Self-Applied Disposable Defibrillator for Rapid Personal Use
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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 sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) events that occur outside public access locations, leading to high mortality rates due to the lack of immediate defibrillation.
Innovation Solution
A compact, lightweight, disposable AED designed for self-application by individuals, featuring a simplified design with a low-voltage energy storage system and intuitive operation, allowing for rapid deployment and use in a pocket-sized format.
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, costly, and complex making them impractical for widespread personal use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a disposable AED design where the entire device is intended for single use and then discarded. This eliminates the need for complex rechargeable batteries, sophisticated power management systems, and extensive safety interlocks required in reusable devices. The disposable nature allows simplification of circuitry and structural components while maintaining defibrillation capability, directly resolving the contradiction between reliability and device complexity.
2Reliability
If conventional public access AEDs are deployed, then defibrillation capability is provided, but the devices are bulky and costly preventing widespread distribution
Solution Approach 1:
By designing the AED as a disposable device, the patent can use lighter, less robust materials and components that would be unacceptable in reusable devices. The energy storage capacitor, housing, and internal structures can be optimized for minimal weight rather than durability, directly reducing device weight while preserving the essential defibrillation function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and removes unnecessary components from conventional AEDs, such as rechargeable battery systems, complex charging circuits, and extensive safety interlock mechanisms. By taking out these heavy and complex subsystems and relying on the disposable nature of the device, the overall weight is significantly reduced while maintaining the core defibrillation capability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If more public access AEDs are distributed, then coverage is improved, but cost and complexity prevent widespread deployment
Solution Approach 1:
The disposable design dramatically reduces unit cost by eliminating expensive components like rechargeable lithium-ion batteries, complex power management integrated circuits, and extensive safety certification requirements. This cost reduction enables widespread distribution and increases adaptability to various locations and users, directly resolving the contradiction between coverage and device complexity.
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 portable AED ensures immediate access and ease of use, potentially increasing survival rates from SCA by enabling individuals to apply defibrillation shocks promptly and intuitively, reducing the time to treatment and minimizing complexity and cost barriers.
Implementation Method 1
an energy storage circuit (239) contained within the housing (231)
Data Source
AI summary
A self-applicable defibrillator is provided. The defibrillator includes four walls 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 are stored in the electrode enclosure to monitor cardiac rhythm of a user. Each of the pads are placed on the user, by the user, after the user experiences a cardiac precursor. A cover is configured to fit over the electrode enclosure on a side opposite the circuit enclosure, and the cover is opened for the user to access the pads for placement.