Wearable cardiac defibrillator (WCD) poking the patient when not ready for use
A wearable medical device includes a garment and a medical device. The medical device has a functionality that can transition between an operative state and an inoperative state. When the functionality is in the inoperative state, a protrusion extends so as to poke the patient, as an indication that steps need to be taken to make the device ready for use.
1. A wearable medical device for treating a patient, comprising:
a garment configured to be worn by the patient;
a medical device configured to deliver a treatment shock to the patient while the garment is worn by 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 operative state and when the functionality is in the inoperative state; and
a protrusion configured to extend so as to poke the patient when the patient wears the garment and the monitored functionality is in the inoperative state, the protrusion further configured to retract when the monitored functionality is in the operative state.
2. The wearable medical device of claim 1 , in which
the protrusion is integrated into the garment.
3. The wearable medical device of claim 1 , in which
the medical device is attached to the garment and worn by the patient when the patient wears the garment, and
the protrusion is integrated with the medical device.
4. The wearable medical device of claim 1 , further comprising:
a solenoid, and
in which the protrusion is activated by the solenoid.
5. The wearable medical device of claim 1 , in which
the medical device includes a wearable cardioverter defibrillator.
6. The wearable medical device of claim 1 , in which
the medical device includes a defibrillator, and
the functionality is an ability of the defibrillator to deliver the treatment shock.
7. The wearable medical device of claim 6 , 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.
8. The wearable medical device of claim 6 , in which
the defibrillator is configured to perform a self-test to determine also if the functionality is in the operative state.