Method of defibrillating a heart
First Claim
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1. A method of applying electrical energy to a human heart, comprising:
- implanting a first electrode having a first terminal within the ventricle of said heart;
implanting a second electrode adjacent the exterior of said heart;
implanting a third electrode remote from said heart;
electrically interconnecting said second and third electrodes, forming an electrode pair having a second terminal; and
discharging a capacitor between aid first and second terminals for a first predetermined time period, followed by reversing the polarity of said capacitor with respect to said first and second terminals, then discharging said capacitor between said first and second terminals for a second predetermined time period, forming an asymmetrical biphasic pulse waveform.
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Abstract
A method of terminating ventricular fibrillation by the delivery of an asymmetric biphasic current pulse to three separate electrodes. A first catheter mounted electrode is located in the apex of the right ventricle (RV). A second electrode carried on the same catheter is located outside the atrium preferably in the superior vena cava (SV). A third plate electrode is located subcutaneously outside the chest cavity. Preferably, the SVC electrode and the subcutaneous plate electrode are electrically interconnected and an asymmetrical biphasic current pulse is applied between this electrode pair and the RV electrode to defibrillate the heart.
439 Citations
12 Claims
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1. A method of applying electrical energy to a human heart, comprising:
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implanting a first electrode having a first terminal within the ventricle of said heart; implanting a second electrode adjacent the exterior of said heart; implanting a third electrode remote from said heart; electrically interconnecting said second and third electrodes, forming an electrode pair having a second terminal; and discharging a capacitor between aid first and second terminals for a first predetermined time period, followed by reversing the polarity of said capacitor with respect to said first and second terminals, then discharging said capacitor between said first and second terminals for a second predetermined time period, forming an asymmetrical biphasic pulse waveform. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 9)
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2. A method of applying electrical energy to a human heart, comprising:
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positioning multiple electrodes about said heart; interconnecting said electrodes to crate a two terminal network, comprising a first and second terminal; and discharging a capacitor between said first and second terminals for a first predetermined time period, followed by reversing the polarity of said capacitor with respect to said first and second terminals, then discharging said capacitor between said first and second terminals for a second predetermined time period, forming an asymmetrical biphasic pulse waveform.
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3. A method of applying electrical energy to a human heart, comprising:
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positioning at least three electrodes around said heart; interconnecting said electrodes to create a two terminal network, comprising a first and second terminal; and discharging a capacitor between said first and second terminals for a first predetermined time period, followed by reversing the polarity of said capacitor with respect to said first and second terminals, then discharging said capacitor between said first and second terminals for a second predetermined time period, forming an asymmetrical biphasic pulse waveform. - View Dependent Claims (4)
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8. Apparatus for generating and delivering biphasic electrical shocks to the heart of a patient to restore normal cardiac rhythm comprising:
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means for positioning at least three implantable electrodes spaced in and around said heart; means for interconnecting said electrodes into a two terminal network comprising first and second electrode terminals; and pulse generator means for generating a biphasic shock across said first and second electrode terminals further comprising; capacitor storage means having first and second output terminals; means for charging said capacitor storage means to a predetermined voltage; and means for successively discharging said capacitor storage means between said first and second electrode terminals for first and second time periods comprising means for coupling said first and second output terminals to said first and second electrode terminals, respectively, during said first time period and to said second and first electrode terminals, respectively, during said second time period, thereby applying a biphasic shock through said electrodes to said heart. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12)
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Specification