Wearable Defibrillator Divert Control for Unnecessary Shock Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wearable cardioverter defibrillator (WCD) systems may administer unnecessary electric shocks due to incorrect diagnoses, causing discomfort and anxiety for patients, and there is a need for a mechanism to prevent such unwanted shocks.

Innovation Solution

The WCD system includes a divert actuator that allows patients to prevent an imminent discharge of unnecessary electric shocks and can be overridden in case of inadvertent actuation, along with features for instructional messages and long-term recording of episodes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the WCD system automatically administers electric shocks based on arrhythmia detection, then life-saving therapy is delivered promptly, but unnecessary shocks may be administered causing patient discomfort and anxiety

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of shock administrationVSAvoidpatient discomfort and anxiety from unnecessary shocks

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A divert actuator serves as an intermediary control mechanism between the automatic shock delivery system and the patient. When activated, it intervenes in the automatic therapy pathway to prevent shock delivery, allowing patients to override potentially erroneous automatic decisions while maintaining the overall automated detection system

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates feedback through the divert actuator that allows real-time patient input to modify the automatic shock delivery decision. The patient's activation of the divert actuator provides immediate feedback to the control circuitry, which then adjusts its therapy delivery based on this human input

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Ease of operation

If the divert actuator is made easily accessible for patient control, then patients can prevent unnecessary shocks, but the system may be inadvertently activated causing life-saving therapy to be withheld

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepatient control over shock deliveryVSAvoidrisk of inadvertent actuation

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The divert actuator implementation is dynamic, allowing the system to adapt its response based on the clinical context. The control circuitry evaluates whether to honor or override the divert actuator signal based on the detected arrhythmia type and severity, rather than simply accepting or rejecting patient input in all cases

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If multiple control functions are integrated into a single divert actuator, then the number of controls the patient must learn is reduced, but the complexity of the control system increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of controls to learnVSAvoidcontrol system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The divert actuator is designed as a universal control element that can perform multiple functions: preventing unnecessary shocks, initiating instructional messages, and starting long-term recording. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate controls patients must learn while the control circuitry intelligently routes the single input to appropriate system functions based on context

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 system effectively prevents unnecessary shocks, reduces patient anxiety, and allows for informed decision-making by the wearer, while also enabling long-term data recording for improved patient management.

Implementation Method 1

an energy storage module configured to store a charge that can be discharged via the electrode to deliver an electric shock to the patient

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEnergy storage and discharge: Capacitance

Data Source

PatentUS20260069873A1System and method to administer electric shock as therapy

Publication Date: 2026.03.12 PHYSIO CONTROL DEVELOPMENT CO LLC

AI summary

A system includes an electrode, a support structure configured to be worn by the patient, a divert actuator, a memory, and a processor. The processor is configured to: render the patient input responsive to the sensed physiological parameter; store the patient input for a regular time duration (RTD); responsive to actuation of the divert actuator, cause to set a recording episode time (RET); cause at least a portion of the patient input to remain stored for the RET; responsive to completion of the RET, resume cyclical storage of the patient input for successive regular time durations; and transition into a priority alert state responsive to the sensed physiological parameter of the patient having a value that exceeds a threshold value, the priority alert state being associated with a determination that a shock is to be delivered to the patient.