A wearable cardiac defibrillator (WCD) system may include a support structure that a patient can wear, an energy storage module that can store an electrical charge, and a discharge circuit that can discharge the electrical charge through the patient so as to shock him or her, while the patient is wearing the support structure. Embodiments may actively take into account bystanders, both to protect them from an inadvertent shock, and also to enlist their help. In some embodiments the WCD system includes a microphone. The WCD system might be ready to deliver a shock, but may first wait before doing so until it hears from a bystander a preset ready word, such as: CLEAR.

An electrode for use with a therapeutic current delivery system can include a flexible, water vapor-permeable, conductive adhesive material; a current dispersing element in contact with the conductive adhesive material; and a non-conductive, flexible, water vapor-permeable, electrically-insulating top layer provided in contact with the current dispersing element. The current dispersing element can be conductive at least laterally along a plane of the electrode. The conductive adhesive material can be conductive in a direction substantially orthogonal to the plane of the electrode and semi-conductive in a direction substantially lateral to the plane of the electrode.

A wearable cardioverter defibrillator (WCD) comprises a plurality of electrocardiography (ECG) electrodes. An episode is opened responsive to a string of consecutive segments meeting one or more shock criteria, and a shockable rhythm is confirmed for the episode responsive to a subsequent string of consecutive segments meeting one or more confirmation criteria.

A completely de-energizable defibrillator is provided, allowing the electrical components of the defibrillator to be electrically unbiased while the defibrillator is not in use. The de-energizing of the defibrillator can be accomplished by separating the battery from the rest of the defibrillator circuitry with an electromechanical component, such as a power switch like a magnetically-triggered reed switch or a mechanically-triggered switch. The de-energizing of the defibrillator can also be accomplished by including in the defibrillator a removable piece of insulating material between the battery and the circuitry. The de-energizing of the defibrillator can also be accomplished by a change in configuration or position of the moveable components of the AED. The preparation of the defibrillator for use triggers the circuitry to become energized. Additionally, the microcontroller unit of the AED includes features to prevent computational errors due to cosmic radiation, including lockstep processors and error detection code.

In one embodiment, a defibrillation assembly energizable through case opening is provided. The defibrillation assembly includes an a magnetically triggered reed switch; a magnet positioned to keep the switch in an open position; an energy storage element that supplies power to the magnetically triggered reed switch; circuitry configured to generate a defibrillation waveform, wherein the circuitry is isolated from the energy storage element by the magnetically triggered reed switch; and a case within which at least a portion of the circuitry is located and a comprising a portion connected to the magnet by a mechanical interconnect, wherein an opening of the case displaces the connected case portion, which displaces the magnet far enough to transition the magnetically triggered reed switch into a closed position and causes the power to flow to the circuitry through the magnetically triggered reed switch.

In one embodiment, a defibrillation assembly energizable through electrode enclosure manipulation is provided. The defibrillation assembly includes a magnetically triggered reed switch; an energy storage element that supplies power to the magnetically triggered reed switch; circuitry configured to generate a defibrillation waveform, wherein the circuitry is isolated from the energy storage element by the electromechanical component; and a case within which at least a portion of the housing is located and comprising an electrode enclosure within which a magnet is positioned that keeps the magnetically triggered reed switch in an open position, wherein an opening of the case that comprises removal of the magnet from the position causes the magnetically triggered reed switch to switch into a closed position and for the power to flow to the circuitry through the magnetically triggered reed switch.

In one embodiment, a defibrillation assembly energizable through pad removal is provided. The defibrillation assembly includes a mechanical switch that is in an open position when the circuitry is not in use; an energy storage element that supplies power to the mechanical switch; circuitry configured to generate a defibrillation waveform, wherein the circuitry is isolated from the energy storage element by the mechanical switch; andelectrode pads through which the defibrillation waveform is delivered to a patient, wherein a removal of at least one of the electrode pads from an initial position to a further position causes the power to flow to the circuitry through the mechanical switch.

In one embodiment, a defibrillation assembly energizable through case opening is provided. The defibrillation assembly includes a mechanical switch; an energy storage element that supplies power to the mechanical switch; circuitry configured to generate a defibrillation waveform, wherein the circuitry is isolated from the energy storage element by the mechanical switch; a case within which at least a portion of the circuitry is located, wherein an opening of the case causes the power to flow to the circuitry through the mechanical switch.

In one embodiment, a defibrillation assembly energizable through magnet removal is provided. The defibrillation assembly includes an a magnetically triggered reed switch; an energy storage element that supplies power to the magnetically triggered reed switch; circuitry configured to generate a defibrillation waveform, wherein the circuitry is isolated from the energy storage element by the electromechanical component; a case within which at least a portion of the circuitry is located and comprising a printed circuit board (PCBA) enclosure within which a magnet is positioned that keeps the magnetically triggered reed switch in an open position, wherein an opening of the case that comprises removal of the magnet from the position causes the magnetically triggered reed switch to switch into a closed position and for the power to flow to the circuitry through the magnetically triggered reed switch.

A serviceable wearable cardiac treatment device for continuous extended use by an ambulatory patient includes a garment and a device controller. The garment is configured to dispose therein a plurality of ECG sensing and therapy electrodes. The device controller is configured to be in separable electrical communication with the plurality of ECG sensing and therapy electrodes. The device controller includes an impact-resistant energy core, including a frame and capacitor(s) permanently bonded to the frame. The device controller includes a critical function circuit board, including critical function processor(s) and circuitry, and a non-critical function circuit board, including non-critical function processor(s) and circuitry. The critical function circuit board is in electrical communication with the capacitor(s) and configured to control critical operations of the device controller regardless of operability of the non-critical function circuit board. The non-critical function circuit board is configured to control non-critical operations of the device controller.