Wearable Defibrillator Programming via Proximate Device ECG Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wearable medical systems, such as wearable cardioverter defibrillators, face challenges in efficiently managing ECG data storage and real-time programming, leading to potential gaps in patient monitoring and device customization.
Innovation Solution
A wearable medical system with an ambulatory user interface that outputs human-visible indications and a programming device with a reproducing screen, allowing for real-time communication and data analysis, along with a method to store and discard ECG data based on buffer periods to conserve memory, enabling better patient protection and device customization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the WMS stores only certain types of ECG data to conserve memory space, then memory usage is optimized, but data completeness for analysis is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments ECG data storage between two locations: the WMS device stores filtered/selected ECG data locally, while the programming device stores complete ECG data sets. This segmentation allows each component to optimize its storage usage while collectively preserving data completeness.
Solution Approach 2:
The programming device acts as an intermediary that receives, stores, and analyzes complete ECG data sets transmitted from the WMS. It mediates between the limited onboard memory of the WMS and the need for comprehensive data analysis, enabling full data review without requiring the WMS to store everything locally.
2Loss of energy
If the WMS keeps only a buffer period of ECG data, then memory consumption is reduced, but the ability to review historical data is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system extends the data storage dimension from local temporary memory to remote persistent storage. By transmitting ECG data to the programming device, the system effectively adds a temporal dimension to data availability, enabling review of extended historical periods beyond the WMS buffer period.
3Ease of operation
If the programming device reproduces the human-visible indication in real time, then the programmer can monitor device status without looking at the ambulatory interface, but data transmission and processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The programming device creates a visual copy of the human-visible indication from the ambulatory user interface and displays it on its own screen in real time. This copying function allows the programmer to monitor device status, patient information, and operational parameters without needing to physically observe the ambulatory interface, improving programming convenience and patient interaction.
Data Source
AI summary
In embodiments, a wearable medical system (WMS) for an ambulatory patient, which can be a wearable cardioverter defibrillator (WCD) system, analyzes the patient's ECG signal to generate a detection outcome. The WMS also has an ambulatory user interface that outputs a human-visible indication. A programming device, such as a PC, a tablet, etc., establishes a communication link with the WMS during an in-person session with the patient. The programming device may include a programming screen that reproduces the human-visible indication in real time. An advantage can be that the person programming the WMS need not strain to look also at the ambulatory user interface at the time they are looking at the programming device. Another advantage can be that the patient will recognize that he or she is better protected, and have their confidence in the WMS increased, and therefore better comply with wearing the WMS as required.