Wearable CPR Sensor Garment with Real-Time Feedback

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current medical devices lack effective monitoring and feedback mechanisms for cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) techniques, particularly in wearable forms, which are crucial for improving cardiac arrest survival rates by ensuring proper chest compressions and ventilation rates.

Innovation Solution

A wearable medical device comprising a garment with integrated sensors, such as accelerometers, that detect CPR characteristics like chest compression depth and rate, providing real-time feedback to rescuers through audio and visual cues to ensure compliance with recommended CPR standards.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional external defibrillators are used, then cardiac arrhythmia treatment capability is improved, but real-time CPR monitoring and feedback capability is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecardiac arrhythmia treatment capabilityVSAvoidCPR therapy monitoring information

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines defibrillator functionality with CPR monitoring and feedback capabilities into a single integrated wearable device. The garment incorporates both defibrillation electrodes and multiple sensors (accelerometers, ventilation sensors) that work together to provide both treatment and real-time monitoring of CPR quality, eliminating the need for separate devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The wearable medical device performs multiple functions: it monitors chest compressions via accelerometers, detects ventilations via ventilation sensors, provides real-time feedback to rescuers, and delivers defibrillation therapy when needed. This multi-functional approach allows a single device to replace multiple separate medical devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Measurement precision

If wearable medical device with multiple sensors is used, then CPR monitoring accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveCPR characteristic detection accuracyVSAvoidsensor integration complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The device divides CPR monitoring into separate functional modules: chest compression sensors (accelerometers) for monitoring compression quality, ventilation sensors for detecting breaths, and processing units for analyzing data from each sensor type. This segmentation allows each sensor to be optimized for its specific function while simplifying the overall system architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a processing unit that acts as an intermediary between the multiple sensors and the feedback system. This processor integrates data from accelerometers and ventilation sensors, analyzes CPR quality metrics, and generates appropriate feedback signals, thereby managing the complexity of coordinating multiple sensors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If real-time CPR feedback is provided, then CPR therapy quality is improved, but information processing requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveCPR therapy qualityVSAvoidprocessor energy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The feedback system operates periodically rather than continuously, analyzing CPR metrics at regular intervals (e.g., every few seconds) rather than processing every sensor data point in real-time. This periodic operation maintains effective CPR monitoring while significantly reducing the computational energy requirements of the processor.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The device processes only the most critical CPR parameters (compression depth, rate, and ventilation presence) with full detail, while using simplified algorithms for less critical metrics. This selective processing approach provides sufficient feedback for improving CPR quality without requiring exhaustive analysis of all possible parameters.

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

Enhances the effectiveness of CPR by ensuring accurate and consistent application of chest compressions and ventilations, potentially increasing cardiac arrest survival rates by optimizing CPR performance.

Implementation Method 1

The same sensor comprises an accelerometer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAccelerometer: Accelerometer

Implementation Method 2

at least one ventilation sensor for detecting a characteristic of ventilations of a cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) therapy

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVentilation detection:

Data Source

PatentUS20210267843A1Monitoring CPR by a wearable medical device

Publication Date: 2021.09.02 ZOLL MEDICAL CORPORATION

AI summary

A wearable medical device comprises a garment configured to be worn about a torso of a patient. The wearable medical device further comprises a CPR sensor for detecting a characteristic of a CPR therapy provided to the patient. The CPR sensor is coupled to the garment to provide movement between a stowed position and a deployed position. The CPR sensor is positioned at a center of a chest of the patient when the CPR sensor is in the deployed position. The wearable medical device further comprises an output device. The wearable medical device further comprises a processor configured for processing information from the CPR sensor and providing, to the output device, information about the CPR therapy provided to the patient.