Conductive gel release and distribution devices
Inventors
Hulings, Robert J. • Quinnell, Scott D. • Ballard, Dale • Seman, Ronald A
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-12350507-B2
Publication Date
2025-07-08
Expiration Date
Abstract
A gel deployment device for use with an electrotherapy system is provided. The device includes a plurality of gel reservoirs disposed on a substrate, each of the plurality of gel reservoirs containing conductive gel. Each of the gel reservoirs are positioned adjacent to at least one seal such that the seal restricts flow of the conductive gel. The seal can be configured to release the conductive gel from the gel reservoir in response to pressure being applied about a perimeter of the seal at, for example, multiple points about the perimeter or substantially equally about the perimeter of the seal. In an example, each gel reservoir can be shaped such that the gel reservoir partially or fully surrounds a seal. In another example, multiple gel reservoirs can be arranged in clusters such that the multiple gel reservoirs are positioned about a single seal.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a wearable defibrillator electrotherapy delivery device that promotes comfort of an ambulatory patient while delivering a therapeutic shock to the patient. A conductive surface is configured to be in electrical contact with the skin and to provide therapeutic shock, while the device also provides air flow to the skin through ventilation holes.
The device includes a multilayer substrate or a substrate with multiple layers and ventilation holes, where the ventilation holes of each layer are aligned with the ventilation holes disposed on the conductive surface. The conductive-surface ventilation opening is larger than the ventilation holes of the substrate layers, and the ventilation holes are structured to provide airflow to the skin without causing premature obstruction.
In addition to ventilation, the device includes gel delivery features associated with electrotherapy. One or more gel reservoirs disposed on the substrate hold a quantity of gel to be released to the skin prior to treatment, and conductive gel is delivered to the conductive surface and the patient’s skin when predetermined pressure is applied through a rupturable seal mechanism.
Claims Coverage
The provided independent claims are clm-00001, clm-00010, and clm-00019. Across these claims, the inventive features focus on aligned ventilation holes between a multilayer substrate and a conductive surface with a size relationship, and gel reservoir-based conductive gel delivery prior to treatment governed by a pressure-triggered rupturable seal.
Aligned ventilation holes between multilayer substrate and conductive surface
A multilayer substrate includes one or more ventilation holes in each layer, and one or more ventilation holes disposed on the conductive surface are aligned with the one or more ventilation holes of each layer to provide air flow to the skin of the patient when the device is worn.
Larger ventilation opening on conductive surface than substrate-layer ventilation holes
The one or more ventilation holes disposed on the conductive surface are larger than any of the one or more ventilation holes of each layer of the multilayer substrate.
Multilayer substrate with aligned ventilation holes
A multilayer substrate includes an outer layer, a diaphragm layer, and a lidding layer, where each layer has ventilation holes and the ventilation holes are aligned to provide air flow to skin of a patient when worn.
Gel reservoirs releasing gel to skin prior to treatment
One or more gel reservoirs disposed on the substrate comprise a quantity of gel to be released to the skin of the patient prior to treatment of the patient.
Therapeutic shock conductive surface with ventilation opening larger than aligned substrate ventilation holes
A conductive surface mechanically coupled to the substrate imparts a therapeutic shock to the skin of a patient, the conductive surface comprising at least one ventilation opening to provide air flow to the skin of the patient, where the at least one ventilation opening is larger than the substrate ventilation holes.
Taken together, the independent claims cover an ambulatory wearable defibrillator electrotherapy delivery device that promotes comfort by using an electrically contacting conductive surface for therapeutic shock while providing airflow via ventilation holes aligned between a multilayer substrate and the conductive surface, with the conductive-surface ventilation opening larger than substrate-layer ventilation holes. Additional coverage includes gel reservoirs configured to release conductive gel to the skin prior to treatment, with release governed by a pressure-activated rupturable seal mechanism.
Stated Advantages
Improved seal reliability under garment pressure.
Improved gel flow area/path upon rupture.
Reduced premature failure and leakage.
Improved comfort related airflow/ventilation to the patient's skin when the device is worn.
Documented Applications
Electrotherapy delivery for a wearable defibrillator used by an ambulatory patient to promote comfort while delivering a therapeutic shock.
Providing airflow to patient skin through aligned ventilation holes when the device is worn for ambulatory use.
Releasing conductive gel to patient skin prior to treatment in connection with wearable defibrillator electrotherapy delivery.
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