RELIABLE READINESS INDICATION FOR A WEARABLE DEFIBRILATOR

• US 20150321022A1
• Filed: 03/18/2015
• Published: 11/12/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 03/18/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: West Affum Holdings DAC
• Original Assignee: Physio-Control Incorporated (Stryker Corporation)
• Inventors: Sullivan, Joseph Leo, Banville, Isabelle, Krusor, Blaine, Piha, Daniel Ralph, Gustavson, Laura Marie, Finch, David Peter, Cowan, Kenneth Frederick, Nova, Richard C.
• Granted Patent: US 9,757,576 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/046 Specially adapted for shock therapy, e.g. defibrillation
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0484 Garment electrodes worn by the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3904 External heart defibrillators [EHD]
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/39044 in combination with cardiopulmonary resuscitation [CPR] therapy
• 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 1/3993 User interfaces for automatic external defibrillators

Abstract

A portable medical device having a reliable readiness indicator. Embodiments provide a reliable readiness indicator with an active clasp that holds the garment in place. The clasp is enabled by the defibrillator when it is ready for use. If the clasp is not enabled the garment cannot be worn comfortably, and it becomes apparent to the patient that steps need to be taken to make the device ready for use.

Claims

1. An apparatus, comprising:

a wearable medical device having a garment, the wearable medical device having functionality that can be in an operative state or an inoperative state;

the garment being configured with an active component that impedes wearing the garment when the wearable medical device is in the inoperative state.

2. The apparatus recited in claim 1, wherein the wearable medical device further comprises a defibrillator, the functionality being related to an ability of the defibrillator to operate.

3. The apparatus recited in claim 2, wherein the defibrillator is powered by a battery, and wherein the functionality comprises the battery being sufficiently charged for safe operation.

4. The apparatus recited in claim 2, wherein the defibrillator performs self-tests to determine if the defibrillator is in the operative state.

5. The apparatus recited in claim 1, wherein the active component comprises a solenoid in operative cooperation with a clasp, the clasp being operative to secure the garment on a patient;

the solenoid operative to prevent the clasp from securing the garment.

6. The apparatus recited in claim 5, wherein the solenoid is controlled by a signal from the wearable medical device, the signal being present only when the wearable medical device is in the operative state.

7. The apparatus recited in claim 1, wherein the wearable medical device comprises a wearable cardioverter defibrillator.

8. The apparatus recited in claim 1, wherein the active component comprises an audible alert that announces that the wearable medical device is in the inoperative state.

9. The apparatus recited in claim 1, wherein the active component comprises a luminescent indicator embedded within the garment, the luminescent indicator being visible when the wearable medical device is in the operative state.

10. An apparatus, comprising:

a wearable medical device having a garment and a defibrillator, the garment having an active clasp for securing the garment, the active clasp including an active component operative to prevent the active clasp from securing the garment if the defibrillator is in an inoperative state.

11. The apparatus recited in claim 10, wherein the active component comprises a solenoid that prevents the active clasp from engaging while the defibrillator is in the inoperative state.

12. The apparatus recited in claim 10, wherein the active component comprises a protrusion that extends from the wearable medical device while the defibrillator is in the inoperative state.

13. The apparatus recited in claim 10, wherein the active clasp further is further configured to disengage if the defibrillator transitions from an operative state to the inoperative state.

14. An apparatus, comprising:

a garment portion and a defibrillator portion, the defibrillator portion having an operative state and an inoperative state;

a reliable readiness indicator coupled to the defibrillator portion, the reliable readiness indicator operative to determine whether the defibrillator portion is in the inoperative state; and

a wireless transmission component configured to transmit notice that the defibrillator portion is in the inoperative state upon based on the determination.

15. The apparatus recited in claim 14, wherein the reliable readiness indicator is further configured to impede securing the garment portion on a patient.

16. The apparatus recited in claim 15, wherein the impediment comprises a solenoid that prevents a clasp from securing the garment while the defibrillator is in the inoperative state.

17. The apparatus recited in claim 14, wherein the reliable readiness indicator further comprises an electroluminescent component that illuminates if the defibrillator portion is in the inoperative state.

18. The apparatus recited in claim 14, wherein the wireless transmission component is configured to transmit the notice over a cellular communication network.

19. The apparatus recited in claim 14, wherein the wireless transmission component is configured to transmit the notice over a packet-switched data network.

20. The apparatus recited in claim 19, wherein the wireless transmission component is configured to couple to an access point of a local area network.