Wearable Cardioverter Defibrillator Walking Intensity Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Wearable cardioverter defibrillators (WCDs) lack the capability to effectively monitor and respond to changes in physical activity intensity and trends, which are crucial for determining wellness parameters and providing personalized recommendations for improving health.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating motion sensors, such as accelerometers and 9-axis absolute orientation sensors, into WCDs to detect motion, orientation, and intensity of physical activities like walking, allowing for the analysis of trends and patterns to determine wellness parameters and recommend activity levels.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If motion sensors are incorporated into WCDs to detect physical activity intensity, then the capability to monitor wellness parameters is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvephysical activity intensity detectionVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces motion sensors as intermediary devices that detect physical activity and convert it into measurable signals. These sensors act as mediators between the user's physical activity and the WCD's monitoring system, enabling indirect measurement of wellness parameters through motion detection without requiring direct physiological measurement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The motion sensors are integrated into the existing WCD platform, allowing the device to perform multiple functions: traditional cardiac monitoring through electrodes and new physical activity monitoring through motion sensors. This multi-functionality approach enables the WCD to comprehensively monitor both heart health and physical activity levels using a single unified device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If motion sensors and analysis modules are added to detect activity trends, then the wellness monitoring capability is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewellness parameter determinationVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines motion sensing capabilities with the existing WCD manufacturing process. By integrating motion sensors into the same device housing and control system already used for cardiac monitoring, the patent leverages shared manufacturing infrastructure, supply chains, and assembly processes, thereby reducing the incremental manufacturing cost of adding wellness monitoring features.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The motion analysis module automatically processes sensor data to determine wellness parameters and generate recommendations without requiring external intervention. The system self-calibrates and self-analyzes activity patterns, reducing the need for additional manufacturing components that would require complex assembly or calibration procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If continuous monitoring of physical activity is implemented, then the personalization of health recommendations is improved, but the energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepersonalized recommendation capabilityVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic sampling of motion sensor data rather than continuous high-rate monitoring. The system collects motion data at intervals sufficient to detect activity trends and patterns while allowing the processor to enter low-power states between measurements. This periodic action maintains the ability to generate personalized recommendations while significantly reducing overall energy consumption compared to continuous monitoring.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The motion analysis module selectively processes only the most relevant motion data for determining wellness parameters, rather than analyzing all sensor inputs continuously. By focusing computational resources on key activity metrics and patterns that most strongly correlate with health outcomes, the system achieves effective personalization with reduced processing energy requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

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 continuous monitoring of heart health and physical activity, providing personalized recommendations to improve wellness by detecting changes in activity intensity and patterns, thereby preventing conditions like sudden cardiac arrest.

Implementation Method 1

the WCD may include one or more motion sensors such as, but not limited to, an accelerometer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAccelerometer: Accelerometer

Implementation Method 2

motion sensors such as, but not limited to, an accelerometer and a 9-axis absolute orientation sensor

Methodology Applied

Scientific Effect9-axis absolute orientation sensor:

Data Source

PatentUS11698385B2Walking intensity detection and trending in a wearable cardioverter defibrillator

Publication Date: 2023.07.11 WEST AFFUM HLDG DAC

AI summary

Technologies and implementations for a wearable healthcare system, which may be worn by a person. The wearable healthcare systems may include one or more motion sensors. A motion analysis modules may be included in the wearable healthcare system, which may be configured to determine physical activities and intensity of the physical activities of the person.