Self-diagnostics digitally controlled pacemaker/defibrillators a design plan for incorporating diagnostics and digital control in the schema of a pacemaker/defibrillator design

Abstract

This research addresses the need for a pacemaker/defibrillator that could perform an automatic system self-diagnostics check to assure operational functionality and give doctors a chance to assess a patient's status in the event they are experiencing complications, as pointed out in an article in the journal Health Scout, which stated that 'St. Jude Medical Inc., the nation's second-largest pacemaker manufacturer, has warned doctors that at least 90 of its pacemakers being used by heart patients could stop emitting the electrical signal that regulates heartbeat'. The proposed functionality would also serve the military in determining the whereabouts or state of being of an individual on the battlefield. This thesis investigates the use of Unified Modeling Language (UML) Diagrams, Object-Oriented Analysis and Design, and Structured Query Language (SQL) to develop the high level architecture of a system to store and retrieve digital/wireless communication information from a pacemaker/defibrillator, or other device, and to alert medical personnel when a person is experiencing problems with their health. It presents the requirements and architectural design of the Self-Diagnostics Digitally Controlled Pacemaker/Defibrillator Device. Applications of the SDDCPDD design concept for military missions are explored.