Therapy Electrode Coupling for Replaceable Gas Charges
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cardiac monitoring and treatment devices, such as defibrillators and pacing devices, require single-use therapy electrodes due to the inability to replace the gas cartridge without damaging the electrode components, leading to unnecessary waste and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
A therapeutic electrode component with a detachable gas charge system that allows for the reuse of non-destroyed portions by providing a hermetic seal and fluid communication between the gas charge and the electrode repository, enabling the replacement of the gas charge without damaging the base plate or rupturable membrane.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If single-use therapy electrodes are used, then reliability is improved, but loss of substance worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode system is divided into separable components: a reusable electrode component and a replaceable gas charge. This segmentation allows the gas charge to be replaced independently without discarding the entire electrode, reducing waste while maintaining reliability through component reuse.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of discarding the entire electrode after single use, the design enables recovery and reuse of the electrode component while only the consumable gas charge is discarded. This reduces material waste while preserving the functional electrode structure for multiple uses.
2Ease of operation
If the gas charge is made detachable, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling mechanism transitions from a fixed, permanent connection to a dynamic, reversible connection. The electrode component can be easily assembled and disassembled, providing operational flexibility while maintaining a relatively simple mechanical coupling structure that does not overly complicate the device.
3Loss of substance
If the gas charge is replaceable without destruction, then loss of substance is improved, but manufacturing precision worsens
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the electrode system into a reusable electrode component and a replaceable gas charge, the design enables recovery of valuable electrode materials while the gas charge is replaced. This reduces overall waste while the segmentation allows for standardized manufacturing interfaces that can accommodate precision requirements.
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
Enables the reuse of non-destroyed portions of therapeutic electrodes, reducing waste and costs by allowing the replacement of the gas charge independently, thus extending the life cycle of the electrode components.
Implementation Method 1
A gas charge is secured to a coupling disposed on a first surface of a base plate of a therapeutic electrode component. The coupling provides fluid communication with an internal volume of a repository disposed on the base plate.
Implementation Method 2
A rupturable membrane is disposed between the internal volume of the repository and the conductive surface of the base plate
Implementation Method 3
The coupling is configured to detachably engage a gas charge, whereby the gas charge is detachable from the coupling without causing destruction of at least the gas charge, to provide a hermetic seal with an outlet of the gas charge
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 2C
AI summary
A therapeutic electrode component includes a base plate having a first side and a second side having a conductive surface. A repository having an internal volume to releasably retain a conductive fluid is disposed on the first side of the base plate. A rupturable membrane is disposed between the internal volume of the repository and the conductive surface of the base plate. A coupling is disposed on the base plate that is configured to detachably engage a gas charge, whereby the gas charge is detachable from the coupling without causing destruction of the gas charge, to provide a hermetic seal with an outlet of the gas charge, and to provide fluid communication between the internal volume of the repository and the outlet of gas charge when the gas charge is engaged by the coupling. A retainer is configured to detachably secure the gas charge to the base plate.