Devices, systems, and methods are disclosed that identify a type of cable coupled to a receptacle of a defibrillator and that activate one or both of an ECG monitoring module and an energy storage circuit based at least in part on the identified cable type. The cable-type identification may allow a defibrillator to, for example, operate in either or both of an ECG monitoring mode and/or a therapy mode, based on the type of cable that is coupled to the defibrillator. The disclosed devices, systems, and methods can monitor an ECG of a patient and deliver defibrillation therapy to the patient, depending on the type of cable coupled to the defibrillator and/or the type of detected ECG signal of the patient.

A portable medical device having a reliable readiness indicator. Embodiments provide a reliable readiness indicator with an active clasp that holds the garment in place. The clasp is enabled by the defibrillator when it is ready for use. If the clasp is not enabled the garment cannot be worn comfortably, and it becomes apparent to the patient that steps need to be taken to make the device ready for use.

Components of wearable cardiac defibrillator (WCD) systems, software, and methods are provided. A WCD system includes a support structure that a patient can wear and electrodes that can capture at least two of the patient's ECG signals. A component includes an energy storage module that can store an electrical charge, a discharge circuit, and a processor that can make a shock/no shock determination, and cause the discharge circuit to discharge the stored charge, if the determination is to shock. In some embodiments, the processor discards at least one of the ECG signals prior to making the shock/no shock determination. The determination can be made from the remaining one or more ECG signals. In some embodiments, the processor makes an aggregate shock/no shock determination from two or more of the ECG signals.

A method and apparatus for treating a cardiac condition in a human or animal patient comprises contacting an area of skin spanning the chest area of the patient with at least two patches or electrode paddles that apply low voltages and currents in a rotational manner to pre-stimulate that area, followed by applying a high voltage shock in rapid succession through the patient's heart through at least two electrode pad patches or paddles, wherein an amplifier-based external defibrillation cardioversion system is used. Also, an external pacing system is employed using ascending ramp or any arbitrary ascending or level waveform for transcutaneous pacing which employ a constant current delivery mode. Treatable conditions include atrial fibrillation (AF), atrial tachycardia (AT), ventricular fibrillation (VF), and ventricular tachycardia (VT).

A wearable patch-type automatic defibrillator attachable to a region of a patient near the patient's heart includes a battery which stores electrical energy for defibrillation, a controller which controls the battery, electrocardiogram (ECG) electrodes, and defibrillation electrodes. The controller analyzes ECG signals of the patient received through the ECG electrodes, and automatically provides the patient with the electrical energy stored in the battery through the defibrillation electrodes when defibrillation is needed according to a result of the analysis.

An automated resuscitation system is provided, which can improve the outcome of patients suffering ventricular fibrillation or the ventricular tachycardia variants of cardiac arrest. This outcome can be achieved by a device that integrates automatic mechanical or pneumatic capability with electrical countershock capability such that the probability of defibrillation or cardioversion with return of spontaneous circulation is increased.

This disclosure relates generally to a computational model for personalizing defibrillation mechanism of wearable cardiac defibrillator (WCD). Cardiac defibrillators are lifesaving therapeutic device with potentially harming capacity if not tuned properly. Hence creation of a personalized energy distribution model based on subject's anatomy, rather than a ‘one size fits all’ approach is preferred. The disclosed model compares the efficiency of standard and nonstandard WCD electrode placement in the torso vest, demonstrating significant differences in defibrillation efficacy associated with different strategies. A new measure is presented for performing such a comparison which combines the DFT and extent of myocardial damage.

A wearable medical treatment device for monitoring a patient's ECG and treating a cardiac condition is disclosed. The device includes a patient vest portion having cardiac sensing electrodes to obtain an ECG signal of a patient, therapy electrodes for external placement proximate to skin of the patient for delivering electrotherapy to treat the cardiac condition, and, a monitor coupled to the cardiac sensing electrodes and the therapy electrodes via at least one cable. The monitor includes a system computer disposed in the monitor. The system computer is configured to receive the ECG signals of the patient and to execute at least one arrhythmia detection algorithm to determine whether the patient is experiencing a cardiac condition in need of treatment, and a mechanical shock detector disposed on the monitor and configured to detect at least one of a force or acceleration indicative of a mechanical shock to the monitor.

A method of determining responsiveness of a patient wearing a wearable defibrillator configured to deliver therapy to the patient includes sensing an electrocardiogram signal of the patient wearing the wearable defibrillator via a plurality of ECG sensing electrodes, and determining whether a defibrillation treatment should be provided to the patient via at least one treatment electrode. The method includes causing a user interface to provide a patient prompt from the wearable defibrillator responsive to determining that the defibrillation treatment should be provided to the patient. The method includes receiving a first signal indicative of a first patient response within a time interval, receiving a second signal indicative of a second patient response within the time interval, and withholding the defibrillation treatment to the patient via the at least one treatment electrode in response to receiving both the first signal and the second signal within the time interval.

In embodiments, a wearable cardioverter defibrillator (WCD) system is configured to be worn by an ambulatory patient. In the event that the WCD system determines that defibrillation is needed, it delivers a defibrillation shock. To diminish the possibility that the patient will be shocked due to a false positive detection, the WCD system alerts a patient that a defibrillation shock is imminent, and invites them to react to avert it. Alerting may be by a very weak shock, or jolt. Alerting by a jolt can be a last resort warning. An advantage can be that the patient has a higher chance of being alerted by the jolt, especially in the event that the patient is not reacting to other human-perceptible alerts, such as when the patient is riding a motorcycle.