Patent · US Expired

Portable device for sensing cardiac function and automatically delivering electrical therapy

US5078134A · kind A · utility

744Cited by
14References
52Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMay 29, 1990
Grant dateJan 7, 1992
Priority date
Expiry dateMay 29, 2010

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA61N1/0484
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A patient-worn harness or vest protects at-risk patients from the possibly fatal results of heart arrhythmias. The harness or vest incorporates sensing electrodes for monitoring heart condition, a microprocessor and memory for processing signals received from the sending electrodes and comparing same with patient's data, and skin-contacting pulsing electrodes for applying electrical pulses to the patient's chest wall responsive to signals received from the microprocessor. The electrodes include automatic tightening and electrolyte gel release mechanisms for reducing impedance at the electrode-skin interface. A servicing subsystem is provided for the harness or vest and may be used to interface with the harness or vest and may be used to interface with the harness or vest and also to communicate with remote health care personnel through a suitable telephone link.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.