Abstract: A medical device such as an external defibrillator delivers electrical therapy using a special pulse sequence. The special pulse sequence includes a defibrillation shock that is automatically followed by a quick succession of automatic post-shock anti-tachycardia (APSAT) pacing pulses. Because of the pacing pulses, the defibrillation shock can be of lesser energy than an equivalent defibrillation shock of a larger energy. Accordingly, the external defibrillator can be made physically smaller and weigh less, without sacrificing the therapeutic effect of a larger external defibrillator that would deliver a defibrillation shock of higher energy. As such, the defibrillator is easier to configure for transporting, handling, and even wearing.

Abstract: 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”.

Abstract: 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 that can sense when a bystander speaks a preset delaying word like “WAIT” or “NO”, and prevent the discharge.

Abstract: 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 may detect whether it is being touched by a bystander and, if so, prevent the discharge.

Abstract: A wearable defibrillation system includes an output device and a motion sensor. The output device emits a sound or a vibration for the patient, who responds by deliberately tapping the system. The motion sensor registers the tapping, and interprets it as a reply from the patient. The reply can be that the patient is conscious, or convey data that the patient enters by tapping the right number of times, or that the patient wants attention, and so on. Since the patient does not need direct access to the wearable defibrillation system for tapping it, he or she can wear it under their other garments, which helps preserve their dignity and privacy.

Abstract: A Wearable Medical System includes a support structure that is configured to be worn by a person. The WMS also includes an electronics module, a cable assembly, and at least one electrode that can be configured to be coupled to the support structure. The cable assembly includes a base member and a cable coupled to the base member. The support structure can be dimensioned relative to the person's body to be worn with tension, and be resiliently stretched under the tension. The stretching of the support structure can stretch the base member of the cable assembly, thus increasing the effective length of the cable, while reducing or even eliminating slack in the cable.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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 that can sense when a bystander speaks a preset delaying word like “WAIT” or “NO”, and prevent the discharge.

Abstract: 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 may detect whether it is being touched by a bystander and, if so, prevent the discharge.

Abstract: In embodiments, a wearable cardiac defibrillator system includes an energy storage module configured to store a charge. Two electrodes can be configured to be applied to respective locations of a patient. One or more reservoirs can store one or more conductive fluids. Respective fluid deploying mechanisms can be configured to cause the fluids to be released from one or more of the reservoirs, which decreases the impedance at the patient location, and decreases discomfort for the patient. In some embodiments an impedance is sensed between the two electrodes, and the stored charge is delivered when the sensed impedance meets a discharge condition. In some embodiments, different fluids are released for different patient treatments. In some embodiments, fluid release is controlled to be in at least two doses, with an intervening pause.

Abstract: A Wearable Medical System includes a support structure that is configured to be worn by a person. The WMS also includes an electronics module, a cable assembly, and at least one electrode that can be configured to be coupled to the support structure. The cable assembly includes a base member and a cable coupled to the base member. The support structure can be dimensioned relative to the person's body to be worn with tension, and be resiliently stretched under the tension. The stretching of the support structure can stretch the base member of the cable assembly, thus increasing the effective length of the cable, while reducing or even eliminating slack in the cable.

Abstract: A wearable defibrillation system includes an output device and a motion sensor. The output device emits a sound or a vibration for the patient, who responds by deliberately tapping the system. The motion sensor registers the tapping, and interprets it as a reply from the patient. The reply can be that the patient is conscious, or convey data that the patient enters by tapping the right number of times, or that the patient wants attention, and so on. Since the patient does not need direct access to the wearable defibrillation system for tapping it, he or she can wear it under their other garments, which helps preserve their dignity and privacy.

Abstract: RFID-based sensors, RFID readers and software sense a changed condition. In one embodiment, an RFID-based sensor includes a base that may be placed at a location where a condition may change. The sensor includes an RFID tag that is coupled to the base. The sensor also includes a detector that can be electrically coupled to the RFID tag. If the condition changes, an electrical property of the detector also changes, impacting an operation of the RFID tag. The impacted operation can be detected by an RFID reader/interrogator so as to provide a notification. An advantage over the prior art is that the condition change can be sensed wirelessly over a domain that can be laborious or hazardous to access otherwise. Moreover, RFID based sensors can be made by modifying common RFID tags.

Abstract: 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 speaker system and a memory. Prompts have been saved in advance in the patient's own voice, and stored in the memory. In case of an emergency, the prompts may be played by the speaker system in the patient's own voice, and heard by a bystander.

Abstract: In embodiments, a wearable cardiac defibrillator system includes an energy storage module configured to store a charge. Two electrodes can be configured to be applied to respective locations of a patient. One or more reservoirs can store one or more conductive fluids. Respective fluid deploying mechanisms can be configured to cause the fluids to be released from one or more of the reservoirs, which decreases the impedance at the patient location, and decreases discomfort for the patient. In some embodiments an impedance is sensed between the two electrodes, and the stored charge is delivered when the sensed impedance meets a discharge condition. In some embodiments, different fluids are released for different patient treatments. In some embodiments, fluid release is controlled to be in at least two doses, with an intervening pause.

Abstract: 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 speaker system that transmits a sound designed to assist a bystander to perform CPR. Optionally CPR chest compressions received by the patient can be further detected, and feedback can be given. In embodiments, a WCD system may include a user interface that can be controlled to output CPR prompts tailored to a skill level of the bystander.

Abstract: In embodiments, a wearable cardiac defibrillation (WCD) system includes one or more flexible ECG electrodes. The WCD system may have a support structure that is dimensioned to be worn so as to press the electrodes towards the body of the patient. The electrodes may be made from appropriate material so as to flex in order to match a contour of the body of the patient. An advantage over the prior art is that the flexible electrode may make better electrical contact with the patient's skin, and therefore provide a better ECG signal for the WCD system to perform its diagnosis.

Abstract: RFID-based sensors, RFID readers and software sense a changed condition. In one embodiment, an RFID-based sensor includes a base that may be placed at a location where a condition may change. The sensor includes an RFID tag that is coupled to the base. The sensor also includes a detector that can be electrically coupled to the RFID tag. If the condition changes, an electrical property of the detector also changes, impacting an operation of the RFID tag. The impacted operation can be detected by an RFID reader/interrogator so as to provide a notification. An advantage over the prior art is that the condition change can be sensed wirelessly over a domain that can be laborious or hazardous to access otherwise. Moreover, RFID based sensors can be made by modifying common RFID tags.

Abstract: Patient electrodes, patient monitors, defibrillators, wearable defibrillators, software and methods may warn when an electrode stops being fully attached to the patient's skin. A patient electrode includes a pad for attaching to the skin of a patient, a lead coupled to the pad, and a contact detector that can change state, when the pad does not contact fully the skin of the patient. When the detector changes state, an output device may emit an alert, for notifying a rescuer or even the patient.

Abstract: Patient electrodes, patient monitors, defibrillators, wearable defibrillators, software and methods may warn when an electrode stops being fully attached to the patient's skin. A patient electrode includes a pad for attaching to the skin of a patient, a lead coupled to the pad, and a contact detector that can change state, when the pad does not contact fully the skin of the patient. When the detector changes state, an output device may emit an alert, for notifying a rescuer or even the patient.