Wearable Cardiac Defibrillator Mobile Interface Remote Shock Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wearable Cardiac Defibrillators (WCDs) face challenges in patient compliance due to visible action units, which attract attention, and lack of remote monitoring capabilities for post-shock assistance, potentially leading to inadequate care in emergency situations.
Innovation Solution
A WCD system configured with a mobile communication device for wireless inputs and a tethered action unit, allowing discreet operation and remote assistance notification, including shock data and patient location, to ensure appropriate post-shock care.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a custom action unit with user interface is provided for patient interaction, then ease of operation is improved, but device visibility and patient embarrassment increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the user interface functionality from the main WCD device and relocates it to a mobile communication device that the patient already carries. This allows the action unit to remain hidden under clothing while maintaining full interaction capability through wireless communication between the mobile device and the WCD system.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile communication device serves as an intermediary between the patient and the WCD system. It provides the user interface functionality while remaining invisible to others, thus mediating between the need for ease of operation and the need to minimize visible presence of the medical device.
2Reliability
If remote assistance notification is implemented after shock delivery, then patient safety and post-shock care quality are improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile communication device performs multiple functions: it serves as the user interface, provides GPS location tracking, enables emergency calling, and communicates with the WCD system. By making the mobile device multi-functional, the patent avoids adding separate complex components to the WCD while still achieving comprehensive remote assistance capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically notifies emergency services and contacts predefined contacts when a shock is delivered, without requiring patient action. The mobile device's existing capabilities (GPS, cellular communication) are leveraged to provide self-service emergency notification, reducing the need for additional complex monitoring infrastructure.
Data Source
AI summary
A Wearable Cardiac Defibrillator (WCD) system is configured to be worn by a patient who carries a mobile communication device. The mobile communication device has a user interface that is configured to enable the patient to enter wireless inputs. The WCD system includes a communication module that is configured to establish a local commlink with the mobile communication device. The mobile communication device can receive shock data from the WCD system after a shock is applied to the patient, can determine a location of the WCD system based on a location of the mobile communication device, and can transmit the shock data and the location data to a central call center of a remote assistance system. The central call center can enhance the operation of the WCD system by contacting the patient, contacting and emergency contact, and/or contacting a local emergency medical system (EMS).