WEARABLE CARDIAC DEFIBRILLATION SYSTEM WITH FLEXIBLE ELECTRODES

• US 20160121100A1
• Filed: 05/13/2015
• Published: 05/05/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 10/30/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: West Affum Holdings DAC
• Original Assignee: West Affum Holdings Corp
• Inventors: Meeker, Dallas Eugene, Buchanan, Robert Reuben, Medema, Douglas Keith, Finch, David Peter, Gustavson, Laura Marie, Finney, Daniel James, Crone, William Edward
• Granted Patent: US 9,833,607 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 1/0492 Patch electrodes A61N1/0412, A61N1/0428 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3968 Constructional arrangements, e.g. casings A61N1/375 takes precedence

Abstract

In embodiments, a wearable cardiac defibrillation (WCD) system includes one or more flexible ECG electrodes. The WCD system may have a support structure that is dimensioned to be worn so as to press the electrodes towards the body of the patient. The electrodes may be made from appropriate material so as to flex in order to match a contour of the body of the patient. An advantage over the prior art is that the flexible electrode may make better electrical contact with the patient'"'"'s skin, and therefore provide a better ECG signal for the WCD system to perform its diagnosis.

Claims

1. A Wearable Cardiac Defibrillator (WCD) system, comprising:

a support structure configured to be worn by a patient, the support structure dimensioned relative to a body of the patient to be so worn with nonzero internal tension that causes nonzero pressure to be exerted onto the body;

an electronics module configured to be coupled to the support structure;

a conductive electrode configured to be coupled to the support structure so that the electrode remains pressed against the body due to the nonzero pressure when the support structure is so worn, the electrode flexible enough so as to acquire a first shape due to being subjected to the nonzero pressure when the support structure is so worn, but a second shape different from the first shape if the electrode alone is deposited on a flat level surface without the electrode being subjected to an external pressure; and

a signal conductor configured to couple electronically the electronics module and the electrode when the electronics module is coupled to the support structure and the support structure is so worn.

2-11. -11. (canceled)

12. A Wearable Cardiac Defibrillator (WCD) system, comprising:

a support structure configured to be worn by a patient, the support structure dimensioned relative to a body of the patient to be so worn with nonzero internal tension that causes nonzero pressure to be exerted onto the body;

an electronics module configured to be coupled to the support structure;

an electrode assembly configured to be coupled to the support structure so that the electrode assembly remains pressed against the body due to the nonzero pressure when the support structure is so worn, the electrode assembly including an electrode, a signal terminal electrically coupled to the electrode, and a pillow structure between the electrode and the signal terminal, the pillow structure flexible enough so as to acquire a first shape due to electrode assembly being subjected to the nonzero pressure when the support structure is so worn, but a second shape different from the first shape if the pillow structure alone is deposited on a flat level surface without the pillow structure being subjected to an external pressure; and

a signal conductor configured to couple electronically the electronics module and the signal terminal when the electronics module is coupled to the support structure and the support structure is so worn.

13. The WCD system of claim 12, in which

the electrode has a main surface with an average thickness measured in a direction perpendicular to the main surface of less than 4 mm.

14. The WCD system of claim 12, in which

the electrode has a main surface with an average thickness measured in a direction perpendicular to the main surface of less than 2 mm.

15. The WCD system of claim 12, in which

the electrode includes a metal foil.

16. The WCD system of claim 12, in which

the electrode includes a material that includes silicone.

17. The WCD system of claim 12, in which

the electrode includes a material that includes a conductive silicone rubber.

18. The WCD system of claim 12, in which

the electrode includes a material that includes a conductive silicone rubber that contains one of carbon, carbon nanotubes, particles of a metal, and metal nanoparticles.

19. The WCD system of claim 12, in which

the electrode includes a material that includes polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) silicone rubber.

20. The WCD system of claim 12, in which

the electrode has a main surface that has holes.

21. The WCD system of claim 12, in which

the signal terminal is part of an electro-mechanical connector.

22. The WCD system of claim 12, in which

the signal terminal is part of a snap mechanical contact.

23. The WCD system of claim 12, in which

the first shape is a squeezed version of the second shape.

24. The WCD system of claim 12, in which

the pillow structure includes a piece of a foam.

25. The WCD system of claim 12, in which

the pillow structure includes a pouch filled with a fluid.

26. The WCD system of claim 12, in which

the pillow structure includes a pouch filled with air.

27. The WCD system of claim 12, in which

the electrode assembly further includes a flexible inner conductor that flexes when the pillow structure transitions from the first shape to the second shape, and

the signal terminal is electrically coupled to the electrode via the flexible inner conductor.

28. The WCD system of claim 27, in which

the flexible inner conductor includes a fabric that is coated with a metal.

29. The WCD system of claim 27, in which

the flexible inner conductor includes a fabric that is coated with silver.

30. The WCD system of claim 27, in which

the flexible inner conductor includes a fabric that is adhered to the electrode via a conductive adhesive.

31. The WCD system of claim 27, in which

the flexible inner conductor includes a fabric that is adhered to the electrode via a conductive double-sided pressure sensitive adhesive.

32. The WCD system of claim 27, in which

the flexible inner conductor includes a conductive fabric that is overmolded with the electrode.

33. The WCD system of claim 12, in which

the electrode assembly further includes, between the electrode and the signal terminal, a moisture barrier.

34. The WCD system of claim 33, in which

the moisture barrier is between the electrode and the pillow structure.

35. The WCD system of claim 33, in which

the electrode has a main surface that has holes.

36. The WCD system of claim 33, in which

the moisture barrier is between the electrode and the pillow structure.

the electrode has a main surface that has holes.

37. The WCD system of claim 12, in which

the electrode assembly further includes an electrostatic shield between the signal terminal and the electrode.

38. The WCD system of claim 37, in which

the electrostatic shield includes a metal foil encased in a tape.

39. The WCD system of claim 12, in which

the electrode assembly further includes a cover that surrounds the pillow structure at least in part.

40. The WCD system of claim 39, in which

the cover is flexible and flexes when the pillow structure transitions from the first shape to the second shape.

41. The WCD system of claim 39, in which

the cover surrounds the pillow structure completely.

42. The WCD system of claim 39, in which

the electrode assembly further includes a backing which, together with the cover, completely surround the pillow structure.

43. A standalone electrode assembly configured for use with a Wearable Cardiac Defibrillator (WCD) system, the WCD system including a support structure configured to be worn by a patient while exerting nonzero pressure to a body of the patient, an electronics module configured to be coupled to the support structure, and a signal conductor having a first end terminating in a first electro-mechanical connector and a second end configured to be coupled electronically to the electronics module, the standalone electrode assembly comprising:

an electrode;

a signal terminal that is electrically coupled to the electrode and is part of a second electro-mechanical connector that can match matingly the first electro-mechanical connector; and

a pillow structure between the electrode and the signal terminal, and

in which the electrode assembly is configured to be coupled to the support structure so that the electrode assembly remains pressed against the body due to the nonzero pressure when the support structure is so worn, and

the pillow structure is flexible enough so as to acquire a first shape due to electrode assembly being subjected to the nonzero pressure when the support structure is so worn, but a second shape different from the first shape if the pillow structure alone is deposited on a flat level surface without the pillow structure being subjected to an external pressure.

44-105. -105. (canceled)