Wearable cardiac defibrillation system with flexible electrodes

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016121100-A1
Application number	US-201514710799-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	May 13, 2015
Priority date	Oct 30, 2014
Publication date	May 5, 2016
Grant date	—

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.

First claim

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 . (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-mechan

Assignees

• West Affum Holdings Corp

Inventors

• Crone William Edward
• Meeker Dallas Eugene
• Buchanan Robert Reuben
• Medema Douglas Keith
• Finch David Peter
• Gustavson Laura Marie
• Finney Daniel James

Classifications

• A61N1/046

  Specially adapted for shock therapy, e.g. defibrillation · CPC title

• A61N1/3968

  Constructional arrangements, e.g. casings (A61N1/375 takes precedence) · CPC title

• A61N1/0492

  Patch electrodes (A61N1/0412, A61N1/0428 take precedence) · CPC title

• A61N1/0484 Primary

  Garment electrodes worn by the patient · CPC title