Solid-State Defibrillation Pulse Circuit for Pocket AEDs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional AEDs are bulky, costly, and complex, limiting their availability and effectiveness in addressing sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) outside public access locations, primarily due to their design for reusability and high voltage generation components, which leads to premature failure and high maintenance costs.
Innovation Solution
AED pulse generation circuits using floating, adjustable bias voltages and isolated power sub-circuits to generate defibrillation waveforms, reducing component count and size, enabling a pocket-sized, disposable design with improved reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional AEDs are designed for reusability with high voltage generation components, then defibrillation functionality is maintained, but device size and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies disposable AED design where the device is intended for single use only, eliminating the need for reusability features. This allows significant reduction in component quality, size, and cost while maintaining adequate defibrillation functionality for the intended single emergency use case.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and eliminates unnecessary components associated with reusability such as telemetry systems, constant self-testing capabilities, and over-engineered high voltage generation circuits. Only the essential defibrillation function is retained, significantly reducing device size and complexity.
2Reliability
If AEDs perform constant self-testing to ensure readiness, then reliability is improved, but battery depletion and component wear increase
Solution Approach 1:
The disposable nature of the AED eliminates the need for continuous self-testing and maintenance operations. The device is designed to be used once and then discarded, removing the energy drain associated with constant readiness checks while maintaining adequate functionality for the single emergency use.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of constant self-testing, the patent implements periodic or event-driven testing that occurs only when needed, significantly reducing energy consumption while maintaining sufficient reliability for the intended single use.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If AED components are designed to survive constant high voltage bias, then durability is improved, but component size and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent accepts that components will not survive constant high voltage bias by designing for single use only. This allows the use of smaller, less expensive components that would not be rated for prolonged exposure to high voltage, as they are intended to be replaced after a single use.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of components from continuous high voltage exposure to intermittent or pulsed high voltage application. This allows the use of components with lower voltage ratings that are smaller and less expensive, while maintaining adequate performance for the single emergency use case.
4Ease of operation
If AEDs are made pocket-sized for ubiquitous availability, then accessibility is improved, but power capacity and shock delivery capability are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the power delivery parameters to deliver adequate shock energy for defibrillation within a compact form factor. By optimizing the capacitor size, voltage, and pulse duration, the device achieves sufficient power delivery capability in a pocket-sized configuration suitable for ubiquitous availability.
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 new design facilitates the creation of a portable, affordable AED that can be ubiquitously available, increasing survival rates from SCA by ensuring immediate access and reducing the risk of component failure.
Implementation Method 1
a sub-circuit that transmits energy through one of one or more isolation barriers; a further sub-circuit that transmits control signals through one of one or more of the isolation barriers
Data Source
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AI summary
AED pulse generation circuits (88) that provide floating, adjustable, bias voltages for driving a solid-state defibrillation waveform therapy generator circuit are provided. The provided bias voltages allow to reverse polarity of provided electric shock to increase chances of successful defibrillation and survival. In one of the provided configurations, energy stored in the pulse capacitor (81b) can be discharged by activating the waveform therapy generator (88) in the high-resistance transconductance region. The circuits (88) can be positioned on a self-contained module (430) potted with an insulating material to reduce unintended interactions with other AED components. Through the use of the disclosed circuits, AED (230) size can be reduced to promote pocketability while simultaneously increasing AED reliability.