Wearable Defibrillator Aggregating Multi-Parameter Physiological Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wearable cardioverter defibrillators (WCDs) often rely solely on electrocardiogram (ECG) signals for shock/no shock determinations, which can be inadequate due to noise interference and conflicting determinations from multiple physiological inputs, leading to potential misdiagnosis and inappropriate treatment.
Innovation Solution
A WCD system that incorporates multiple transducers to sense various patient parameters from different body parts, aggregating individual analysis scores to generate an aggregate analysis score, which determines whether to deliver a shock based on meeting a predefined criterion, considering multiple physiological inputs for more accurate decision-making.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple transducers sensing multiple patient parameters are used, then the accuracy of shock/no shock determinations is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the monitoring function by using multiple transducers to sense different patient parameters (ECG, blood pressure, oxygen saturation, etc.) independently, then processes each parameter separately to generate individual analysis scores before aggregating them into a final shock determination. This segmentation allows each sensor to focus on its specific parameter while the aggregate score integrates all inputs.
Solution Approach 2:
The WCD system implements multi-functionality by incorporating various transducers that can sense multiple types of patient parameters (electrical, mechanical, chemical) through a single integrated platform. The system universally processes all these different parameter types through a common aggregation algorithm to make shock determinations, making the device adaptable to multiple monitoring needs.
2Reliability
If multiple patient parameters are aggregated for shock determination, then the reliability of the determination is improved, but the difficulty of detecting and measuring increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs feedback mechanisms where individual analysis scores from each transducer are continuously monitored and aggregated. The aggregation process provides feedback on the overall patient status, allowing the system to adjust and refine shock determinations based on the combined information from all parameters, thereby improving reliability through iterative assessment.
3Measurement precision
If multiple physiological inputs are considered, then the measurement precision is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges multiple physiological inputs (ECG signals, blood pressure readings, oxygen saturation levels) into a unified aggregate analysis score. By combining these diverse data streams through a common aggregation algorithm, the system achieves precise shock determination while managing complexity through integration rather than separate processing pathways.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for a wearable cardioverter defibrillator (WCD) system comprises sensing one or more patient parameters from different parts of a body of the patient by the one or more transducers, obtaining a plurality of physiological inputs from the sensed one or more patient parameters, detecting first aspects from each of at least some of the physiological inputs, generating an aggregated first aspect from at least two of the detected first aspects, determining an aggregate analysis score from the aggregated first aspect, and determining whether the aggregate analysis score meets an aggregate shock criterion. The electrical charge is discharged within six minutes from when it is determined that the aggregate shock criterion is met, otherwise the electrical charge is not discharged for at least 19 minutes from when it is determined that the aggregate shock criterion is not met.