Wearable cardioverter defibrillator (WCD) system using sensor modules with reassurance code for confirmation before shock
A wearable cardioverter defibrillator (“WCD”) system includes a support structure that can be worn by a patient, and a defibrillator coupled to the support structure. An ECG input, rendered from an ECG of the patient, may meet a primary shock criterion. One or more sensor modules are further provided, which are worn by the patient at different times. The sensor modules may monitor different physiological parameters of the patient, and transmit signals about them. The WCD system further has a multi-sensor interface to receive the transmitted signals, and a processor to determine from them whether a secondary shock criterion is met. If both the primary and the secondary shock criteria are met, the decision is to shock. The signals increase specificity of the detection, while the patient can wear different modules depending on context.
1 . A wearable cardioverter defibrillator (WCD) system, comprising:
a support structure configured to be worn by a patient;
a processor;
a discharge circuit configured to discharge stored electrical charge through a body of the patient, the discharge circuit in communication with the processor;
a plurality of sensor modules, wherein each sensor module includes a sensor, and wherein at least two sensor modules of the plurality of sensor modules are configured to sense physiological parameters different from each other; and
a multi-sensor interface coupled to the support structure, the multi-sensor interface configured to:
receive signals from the plurality of sensor modules; and
transmit the signals to the processor,
wherein the processor is configured to:
classify each signal of the signals as an alarm signal or an assurance signal; and
determine whether to direct the discharge circuit to deliver a shock based on the classified signals.
2 . The WCD system of claim 1 , wherein the multi-sensor interface comprises a first socket and a second socket, each configured to receive one or more plugs of the plurality of sensor modules.
3 . The WCD system of claim 2 , wherein the multi-sensor interface comprises a first visual indicator, and wherein the first visual indicator is configured to activate in response to a signal received by the first socket from a first sensor module in the plurality of sensor modules.
4 . The WCD system of claim 3 , wherein the multi-sensor interface further comprises a second visual indicator, and wherein the second visual indicator is configured to activate in response to a second signal received by the second socket from a second sensor module in the plurality of sensor modules.
5 . The WCD system of claim 4 , wherein the first socket is configured to receive a first plug of the first sensor module, and wherein the second socket is configured to receive a second plug of the second sensor module.
6 . The WCD system of claim 1 , wherein when at least one signal of the signals is an alarm signal, the processor is configured to direct the discharge circuit to deliver a shock.
7 . The WCD system of claim 1 , wherein the processor is further configured to:
set a threshold for a shock condition;
count a number of alarm signals; and
when the number of alarm signals exceeds the threshold for the shock condition, direct the discharge circuit to deliver a shock.
8 . The WCD system of claim 7 , wherein the processor is further configured to:
assign each signal, of the signals, a weight based on a relative reliability of a parameter sensed by each sensor module of the plurality of sensor modules;
adjust the number of alarm signals based on the weight of each signal; and
when the adjusted number of alarm signals exceeds the threshold for the shock condition, direct the discharge circuit to deliver a shock.
9 . The WCD system of claim 1 , wherein the processor is further configured to:
compute a confidence score for each sensor module in the plurality of sensor modules;
when the computed confidence score is less than a confidence score threshold, query the sensor module to determine whether an assurance signal has been received in a first time interval; and
when the assurance signal has not been received, direct the discharge circuit to deliver a shock.
10 . The WCD system of claim 9 , wherein the processor is further configured to:
when the computed confidence score is greater than the confidence score threshold, query the sensor module to determine whether an assurance signal has been received in a second time interval; and
when the assurance signal has not been received, direct the discharge circuit to deliver a shock.
11 . The WCD system of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the signals is classified as an assurance signal.
12 . A wearable cardioverter defibrillator (WCD) system, comprising:
a support structure configured to be worn by a patient;
a defibrillator housing;
a discharge circuit configured to discharge stored electrical charge through a body of the patient;
a processor within the defibrillator housing, the processor configured to be in communication with the discharge circuit;
a plurality of sensor modules, each sensor module in the plurality of sensor modules including a sensor, wherein at least two sensor modules of the plurality of sensor modules are configured to sense physiological parameters different from each other; and
a multi-sensor interface, coupled to the support structure, configured to:
receive signals from a first sensor module and a second sensor module; and
transmit the signals to the processor,
wherein the processor is further configured to:
classify each signal of the signals as an alarm signal or an assurance signal; and
determine whether to direct the discharge circuit to deliver a shock based on the classified signals.
13 . The WCD system of claim 12 , wherein the multi-sensor interface is incorporated within the defibrillator housing.
14 . The WCD system of claim 12 , wherein the multi-sensor interface protrudes from the defibrillator housing.
15 . The WCD system of claim 12 , wherein the plurality of sensor modules is remote from the defibrillator housing.
16 . The WCD system of claim 12 , wherein the processor is further configured to:
set a threshold for a shock condition;
count a number of alarm signals; and
when the number of alarm signals exceeds the threshold for the shock condition, direct the discharge circuit to deliver a shock.
17 . The WCD system of claim 16 , wherein the processor is further configured to:
assign each signal, of the signals, a weight based on a relative reliability of a parameter sensed by each sensor module of the plurality of sensor modules;
adjust the number of alarm signals based on the weight of each signal; and
when the adjusted number of alarm signals exceeds the threshold for the shock condition, direct the discharge circuit to deliver a shock.
18 . The WCD system of claim 12 , wherein the processor is further configured to:
compute a confidence score for each sensor module in the plurality of sensor modules;
when the computed confidence score is less than a confidence score threshold, query the sensor module to determine whether an assurance signal has been received in a first time interval; and
when the assurance signal has not been received, direct the discharge circuit to deliver a shock.
19 . The WCD system of claim 18 , when the computed confidence score is greater than the confidence score threshold, query the sensor module to determine whether an assurance signal has been received in a second time interval; and
when the assurance signal has not been received, direct the discharge circuit to deliver a shock.
20 . The WCD system of claim 12 , wherein communication between at least one of the plurality of sensor modules and the processor is performed wirelessly.