Automatic cardioverting circuit
USRE30372E · kind E · reissue
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 1, 1978 |
| Grant date | Aug 19, 1980 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 1, 1998 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC —)General
Abstract
Pulse generating apparatus which provides electrical heart-stimulating pulses only in the absence of normal heart activity. If the patient's heart has developed a life threatening arrhythmic condition the inventive apparatus automatically applies an electrical shock to the heart having sufficient magnitude to restore normal heart activity. The inventive apparatus features a redundant heartbeat sensing system which monitors two dynamic characteristics of heart function, for example, heart contraction and EKG. An electrical heart stimulating pulse is delivered to the patient's heart following the elapse of a specified period of time since the sensing of a dynamic characteristic indicative of a normal functional heart. Sensing control is automatically regained following successful heart stimulation, thereby inhibiting the application of further electrical pulses. In the event that the patient's heart fails to resume normal heartbeat action, the inventive apparatus will continue delivering intermittant shocks--a lower energy pulse is applied first followed by higher energy pulses. .Iadd.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.