Sensor Vest Connector with Nested Anterior Posterior Terminals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electrode vests with multiple leads require separate connectors for each terminal area, increasing complexity and cost when connecting to remote equipment like ECG base units.
Innovation Solution
A sensor vest design featuring a single connector that allows nested anterior and posterior terminal portions with alignment indicators and windows for electrical access, enabling connection to remote equipment with reduced complexity and cost.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate connectors are used for each terminal area, then electrical connection reliability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate connectors into a single integrated connector assembly that simultaneously connects to multiple terminal areas (anterior and posterior) of the electrode vest. This single connector performs the function of what would traditionally require multiple separate connectors, thereby reducing device complexity and cost while maintaining reliable electrical connections to all terminal areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector assembly is designed with multi-functional capability to simultaneously establish electrical connections with multiple terminal areas through a single connection interface. The connector incorporates multiple contact elements that can engage with different terminal areas concurrently, making it a universal connection solution that replaces multiple specialized connectors.
2Reliability
If multiple connectors are used for each terminal area, then electrical connection reliability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent consolidates multiple connector functions into a single manufactured unit. By integrating multiple contact elements and connection mechanisms into one connector assembly, the system reduces the total number of parts that need to be manufactured, inventoried, and assembled, thereby lowering manufacturing costs while maintaining connection reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The universal connector design allows a single component to serve multiple connection purposes simultaneously. This multi-functionality reduces the variety of specialized connectors that would otherwise need to be manufactured, simplifying the manufacturing process and reducing costs associated with producing, storing, and managing multiple connector types.
3Ease of operation
If terminal portions are positioned at the front, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases due to multiple connectors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions multiple terminal areas (both anterior and posterior) to be accessible at the front of the patient's torso, and uses a single connector assembly to connect to all these terminals simultaneously. This eliminates the need for multiple separate connectors that would need to be managed and configured, simplifying the operation while maintaining ease of access.
Solution Approach 2:
The single multi-functional connector can simultaneously engage with multiple terminal areas positioned at the front, providing a unified connection interface. This reduces the operational complexity of connecting and configuring multiple separate connectors while maintaining easy accessibility for the user.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for connecting remote equipment to a sensor device having a connector coupled to at least two terminals located on different portions of the sensor device. The portions of the sensor device may be an anterior portion and a posterior portion with each having at least one terminal. In turn, the terminals are nested on top of one another and at least one terminal is electrically accessible through a window region of the other portion. Further, the terminals are alignable with each other and with a connector by alignment indicators, which may provide a visual alignment indication for the terminals as well as a mechanical alignment of the connector with the sensor device.