Electrotherapy method and apparatus
DC CAFCFirst Claim
1. A method for applying electrotherapy to a patient through electrodes connected to an energy source, the method comprising the following steps:
- charging the energy source to an initial level;
discharging the energy source across the electrodes to deliver electrical energy to the patient in a multiphasic waveform;
monitoring a patient-dependent electrical parameter during the discharging step;
shaping the waveform of the delivered electrical energy based on a value of the monitored electrical parameter, wherein the relative duration of the phases of the multiphasic waveform is dependent on the value of the monitored electrical parameter.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An electrotherapy method and apparatus for delivering a multiphasic waveform from an energy source to a patient. The preferred embodiment of the method comprises the steps of charging the energy source to an initial level; discharging the energy source across the electrodes to deliver electrical energy to the patient in a multiphasic waveform; monitoring a patient-dependent electrical parameter during the discharging step; shaping the waveform of the delivered electrical energy based on a value of the monitored electrical parameter, wherein the relative duration of the phases of the multiphasic waveform is dependent on the value of the monitored electrical parameter. The preferred apparatus comprises an energy source; two electrodes adapted to make electrical contact with a patient; a connecting mechanism forming an electrical circuit with the energy source and the electrodes when the electrodes are attached to a patient; and a controller operating the connecting mechanism to deliver electrical energy from the energy source to the electrodes in a multiphasic waveform the relative phase durations of which are based on an electrical parameter monitored during delivery of the electrical energy. The preferred defibrillator apparatus weighs less than 4 pounds and has a volume less than 150 cubic inches, and most preferably, weighs approximately three pounds or less and has a volume of approximately 141 cu. in.
326 Citations
59 Claims
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1. A method for applying electrotherapy to a patient through electrodes connected to an energy source, the method comprising the following steps:
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charging the energy source to an initial level; discharging the energy source across the electrodes to deliver electrical energy to the patient in a multiphasic waveform; monitoring a patient-dependent electrical parameter during the discharging step; shaping the waveform of the delivered electrical energy based on a value of the monitored electrical parameter, wherein the relative duration of the phases of the multiphasic waveform is dependent on the value of the monitored electrical parameter. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method for applying electrotherapy to a patient through electrodes connected to an energy source, the method comprising the following steps:
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charging the energy source to an initial level; discharging the energy source across the electrodes to deliver electrical energy to the patient in a truncated exponential biphasic waveform; monitoring an electrical parameter during the discharging step; adjusting the tilt of the waveform based on the value of the monitored electrical parameter, the adjusting step comprising controlling the duration of a waveform phase based on a value of the electrical parameter wherein the relative duration of the phases of the waveform is dependent on the value of the monitored electrical parameter.
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16. An apparatus for administering electrotherapy to a patient'"'"'s heart through electrodes external to the patient comprising:
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an energy source; two electrodes adapted to make electrical contact with a patient; a connecting mechanism forming an electrical circuit with the energy source and the electrodes when the electrodes are attached to a patient;
an electrical parameter monitor; anda controller operating the connecting mechanism to deliver electrical energy from the energy source to the electrodes in a truncated exponential multiphasic waveform the relative phase durations of which are based on an electrical parameter monitored during delivery of the electrical energy. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. An external defibrillator comprising:
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an energy source; two electrodes adapted to make electrical contact with the exterior of a patient; a connecting mechanism forming an electrical circuit with the energy source and the electrodes when the electrodes are attached to a patient; a controller operating the connecting mechanism to deliver electrical energy from the energy source to the electrodes; and a housing containing at least the energy source, the connecting mechanism and the controller, the housing having a volume less than 150 cubic inches. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35)
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36. An external defibrillator comprising:
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an energy source; two electrodes adapted to make electrical contact with the exterior of a patient; a connecting mechanism forming an electrical circuit with the energy source and the electrodes when the electrodes are attached to a patient; a controller operating the connecting mechanism to deliver electrical energy from the energy source to the electrodes; the defibrillator having a weight less than four pounds. - View Dependent Claims (37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45)
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46. A method for applying electrotherapy to a patient from an energy source external to the patient, the method comprising the following steps:
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charging the energy source to an initial level; discharging the energy source to deliver electrical energy to the patient in a multiphasic waveform; determining the time during which a predetermined amount of charge is delivered to the patient; shaping the waveform of the delivered electrical energy based on the value of the determined time, wherein the relative duration of the phases of the multiphasic waveform is dependent on the value of the determined time.
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47. A method for applying electrotherapy to a patient through electrodes connected to an energy source, the method comprising the following steps:
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charging the energy source to an initial level; maintaining the charge of the energy source at the initial level; determining the need to apply a shock to a patient; charging the energy source to a second level greater than the initial level; discharging the energy source across the electrodes to deliver electrical energy to the patient. - View Dependent Claims (48, 49, 50)
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51. A method for applying electrotherapy to a patient through electrodes connected to an energy source, the method comprising the following steps:
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charging the energy source to an initial level; discharging the energy source across the electrodes to deliver electrical energy to the patient in a waveform, the patient and an additional impedance forming an electrical circuit with the energy source; monitoring an electrical parameter during the discharging step; removing the additional impedance from the electrical circuit if the electrical parameter is within a defined range prior to the end of the discharging step. - View Dependent Claims (52)
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53. A method for applying electrotherapy to a patient comprising the following steps:
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discharging an energy source across electrodes to deliver a waveform of electrical energy to the patient; monitoring a patient-dependent electrical parameter during the discharge step; ceasing the monitoring step prior to the end of the discharge step; adjusting a waveform discharge parameter based on a value of the monitored parameter. - View Dependent Claims (54, 55, 56, 57)
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58. A method for applying electrotherapy to a patient through electrodes attached to an energy source, the method comprising the following steps:
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charging the energy source to an initial level prior to detecting a need to apply a shock to a patient; determining the need to apply a shock to a patient; charging the energy source to a second level greater than the initial level; discharging the energy source across the electrodes to deliver electrical energy to the patient in a truncated exponential biphasic waveform. - View Dependent Claims (59)
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Specification