Universal Defibrillator Electrode Dual Graphics Placement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) are primarily designed for adult use and lack effective guidance for electrode placement on pediatric patients, leading to potential confusion and delays in emergency situations, as they often feature graphics that restrict placement guidance to either adult or pediatric patients, causing issues when a universal electrode is used across different age groups.

Innovation Solution

The development of universal electrodes with dual graphics for both adult and pediatric patients, featuring intuitive and distinct sizing, orientation, and coloring to guide correct placement without causing confusion, along with a mode switch for energy adjustments, ensures accurate placement and energy delivery for all ages.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If AEDs are designed with graphics for adult patients only, then the device is simple and intuitive for adult use, but it lacks guidance for pediatric patients causing confusion and delays

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of use for adult patientsVSAvoidguidance for pediatric patients
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The electrode pad graphics are designed to serve multiple functions by including both adult and pediatric body images on the same pad. The graphic display shows different body images for different patient types, allowing the same electrode pad to provide appropriate guidance for both adult and pediatric patients without requiring separate pads or complex switching mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Measurement precision

If AEDs include controls for energy adjustments based on body mass, then pediatric treatment accuracy is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy delivery accuracy for pediatric patientsVSAvoidcontrols and decision-making complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The AED system performs self-service by automatically detecting patient type (adult or pediatric) and selecting the appropriate energy level and treatment protocol without requiring manual input from the operator. The device autonomously adjusts treatment parameters based on the detected patient category, eliminating the need for complex controls while maintaining pediatric treatment accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Manufacturing precision

If separate electrode pads are provided for adult and pediatric patients, then placement guidance is accurate for each age group, but device complexity and operator decision-making increase during emergencies

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveplacement guidance accuracyVSAvoidnumber of electrode pad options
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A single universal electrode pad design incorporates graphics suitable for both adult and pediatric patients. The pad includes multiple body images and placement indicators that can guide correct electrode placement for different patient types, eliminating the need for separate adult and pediatric pads while maintaining placement accuracy for both age groups.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Reliability

If the AED provides detailed energy adjustments for pediatric patients, then treatment effectiveness is improved, but the number of decisions the operator must make increases during time-critical situations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepediatric treatment effectivenessVSAvoidoperator decision-making burden
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The AED automatically determines the appropriate energy level and treatment protocol by detecting patient type and selecting pre-programmed pediatric protocols. This self-service capability eliminates the need for operators to manually adjust energy settings or make complex decisions about pediatric treatment parameters, reducing the decision-making burden while maintaining treatment effectiveness through automated selection of evidence-based protocols.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP2994190B1Defibrillator electrode having adult and pediatric graphics
Publication Date: 2018.02.28 KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS NV
  • EP2994190B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1b
  • EP2994190B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2994190B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An electrode pad (110, 210) for a defibrillator has an improved graphic indication for placement of the pad on a patient during a rescue. The graphic indication may include both of an adult figure and a pediatric figure showing the placement of the electrode pad. Thus, the graphic figures assist the rescuer in placing the electrode pad for both adult and pediatric patients.