructure required for traditional reusable AEDs
Data Source
AI summary
An ambulatory monitor with integrated defibrillator is provided. Four walls are each affixed on one side of a bottom surface. A dividing layer is affixed to each of the four walls creating an electrode enclosure and a circuit enclosure configured to hold circuitry. Access to the circuitry is restricted by the bottom surface and dividing layer. A pair of pads is stored in the electrode enclosure, and each of the pads is applied to a user, by the user, for collecting ECG data of the user. Each lead of a pair is affixed on one end to one of the pads and on an other end to the circuitry. An accelerometer is affixed on one of the leads or one of the pads. A cover is configured to fit over the electrode enclosure on a side opposite the circuit enclosure.