WEARABLE DEVICES
Wearable devices are provided herein including wearable defibrillators, wearable devices for diagnosing symptoms associated with sleep apnea, and wearable devices for diagnosing symptoms associated with heart failure. The wearable external defibrillators can include a plurality of ECG sensing electrodes and a first defibrillator electrode pad and a second defibrillator electrode pad. The ECG sensing electrodes and the defibrillator electrode pads are configured for long term wear. Methods are also provided for using the wearable external defibrillators to analyze cardiac signals of the wearer and to provide an electrical shock if a treatable arrhythmia is detected. Methods are also disclosed for refurbishing wearable defibrillators. Methods of using wearable devices for diagnosing symptoms associated with sleep apnea and for diagnosing symptoms associated with heart failure are also provided.
1 . A wearable external defibrillator comprising:
a first patient engagement substrate comprising an adhesive, a first defibrillator electrode pad, a first fluid transport element configured to transport fluid away from the skin to allow the wearable external defibrillator to be worn continuously, and a first vapor permeable layer;
a second patient engagement substrate comprising a second defibrillator electrode pad, a second adhesive, a second fluid transport element configured to transport fluid away from the skin to allow the wearable external defibrillator to be worn continuously, and a second vapor permeable layer;
an energy source;
one or more capacitors in electrical communication with the energy source and the first defibrillator electrode pad and the second defibrillator electrode pad;
a controller configured to detect the cardiac signal with the two or more sensing electrodes and to charge the one or more capacitors with the energy source followed by discharging the one or more capacitors to deliver a therapeutic shock through the first defibrillator electrode pad and the second defibrillator electrode pad to the patient while the first and second patient engagement substrates are engaged with the patient;
a plurality of housings supported by the first patient engagement, the plurality of housings each configured to reversibly receive and support one or more of the energy source, the one or more capacitors, and the controller; and
a plurality of electrical connectors, each configured to reversibly electrically engage with one or more of the energy source, the one or more capacitors, and the controller.