Wearable Cardiac Arrest Detection Using Multi-Modal Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current solutions fail to promptly alert potential first responders and emergency services when a cardiac arrest occurs, especially in settings where the individual is alone or in enclosed spaces, leading to delayed intervention and increased risk of mortality.
Innovation Solution
A wearable cardiac arrest detection and alerting device that uses multiple non-invasive heart function sensing methods, such as photoplethysmography and Doppler ultrasound, to detect cardiac arrest and immediately alert pre-programmed contacts via audible alarms, haptic alerts, and cellular transmissions, including GPS-derived location, to ensure timely intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If automated external defibrillators are made widely available and simple to use, then the effectiveness of cardiac arrest treatment is improved, but the response time is still delayed due to the 8-10 minute arrival time of emergency medical personnel
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables automatic detection of cardiac arrest and autonomous alerting to first responders without requiring manual intervention from the victim or bystanders. The wearable device continuously monitors heart function and automatically initiates the emergency response sequence when cardiac arrest is detected, eliminating delays associated with manual activation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-programs emergency contact information and GPS location data before an emergency occurs. When cardiac arrest is detected, the device immediately transmits pre-prepared alert information to first responders, eliminating the time required to manually provide this information during the critical initial moments of the emergency.
2Reliability
If multiple non-invasive heart function sensing methods are used, then the reliability of cardiac arrest detection is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system combines multiple independent heart function sensing methods (optical photoplethysmography, electrical ECG, acoustic heart sound detection) into a single integrated wearable device. This convergence of multiple sensing modalities within one device achieves reliable cardiac arrest detection through cross-validation while maintaining a unified user interface and processing system.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors heart function parameters and compares them against normal ranges in real-time. When deviations indicating cardiac arrest are detected, the system provides immediate feedback through the alerting mechanism. The multi-sensing approach creates internal feedback loops where each sensor validates the others, reducing false positives while maintaining high detection reliability.
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
The device significantly reduces the probability of false alarms and ensures prompt notification of first responders, potentially saving lives by facilitating immediate CPR and defibrillation efforts.
Implementation Method 1
one or more photodetectors to continuously measure photon signal levels associated with transmitted photons
Implementation Method 2
detect blood flow rate level based on the principle of the velocity-dependent Doppler shift of transmitted and received first and second frequencies
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure provides wearable cardiac arrest detection and alerting device that incorporates a non-invasive sensor based on optical and/or electrical signals transmitted into and received from human tissue containing blood vessels, and that transcutaneously quantifies the wearer's heart rate. The heart-rate quantification enables the detection of the absence of any heart beat by the wearable detection and alerting device indicative of the occurrence of a cardiac arrest, wherein the heart is no longer achieving effective blood circulation in the individual wearing the device. The display on the wearable cardiac arrest detection and alerting device may include the elapsed time since the time of detection of a heart rate that is below a predetermine lower limit value, i.e., the detected occurrence of a cardiac arrest event.