WCD system outputting human-visible indication and proximate programming device with screen reproducing the human-visible indication in real time
View Patent ↗In embodiments, a wearable medical system (WMS) for an ambulatory patient, which can be a wearable cardioverter defibrillator (WCD) system, analyzes the patient's ECG signal to generate a detection outcome. The WMS also has an ambulatory user interface that outputs a human-visible indication. A programming device, such as a PC, a tablet, etc., establishes a communication link with the WMS during an in-person session with the patient. The programming device may include a programming screen that reproduces the human-visible indication in real time. An advantage can be that the person programming the WMS need not strain to look also at the ambulatory user interface at the time they are looking at the programming device. Another advantage can be that the patient will recognize that he or she is better protected, and have their confidence in the WMS increased, and therefore better comply with wearing the WMS as required.
1. In combination, a wearable cardioverter defibrillator (WCD) system and a programming device,
the WCD system comprising:
a support structure configured to be worn by an ambulatory patient;
electrodes coupled to the support structure, at least some of the electrodes configured to sense an electrocardiogram (ECG) signal of the patient;
a defibrillator that includes an ambulatory processor configured to analyze the sensed ECG signal so as to generate a detection outcome from the sensed ECG signal, the defibrillator configured to discharge, through the patient via at least some of the electrodes, an electrical charge responsive to the detection outcome while the support structure is worn by the patient so as to deliver a shock to the patient;
an ambulatory user interface coupled to one of the support structure and the defibrillator, the ambulatory user interface configured to output a human-visible indication and to include a light source configured to be turned on to output the human-visible indication and then off, the light source can be thus turned on and off according to a certain pattern; and
an ambulatory communication module coupled to at least one of the support structure and the defibrillator, the ambulatory communication module configured to transmit defibrillator data over a local communication link that is shorter than 99 feet in length, the defibrillator data related to the human-visible indication, and
the programming device distinct from the defibrillator and operable while not coupled to the support structure, the programming device comprising:
a programming communication module configured to receive the transmitted defibrillator data over the local communication link;
a programming user interface that includes a programming screen arranged for viewing by a person other than the patient; and
a programming processor configured to cause the programming screen to display a diagnostic image about the human-visible indication responsive to the received defibrillator data by depicting the light source, the diagnostic image further depicts the light source turning on and off according to the certain pattern.
2. The combination of claim 1 , in which
the local communication link is at least partially established by a cable.
3. The combination of claim 1 , in which
the local communication link is wireless.
4. The combination of claim 1 , in which
the diagnostic image is displayed concurrently with the human-visible indication being output.
5. The combination of claim 1 , in which
the defibrillator includes a surface,
the light source is on the surface, and
the diagnostic image further depicts at least a portion of the surface.
6. The combination of claim 1 , in which
the ambulatory user interface includes an ambulatory screen,
the human-visible indication is displayed on the ambulatory screen, and
the diagnostic image reproduces the human-visible indication.
7. The combination of claim 1 , in which
the human-visible indication is about the detection outcome.
8. The combination of claim 7 , in which
the detection outcome includes one of an asystole diagnosis, a bradycardia diagnosis, a supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) diagnosis, a ventricular tachycardia (VT) diagnosis, and a ventricular fibrillation (VF) diagnosis.
9. A method for a combination of a wearable cardioverter defibrillator (WCD) system and a programming device, the WCD system comprising a support structure worn by an ambulatory patient, electrodes coupled to the support structure, a defibrillator including an ambulatory processor, an ambulatory user interface coupled to one of the support structure and the defibrillator, and an ambulatory communication module coupled to at least one of the support structure and the defibrillator, the programming device distinct from the defibrillator and operable while not coupled to the support structure, the programming device comprising a programming communication module, and a programming user interface that includes a programming screen arranged for viewing by a person other than the patient, the method comprising:
sensing, via at least some of the electrodes, an electrocardiogram (ECG) signal of the patient;
analyzing, by the ambulatory processor, the sensed ECG signal so as to generate a detection outcome from the sensed ECG signal;
transmitting, by the ambulatory communication module, defibrillator data over a local communication link that is shorter than 99 feet in length, the defibrillator data related to the human-visible indication;
outputting, by the ambulatory user interface, a human-visible indication, the ambulatory user interface includes a light source configured to be turned on to output the human-visible indication and then off;
receiving, by the programming communication module over the local communication link, the transmitted defibrillator data; and
displaying, by the programming screen, a diagnostic image about the human-visible indication responsive to the received defibrillator data by depicting the light source.
10. The method of claim 9 , in which
the local communication link is at least partially established by a cable.
11. The method of claim 9 , in which
the local communication link is wireless.
12. The method of claim 9 , further comprising:
discharging, by the defibrillator responsive to the detection outcome, an electrical charge through at least some of the electrodes while the support structure is worn by the patient so as to deliver a shock to the patient.
13. The method of claim 9 , in which
the diagnostic image is displayed concurrently with the human-visible indication being output.
14. The method of claim 9 , in which
the light source can be thus turned on and off according to a certain pattern, and
the diagnostic image further depicts the light source turning on and off according to the certain pattern.
15. The method of claim 9 , in which the defibrillator includes a surface,
the light source is on the surface, and
the diagnostic image further depicts at least a portion of the surface.
16. The method of claim 9 , in which
the ambulatory user interface includes an ambulatory screen,
the human-visible indication is displayed on the ambulatory screen, and
the diagnostic image reproduces the human-visible indication.
17. The method of claim 9 , in which
the human-visible indication is about the detection outcome.
18. The method of claim 17 , in which
the detection outcome includes one of an asystole diagnosis, a bradycardia diagnosis, a supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) diagnosis, a ventricular tachycardia (VT) diagnosis, and a ventricular fibrillation (VF) diagnosis.