Implantable cardioverter defibrillator having a smaller mass
US5957956A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 3, 1997 |
| Grant date | Sep 28, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 3, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01M16/00
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A capacitor-discharge implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) has a relatively smaller mass of less than about 120 grams. The smaller mass of the ICD is achieved by selecting and arranging the internal components of the ICD to deliver a maximum defibrillation countershock optimized in terms of a minimum physiologically effective current (I.sub.pe), rather than a minimum defibrillation threshold energy (DFT). As a result of the optimization in terms of a minimum effective current I.sub.pe, there is a significant decrease in the maximum electrical charge energy (E.sub.c) that must be stored by the capacitor of the ICD to less than about 30 Joules, even though a higher safety margin is provided for by the device. Due to this decrease in the maximum E.sub.c, as well as corollary decreases in the effective capacitance value required for the capacitor and the net energy storage required of the battery, the overall displacement volume of the ICD is reduced to the point where subcutaneous implantation of the device in the pectoral region of human patients is practical. The size of the capacitor is reduced because the effective capacitance required can be less than about 125 .mu.F. By …
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.