Wireless Sensor Patch Layout for Accurate Cardiac Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current implantable devices for monitoring heart conditions, such as ICDs, face challenges with inaccuracy due to lead positioning errors and failures, leading to inappropriate cardiac interventions and discomfort for patients, especially active individuals, and there is a need for a more convenient and accurate real-time monitoring system suitable for both advanced and healthier subjects.
Innovation Solution
A wireless sensor system comprising electrode patches with releasable electrical connectors and a flexible electronics package that can be easily attached and detached, using hydrogel electrodes and hydrocolloid adhesive layers for comfort and accuracy, along with a network of sensors that synchronizes data in real-time for precise physiological monitoring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If implantable devices such as ICDs are used for monitoring heart conditions, then patients can carry on normal lives with relatively few restrictions, but lead positioning errors and failures occur due to patient movement, leading to inaccurate detection and inappropriate cardiac interventions
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the monitoring function into multiple independent wireless sensor nodes that can be placed on the body surface, eliminating the need for implantable leads while maintaining monitoring capability. Each node independently collects and transmits physiological data, resolving the contradiction between patient freedom and measurement accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical implantable lead system with a wireless sensor network that uses electromagnetic communication. This substitution eliminates the physical constraints and positioning errors associated with implanted leads, allowing patients to move freely while maintaining accurate physiological monitoring through wireless data transmission.
2Ease of operation
If wireless sensor networks are used for monitoring, then patient comfort and freedom are improved by decreasing devices attached to the patient, but data synchronization and alignment between multiple sensors become complex
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs feedback mechanisms where each wireless sensor node continuously exchanges timing and synchronization information with other nodes and a central coordinator. This feedback loop enables automatic time alignment and data synchronization, reducing the complexity of managing multiple sensors while maintaining patient comfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The wireless sensor nodes are designed with universal communication protocols and integrated functionality that handle both physiological data collection and synchronization tasks. This multi-functionality reduces the overall system complexity by consolidating synchronization mechanisms into the standard sensor nodes rather than requiring separate synchronization hardware.
3Reliability
If implantable devices are used for advanced stage disease patients, then life-threatening heart episodes can be controlled, but the devices are invasive and not suitable for relatively healthier subjects who also desire monitoring
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides dynamic monitoring capabilities that can be adjusted in intensity and functionality based on patient needs. Healthy subjects can use the wireless sensors for general wellness monitoring, while patients with advanced heart conditions can receive more intensive monitoring and immediate alert capabilities, making the system adaptable to different risk levels without requiring implantation.
Solution Approach 2:
The wireless sensor network acts as an intermediary between the patient's body and medical monitoring systems. For healthier subjects, it provides sufficient monitoring capability on its own. For patients with advanced disease, it serves as a bridge to implantable devices or central monitoring systems, enabling versatile application across different patient populations without requiring invasive procedures for all users.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for wirelessly obtaining physiological data from a subject includes a sensor patch and a separate electronics package. The sensor patch is disposed on and adheres to the subject, and includes a first part of a releasable electrical connector. An electronics package includes a second part of the first releasable electrical connector, which is used to physically and electrically connect the electronics package to the sensor patch. The electronics package includes a flexible substrate, with shells set on this substrate. The shells enclose the electronics. The shells are connected by a flexible circuit board. Analog front end circuitry is placed in one shell, while the wireless transceiver is placed in the other shell.