Defibrillation electrode system having smooth current distribution with floating electrode
US5314459A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 19, 1991 |
| Grant date | May 24, 1994 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 19, 2011 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61N1/0563
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A defibrillation electrode for implantation in the region of the heart and for connection to a defibrillation system. The electrode comprises multiple independent conductive segments spaced apart for defining a discharge surface of the electrode. In one embodiment, the electrode comprises a plurality of concentric conductive rings electrically connected together. To smooth the current distribution, the interface impedance of the inner conductive segments is made lower than that of the outer conductive segments. In one embodiment, the impedance is determined by the choice of the conductive material. In another embodiment, the impedance is determined by texturing the surface of the conductive segments. In yet another embodiment, the impedance is determined by the ratio of conductive edges to surface of the conductive segment. The discharge surface region can also take the form of a portion of a cardiac catheter. Other ways to control the current distribution include the use of a floating conductive segment, and the use of discrete segments which receive defibrillating waveforms of different amplitudes and isolating the conductive segments to deliver higher amplitude waveforms to the …
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.