WEARABLE CARDIAC DEFIBRILLATOR SYSTEM LONG-TERM MONITORING ALTERNATING PATIENT PARAMETERS OTHER THAN ECG

摘要

A Wearable Cardiac Defibrillator system includes a support structure with one or more electrodes in an unbiased state. Different sensor modules may monitor, for the long-term, different patient parameters such as the patient's motion, a physiological parameter, etc., other than the patient's ECG. The sensor modules can be worn by the patient concurrently, or only one at a time as convenient, and may provide respective sensor signals. The system may determine from one or more of the available received signals whether a certain threshold has been reached, such as when the patient is having an actionable episode. If so, at least one electrode may become mechanically biased against the patient's body, for making good electrical contact. Then, an ECG reading may be taken and/or electrical therapy may be administered. Since good electrical contact with the skin is not required, the patient's discomfort may be reduced and compliance may be increased.

主权项

1. A Wearable Cardiac Defibrillator (WCD) system configured to be worn by a patient who may be moving, the WCD system further configured for use with a first sensor module configured to monitor a first parameter of the patient other than the patient's ECG and to make available a first signal generated from the first parameter, the WCD system further configured for use with a second sensor module configured to monitor a second parameter of the patient other than the first parameter and other than the patient's ECG and to make available a second signal generated from the second parameter, the WCD system comprising:
a support structure configured to be worn by the patient; a defibrillator housing configured to be coupled to the support structure, the first sensor module and the second sensor module capable of being outside the defibrillator housing; an energy storage module configured to store an electrical charge within the defibrillator housing; a discharge circuit configured to discharge the stored electrical charge; a sensor interface configured to receive the first signal and the second signal; a processor configured to determine from the first signal or from the second signal whether a certain severity threshold has been reached; first electrodes coupled to the support structure, the coupling such that, while the support structure is worn by the patient, at least a certain one of the first electrodes is at one of an unbiased state in which it is moveable with respect to the patient's body responsive to the patient's moving, and a biased state in which the certain electrode is biased towards the patient's body against the support structure so as to be less moveable with respect to the patient's body than when in the unbiased state; and a first biasing mechanism configured to cause the certain electrode to transition from the unbiased state to the biased state responsive to the determination that certain severity threshold being reached.