Automatic fibrillation detector and defibrillator apparatus and method
US5366486A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 9, 1993 |
| Grant date | Nov 22, 1994 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 9, 2013 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61N1/395
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The present invention involves an apparatus and method for detecting and treating fibrillation in the heart. Electrodes sense electrical activity in two distinct locations of the heart. The electrocardiac activations are monitored and the interval between activations at the two locations is measured and checked for variation. Upon detection of significant variation in the length of the intervals, the fibrillation condition is determined and a defibrillator is activated, so that a defibrillating shock may be delivered to the heart. For atrial fibrillation, the first defibrillating shock is relatively low and is increased until the fibrillation is no longer detected.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.