Water resistant wearable medical device

Abstract

An accessory kit for use with a wearable medical device, such as a wearable defibrillator, that includes a control unit and a first plurality of electrodes electrically coupled to the control unit. The first plurality of electrodes includes a first plurality of ECG sensing electrodes and a first plurality of therapy electrodes configured to provide a defibrillating shock to a body of a patient. The accessory kit includes a waterproof enclosure configured to receive the control unit and protect the control unit during operation in a wet environment and a second plurality of electrodes that are electrically coupled to a connector configured to removably and electrically couple to the control unit. The second plurality of electrodes includes a second plurality of ECG sensing electrodes and a second plurality of therapy electrodes configured to provide a defibrillating shock to the body of the patient.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A wearable medical device, comprising:
 a water-resistant harness to be worn by a patient;   a plurality of ECG sensing electrodes disposed on the harness and configured to sense an ECG of the patient;   a plurality of therapy electrodes disposed on the harness and configured to provide at least one defibrillating shock to the body of the patient; and   a control unit, electrically coupled to the plurality of ECG sensing electrodes and the plurality of therapy electrodes, configured to monitor the sensed ECG of the patient, and responsive to detection of cardiac arrhythmia of the patient, to provide at least one defibrillating pulse of energy to at least one of the plurality of therapy electrodes, the control unit being housed in a waterproof case formed from a waterproof material that is sealed to prevent ingress of water during operation of the wearable medical device in a wet environment.   
     
     
         2 . The wearable medical device of  claim 1 , further comprising a connection pod that electrically couples the plurality of ECG sensing electrodes and the plurality of therapy electrodes to the control unit, a body of the connection pod being formed from a waterproof material, wherein any openings in the body of the connection pod are sealed with a waterproof sealant. 
     
     
         3 . The wearable medical device of  claim 2 , wherein the connection pod includes electronic circuitry, and wherein the electronic circuitry is potted in a waterproof potting compound. 
     
     
         4 . The wearable medical device of  claim 2 , wherein the connection pod is electrically connected to the plurality of ECG sensing electrodes and the plurality of therapy electrodes by a removable connector. 
     
     
         5 . The wearable medical device of  claim 4 , wherein the removable connector is waterproof. 
     
     
         6 . The wearable medical device of  claim 2 , wherein the connection pod is electrically connected to the control unit by a removable and waterproof connector. 
     
     
         7 . The wearable medical device of  claim 2 , wherein the connection pod is permanently electrically coupled to the control unit in a waterproof manner. 
     
     
         8 . The wearable medical device of  claim 2 , further comprising a user interface pod configured to wirelessly communicate with the control unit, the user interface pod being housed in a waterproof case that is sealed to prevent the ingress of water during operation of the wearable medical device in a wet environment, wherein the user interface pod includes a speaker that is sealed with a water-resistant and sound permeable material. 
     
     
         9 . The wearable medical device of  claim 2 , further comprising a user interface pod, the user interface pod being housed in a waterproof case that is sealed to prevent the ingress of water during operation of the wearable medical device in a wet environment. 
     
     
         10 . The wearable medical device of  claim 9 , wherein the user interface pod includes a speaker that is sealed with a water-resistant and sound permeable material. 
     
     
         11 . The wearable medical device of  claim 9 , wherein the user interface pod is configured to wirelessly communicate with the control unit. 
     
     
         12 . The wearable medical device of  claim 1 , further comprising a user interface pod, the user interface pod being housed in a waterproof case that is sealed to prevent the ingress of water during operation of the wearable medical device in a wet environment. 
     
     
         13 . The wearable medical device of  claim 12 , wherein the user interface pod includes a speaker that is sealed with a water-resistant and sound permeable material. 
     
     
         14 . The wearable medical device of  claim 12 , wherein the user interface pod is configured to wirelessly communicate with the control unit.