Method and apparatus for controlling fibrillation or tachycardia
US5224476A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 24, 1992 |
| Grant date | Jul 6, 1993 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 24, 2012 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61N1/3906
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A method and apparatus for delivering a waveform, including a predetermined series of electrical pulses, to the heart by electrodes positioned adjacent the heart. In a first embodiment of the invention, a series of four electrical pulses are delivered from an electrical pulse generator including a charged storage capacitor through two pairs of electrodes and define a waveform comprising two interleaved biphasic signals. The series of electrical pulses have a low defibrillation threshold and require a relatively small amount of energy. In a second embodiment of the invention, a triphasic waveform is applied to the heart through four electrodes. One of the pulses in the triphasic waveform is generated by all four electrodes and in a polarity opposite that of the other two pulses. The pulse generated by all four electrodes may be applied first, second, or third in the series of electrical pulses.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.