Wearable Defibrillator Dynamic Electrode Biasing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wearable defibrillator systems face compliance issues due to discomfort caused by electrodes needing continuous good electrical contact with the skin, leading to poor adherence to long-term wear.
Innovation Solution
A wearable defibrillator system with a support structure and monitoring device that monitors parameters other than ECG, allowing electrodes to be worn loosely until an actionable episode is detected, at which point they are mechanically biased for good contact and electrical therapy can be administered.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If electrodes continuously make good electrical contact with the skin, then ECG monitoring reliability is improved, but patient comfort deteriorates and compliance worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically transitions electrode contact state based on monitoring needs: electrodes alternate between biased (contacting skin for ECG monitoring) and unbiased (loose, comfortable) states. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by providing reliable contact only when necessary for detection, while maintaining comfort during normal wear.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrodes are periodically biased against the skin to obtain ECG readings, then released to maintain comfort. This periodic contact pattern allows the system to achieve necessary monitoring reliability while minimizing discomfort and improving patient compliance with long-term wear.
2Reliability
If electrodes are always biased against the skin, then electrical contact quality is improved, but patient comfort and compliance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The biasing mechanism dynamically adjusts electrode contact based on system state: electrodes are biased only when ECG monitoring is required, and released when monitoring is complete or unnecessary. This dynamic control maintains electrical contact quality when needed while improving comfort and compliance during non-monitoring periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically controls electrode biasing based on its own monitoring needs without requiring patient intervention. The processor determines when ECG readings are necessary and automatically activates the biasing mechanism, ensuring contact quality is maintained only when the system itself requires it, thereby improving compliance.
3Measurement precision
If the system requires long-term continuous ECG monitoring, then detection accuracy is improved, but patient comfort and compliance worsen
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuous ECG monitoring, the system performs periodic monitoring by alternating electrode biasing states. Electrodes are biased to obtain ECG readings at intervals, then released to maintain comfort. This periodic approach maintains adequate detection accuracy for identifying tachyarrhythmias while significantly improving patient compliance with long-term wear.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts monitoring intensity based on clinical need and system state. By transitioning between monitoring and non-monitoring states, the system maintains sufficient detection accuracy for life-threatening conditions while improving comfort during non-critical periods, thereby enhancing overall compliance.
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
This design reduces discomfort and improves compliance by allowing loose wear of the system until an episode is detected, ensuring effective electrical contact and therapy delivery.
Implementation Method 1
the electrode becomes mechanically biased against the person's body, for making good electrical contact
Data Source
AI summary
A wearable medical system configured to be worn by a person, comprising a support structure configured to be worn by the person, a monitoring device configured to monitor at least one physiological parameter of the person, wherein the at least one physiological parameter includes an electrocardiogram (ECG) reading of the person, an electrode coupled to the support structure, an energy storage device configured to store an electric charge for use in delivering a shock to the person through the electrode, and a biasing mechanism comprising at least one of an inflatable device, a hydraulic device, an electromagnetic device, and/or a screw gun device, the biasing mechanism configured to transition from the unbiased state to the biased state responsive to a value of the at least one physiological parameter reaching a threshold. The electrode is more movable with respect to the person's body in the unbiased state than the biased state.