Controlling functions of wearable cardiac defibrillation system
A Wearable Cardiac Defibrillator (WCD) system is configured to be worn by a patient who carries a mobile communication device. The mobile communication device has a user interface that is configured to enable the patient to enter wireless inputs. The WCD system includes a communication module that is configured to establish a local comlink with the mobile communication device. The WCD system also includes a tethered action unit that has a user interface configured to enable the patient to enter action inputs. The WCD system can perform some of its functions in response to the action inputs or to the wireless inputs. Since the wireless inputs can be provided from the mobile communication device instead of the action unit, the patient is less likely to attract attention when entering them, and thus exhibit better compliance.
1 . A wearable medical device system, comprising:
a support structure configured to be worn by a patient;
an energy storage device configured to store an electrical charge;
a discharge circuit coupled to the energy storage device;
a plurality of electrodes coupled to the support structure and the discharge circuit, the plurality of electrodes including at least one electrode configured to sense electrocardiogram (ECG) signals and at least one electrode to provide the stored electrical charge to the patient from the energy storage device via the discharge circuit;
a communication module configured to be coupled to the support structure;
a mobile device communicably coupled to the communication module by a communication link; and
one or more processors coupled to the discharge circuit and the communication module, wherein while the patient is wearing the support structure, the one or more processors are configured to:
determine, using the sensed ECG signals, whether the patient has a shockable arrhythmia,
responsive to a determination that the patient has a shockable arrhythmia, control the discharge circuit to discharge the stored electrical charge through at least a subset of the plurality of electrodes, and
transmit defibrillation data to the mobile device,
wherein the defibrillation data includes the sensed ECG signals and therapy attempted information,
wherein the mobile device includes a location sensor to determine a location of the patient, and the mobile device is configured to transmit the location of the patient, determined by the location sensor of the mobile device, to a remote device for medical assistance,
wherein the mobile device is configured to perform pausing of one or more operations at a particular time, and wherein the particular time corresponds to activation of a snooze functionality that is triggered prior to temporary removal of the wearable medical device system, the one or more operations comprising transmitting and/or receiving data.
2 . The wearable medical device system of claim 1 , wherein:
the defibrillation data is transmitted to the remote device via the mobile device.
3 . The wearable medical device system of claim 1 , wherein:
the one or more processors are configured to transmit the defibrillation data to the mobile device to enable the mobile device to provide the defibrillation data to an Emergency Medical Service (EMS) facility when the remote device is at a location other than the EMS facility.
4 . The wearable medical device system of claim 1 , wherein:
at least a portion of the support structure is configured to be coupled to the patient during use with an adhesive.
5 . The wearable medical device system of claim 1 , wherein:
the mobile device comprises a smartphone.
6 . The wearable medical device system of claim 1 , wherein:
the defibrillation data is transmitted to the remote device located at a remote assistance center, an Emergency Medical Service (EMS) facility, or a remote party.
7 . The wearable medical device system of claim 1 , wherein:
the shockable arrhythmia comprises ventricular fibrillation.
8 . The wearable medical device system of claim 1 , wherein:
the shockable arrhythmia comprises ventricular tachycardia.
9 . The wearable medical device system of claim 1 , wherein the location of the patient is communicated to emergency medical services (EMS).
10 . The wearable medical device system of claim 1 , wherein
the communication link is utilized by a remote caregiver to provide the medical assistance to the patient.
11 . The wearable medical device system of claim 1 , wherein the one or more operations comprise transmitting and/or receiving the location of the patient.
12 . The wearable medical device system of claim 1 , wherein the one or more operations comprise transmitting and/or receiving the defibrillation data.
13 . A wearable medical device system, comprising:
a support structure configured to be worn by a patient, wherein at least a portion of the support structure is configured to be coupled to the patient during use with an adhesive;
an energy storage device configured to store an electrical charge;
a discharge circuit coupled to the energy storage device;
a plurality of electrodes coupled to the support structure and the discharge circuit, the plurality of electrodes including at least one electrode configured to sense electrocardiogram (ECG) signals and at least one electrode to provide the stored electrical charge to the patient from the energy storage device via the discharge circuit;
a communication module configured to be coupled to the support structure;
a mobile device communicably coupled to the communication module by a communication link; and
one or more processors coupled to the discharge circuit and the communication module, wherein while the patient is wearing the support structure, the one or more processors are configured to:
determine, using the sensed ECG signals, whether the patient has a shockable arrhythmia,
responsive to a determination that the patient has a shockable arrhythmia, control the discharge circuit to discharge the stored electrical charge through at least a subset of the plurality of electrodes, and
transmit defibrillation data to the mobile device,
wherein the defibrillation data includes the sensed ECG signals and therapy attempted information,
wherein the mobile device includes a location sensor to determine a location of the patient, and the mobile device is configured to transmit the location of the patient, determined by the location sensor of the mobile device, to a remote device for medical assistance,
wherein the mobile device is configured to perform pausing of one or more operations at a particular time, wherein the particular time corresponds to activation of a snooze functionality that is triggered prior to temporary removal of the wearable medical device system, the one or more operations comprising transmitting and/or receiving data.
14 . The wearable medical device system of claim 13 , wherein:
at least one of the plurality of electrodes is coupled with the one or more processors via a lead.
15 . The wearable medical device system of claim 13 , wherein:
at least one of the plurality of electrodes is coupled with the discharge circuit via a lead.
16 . The wearable medical device system of claim 13 , wherein:
the one or more processors are configured to transmit the defibrillation data to the mobile device to enable the mobile device to provide the defibrillation data to an Emergency Medical Service (EMS) facility when the remote device is at a location other than the EMS facility.
17 . The wearable medical device system of claim 13 , wherein:
the mobile device comprises a smartphone.
18 . The wearable medical device system of claim 13 , wherein:
the defibrillation data is transmitted to the remote device located at a remote assistance center, an Emergency Medical Service (EMS) facility, or a remote party.
19 . The wearable medical device system of claim 13 , wherein:
the shockable arrhythmia comprises ventricular fibrillation.
20 . The wearable medical device system of claim 13 , wherein:
the shockable arrhythmia comprises ventricular tachycardia.