External atrial defibrillator and method for personal termination of atrial fibrillation
US7085601B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 17, 1999 |
| Grant date | Aug 1, 2006 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 26, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61N1/3987
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An atrial defibrillator includes a portable, non-implantable housing, a pair of defibrillator pads, a shock generator, and an analyzer. The pads are applied to the outside of a patient's body, and the shock generator delivers a shock to the patient via the pads. The analyzer receives a cardiac signal from the patient, determines from the signal whether the patient is experiencing atrial fibrillation, and enables the shock generator if the patient is experiencing atrial fibrillation. Unlike conventional external atrial defibrillators, such an atrial defibrillator can be used by a layperson in the comfort of a patient's own home. Furthermore, such a defibrillator does not cause the surgery-related problems associated with implantable atrial defibrillators. Moreover, because the patient can choose when to receive a shock, such a defibrillator is less likely to surprise and embarrass the patient than automatic implantable defibrillators are.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.