WATER RESISTANT WEARABLE MEDICAL DEVICE

• US 20120158075A1
• Filed: 12/05/2011
• Published: 06/21/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 12/16/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Zoll Medical Corporation (Asahi Kasei Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Zoll Medical Corporation (Asahi Kasei Corporation)
• Inventors: Kaib, Thomas E., Volpe, Shane S., Clark, John G.
• Granted Patent: US 9,427,564 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/7
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/046 Specially adapted for shock therapy, e.g. defibrillation
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0476 Array electrodes (including any electrode arrangement with more than one electrode for at least one of the polarities)
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0484 Garment electrodes worn by the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3925 Monitoring; Protecting
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3968 Constructional arrangements, e.g. casings A61N1/375 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3987 characterised by the timing or triggering of the shock
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3993 User interfaces for automatic external defibrillators

Abstract

An accessory kit for use with a wearable medical device, such as a wearable defibrillator, that includes a control unit and a first plurality of electrodes electrically coupled to the control unit. The first plurality of electrodes includes a first plurality of ECG sensing electrodes and a first plurality of therapy electrodes configured to provide a defibrillating shock to a body of a patient. The accessory kit includes a waterproof enclosure configured to receive the control unit and protect the control unit during operation in a wet environment and a second plurality of electrodes that are electrically coupled to a connector configured to removably and electrically couple to the control unit. The second plurality of electrodes includes a second plurality of ECG sensing electrodes and a second plurality of therapy electrodes configured to provide a defibrillating shock to the body of the patient.

Claims

1. An accessory kit for use with a wearable medical device, the wearable medical device including a control unit and a first plurality of electrodes electrically coupled to the control unit, the first plurality of electrodes including a first plurality of ECG sensing electrodes and a first plurality of therapy electrodes configured to provide a defibrillating shock to a body of a patient, the accessory kit comprising:

a second plurality of electrodes including a second plurality of ECG sensing electrodes and a second plurality of therapy electrodes configured to provide a defibrillating shock to the body of the patient, the second plurality of electrodes being electrically coupled to a connector that is configured to removably and electrically couple to the control unit of the wearable medial device; and

a waterproof enclosure configured to receive the control unit and protect the control unit during operation in a wet environment.

2. The accessory kit of claim 1, wherein the connector is a first connector, and wherein the wearable medical device includes a connection pod that is electrically connected to the control unit, the connection pod being electrically connected to a second connector that is configured to removably and electrically connect to the first connector.

3. The accessory kit of claim 2, wherein the waterproof enclosure is further configured to receive the connection pod and protect the connection pod and the control unit during operation in the wet environment.

4. The accessory kit of claim 3, wherein the connection pod is electrically connected to the second connector by a cable, and wherein the waterproof enclosure includes an aperture configured to form a waterproof seal about the cable.

5. The accessory kit of claim 2, wherein the second plurality of electrodes includes a pair of combined ECG/therapy electrodes, each combined ECG/therapy electrode of the pair of combined ECG/therapy electrodes including at least one ECG sensing electrode and a therapy electrode mounted to a common backing.

6. The accessory kit of claim 5, wherein each combined ECG/therapy electrode of the pair of combined ECG/therapy electrodes includes two ECG sensing electrodes and the therapy electrode mounted to the common backing.

7. The accessory kit of claim 6, wherein the wearable medical device includes a user interface pod electrically coupled to the control unit, and wherein the accessory kit further comprises a second a waterproof enclosure configured to receive the user interface pod and protect the user interface pod during operation in a wet environment.

8. The accessory kit of claim 1, wherein the second plurality of electrodes are electrically coupled to the connector via a waterproof connection pod.

9. The accessory kit of claim 8, wherein the waterproof connection pod includes electronic circuitry that is potted with a waterproof potting compound, and wherein any openings in the waterproof connection pod are sealed with an elastomeric sealant.

10. The accessory kit of claim 8, wherein the waterproof connection pod is electrically connected to the connector by a cable, and wherein the waterproof enclosure includes an aperture configured to form a waterproof seal about the cable.

11. The accessory kit of claim 8, wherein the second plurality of electrodes includes a pair of combined ECG/therapy electrodes, each combined ECG/therapy electrode of the pair of combined ECG/therapy electrodes including at least one ECG sensing electrode and a therapy electrode mounted to a common backing.

12. The accessory kit of claim 11, wherein each combined ECG/therapy electrode of the pair of combined ECG/therapy electrodes includes two ECG sensing electrodes and the therapy electrode mounted to the common backing.

13. The accessory kit of claim 1, wherein the first plurality of electrodes are electrically coupled to a first connection port of the control unit via a first connection pod, wherein the second plurality of electrodes are electrically coupled to the connector via a waterproof connection pod, and wherein the connector is configured to removably and electrically couple to a second connection port of the control unit that is distinct from the first connection port.

14. The accessory kit of claim 13, wherein the waterproof connection pod includes electronic circuitry that is potted with a waterproof potting compound, and wherein any openings in the waterproof connection pod are sealed with an elastomeric sealant.

15. The accessory kit of claim 14, wherein the second plurality of electrodes includes a pair of combined ECG/therapy electrodes, each combined ECG/therapy electrode of the pair of combined ECG/therapy electrodes including at least one ECG sensing electrode and a therapy electrode mounted to a common backing.

