Reliable readiness indication for a wearable defibrillator

• US 9,757,576 B2
• Filed: 03/18/2015
• Issued: 09/12/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 03/18/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: West Affum Holdings DAC
• Original Assignee: West Affum Holdings Corp
• Inventors: Sullivan, Joseph Leo, Banville, Isabelle, Krusor, Blaine, Piha, Daniel Ralph, Gustavson, Laura Marie, Finch, David Peter, Cowan, Kenneth Frederick, Nova, Richard C
• Primary Examiner(s): EVANISKO, GEORGE ROBERT
• Application Number:
  US14/662,102
• Publication Number:
  US 20150321022A1
• Time in Patent Office: 909 Days
• 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 configured to treat a patient, the wearable medical device having a garment configured to be worn by the patient, the wearable medical device having a functionality that can transition between an operative state and an inoperative state;

a monitor to determine when the functionality is in the inoperative state;

the garment having a clasp operative to secure the garment on the patient when the functionality is in the operative state, the garment further having a solenoid in operative cooperation with the clasp, the solenoid operative to prevent the clasp from thus securing the garment when the monitored functionality is in the inoperative state.

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

3. The apparatus recited in claim 2, wherein the defibrillator includes a battery and is configured to be powered by the battery, and wherein the functionality is in the operative state if the battery is sufficiently charged for safe operation of the defibrillator.

4. The apparatus recited in claim 2, wherein the defibrillator is configured to perform a self-test to also determine if the functionality is in the operative state.

5. The apparatus recited in claim 1, wherein the solenoid is controlled by a signal from the monitor, the signal being present only when the functionality is in the operative state.

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

7. A wearable medical device for treating a patient, comprising:

a medical device configured to deliver a treatment shock to the patient, the medical device having a functionality that can transition between an operative state and an inoperative state;

a monitor to determine when the functionality is in the inoperative state;

a garment configured to be worn by the patient, the garment including a clasp configured for clasping by the patient when the functionality is in the operative state; and

an active component in operative cooperation with the clasp, the active component configured to move so as to physically interfere with the patient thus clasping when the monitored functionality is in the inoperative state.

8. The wearable medical device of claim 7, in which

the clasping causes the garment to be secured on the patient.

9. The wearable medical device of claim 7, in which

the active component includes a solenoid with a cylinder and a plunger, and

the plunger is configured to thus move with respect to the cylinder.

10. The wearable medical device of claim 7, in which

the monitor is configured to generate a signal when the functionality is in the operative state, and

the active component is controlled by the signal from the monitor.

11. The wearable medical device of claim 7, in which

the medical device includes a wearable cardioverter defibrillator.

12. The wearable medical device of claim 11, in which

the active component includes a solenoid with a cylinder and a plunger, and

the plunger is configured to thus move with respect to the cylinder.

13. The wearable medical device of claim 7, in which

the medical device has a defibrillator, and

the functionality is an ability of the defibrillator to deliver the treatment shock.

14. The wearable medical device of claim 13, in which

the active component includes a solenoid with a cylinder and a plunger, and

the plunger is configured to thus move with respect to the cylinder.

15. The wearable medical device of claim 13, in which

the defibrillator includes a battery, and

the defibrillator is configured to be powered by the battery, and

the functionality is in the operative state if the battery is sufficiently charged for the defibrillator to deliver the treatment shock to the patient.

16. The wearable medical device of claim 13, in which

the defibrillator is configured to perform a self-test to also determine if the functionality is in the operative state.