16. The accessory kit of claim 15, wherein each combined ECG/therapy electrode of the pair of combined ECG/therapy electrodes includes two ECG sensing electrodes and the therapy electrode mounted to the common backing, and wherein at least one of the pair of combined ECG/therapy electrodes further includes a patient responsiveness button by which the patient can indicate to the control unit that they are conscious.

17. The accessory kit of claim 16, wherein the wearable medical device includes a user interface pod electrically coupled to the control unit, and wherein the accessory kit further comprises a second a waterproof enclosure configured to receive the user interface pod and protect the user interface pod during operation in a wet environment.

18. A wearable medical device, comprising:

a water-resistant harness to be worn by a patient;

a plurality of ECG sensing electrodes disposed on the harness and configured to sense an ECG of the patient;

a plurality of therapy electrodes disposed on the harness and configured to provide at least one defibrillating shock to the body of the patient; and

a control unit, electrically coupled to the plurality of ECG sensing electrodes and the plurality of therapy electrodes, configured to monitor the sensed ECG of the patient, and responsive to detection of cardiac arrhythmia of the patient, to provide at least one defibrillating pulse of energy to at least one of the plurality of therapy electrodes, the control unit being housed in a waterproof case formed from a waterproof material that is sealed to prevent ingress of water during operation of the wearable medical device in a wet environment.

19. The wearable medical device of claim 18, further comprising a connection pod that electrically couples the plurality of ECG sensing electrodes and the plurality of therapy electrodes to the control unit, a body of the connection pod being formed from a waterproof material, wherein any openings in the body of the connection pod are sealed with a waterproof sealant.

20. The wearable medical device of claim 19, wherein the connection pod includes electronic circuitry, and wherein the electronic circuitry is potted in a waterproof potting compound.

21. The wearable medical device of claim 19, wherein the connection pod is electrically connected to the plurality of ECG sensing electrodes and the plurality of therapy electrodes by a removable connector.

22. The wearable medical device of claim 21, wherein the removable connector is waterproof.

23. The wearable medical device of claim 19, wherein the connection pod is electrically connected to the control unit by a removable and waterproof connector.

24. The wearable medical device of claim 19, wherein the connection pod is permanently electrically coupled to the control unit in a waterproof manner.

25. The wearable medical device of claim 19, further comprising a user interface pod configured to wirelessly communicate with the control unit, the user interface pod being housed in a waterproof case that is sealed to prevent the ingress of water during operation of the wearable medical device in a wet environment, wherein the user interface pod includes a speaker that is sealed with a water-resistant and sound permeable material.

26. An accessory kit for use with a wearable medical device, the wearable medical device including a control unit and a first plurality of electrodes electrically coupled to the control unit, the first plurality of electrodes including a first plurality of ECG sensing electrodes and a first plurality of therapy electrodes configured to provide a defibrillating shock to a body of a patient, the accessory kit comprising:

a second plurality of electrodes including a second plurality of ECG sensing electrodes and a second plurality of therapy electrodes configured to provide a defibrillating shock to the body of the patient; and

a waterproof connection pod electrically connected to the each of the second plurality of electrodes, the waterproof connection pod including an elongated cable to electrically couple the waterproof connection pod and the plurality of second electrodes to the control unit, wherein the elongated cable has a length sufficient to allow the control unit to remain in a dry location while also allowing freedom of movement of the patient in an adjacent wet environment with the plurality of second electrodes attached to the body of the patient.

27. The accessory kit of claim 26, wherein the length of the elongated cable is at least three meters, and wherein the elongated cable is electrically coupled to the control unit by a removable connector.

28. The accessory kit of claim 26, wherein the second plurality of electrodes includes a pair of combined ECG/therapy electrodes, each combined ECG/therapy electrode of the pair of combined ECG/therapy electrodes including at least one ECG sensing electrode and a therapy electrode mounted to a common backing.

29. The accessory kit of claim 28, wherein each ECG/therapy electrode of the pair of combined ECG/therapy electrodes includes two ECG sensing electrodes and the therapy electrode mounted to the common backing.

30. The accessory kit of claim 29, wherein the wearable medical device includes a user interface pod electrically coupled to the control unit, and wherein the accessory kit further comprises a waterproof enclosure configured to receive the user interface pod and protect the user interface pod during operation in the wet environment.

31. The accessory kit of claim 29 wherein the wearable medical device further includes a user interface pod configured to wirelessly communicate with the control unit, the user interface pod being housed in a waterproof case that is sealed to prevent the ingress of water during operation in the wet environment.

32. The accessory kit of claim 27, wherein the first plurality of electrodes are electrically coupled to a first connection port of the control unit, wherein the removable connector is configured to removably and electrically couple to a second connection port of the control unit that is distinct from the first connection port.

33. The accessory kit of claim 32, wherein the second plurality of electrodes includes a pair of combined ECG/therapy electrodes, each combined ECG/therapy electrode of the pair of combined ECG/therapy electrodes including at least one ECG sensing electrode and a therapy electrode mounted to a common backing.

34. The accessory kit of claim 33, wherein each combined ECG/therapy electrode of the pair of combined ECG/therapy electrodes includes two ECG sensing electrodes and the therapy electrode mounted to the common backing, and wherein at least one of the pair of combined ECG/therapy electrodes further includes a patient responsiveness button by which the patient can indicate to the control unit that they are conscious.