Defibrillation electrode and method for employing gatling discharge defibrillation

Claim 2

A defibriliation system for treating arrhythmias of the human hear with at least two implantable defibrillation electrodes for placement on, about, or in the heart for generating an electric field in the heart, the system comprising: an implantable defibrillation electrode having a discharge surface region adapted for facing and stimulating the heart, said discharge surface region comprising a plurality and a predetermined number of discrete conductive segments; pulse generating means for generating a series of discrete electrical pulse segments for supplying electrical energy to said discharge surface region; and directing means for directing select ones of said discrete electrical pulse segments to a particular one or ones of said discrete conductive segments so that only said particular one or ones and less than all of said predetermined number of said discrete conductive segments receive electrical energy from said pulse generating means at any instant of time.

Claim 3

The defibrillation system of claim 1, wherein said discrete conductive segments comprise stacked layers of discrete conductive mesh screens.

Claim 4

The defibrillation system of claim 1, wherein said discrete conductive segments comprise electrically conductive wires wound around a cardiac catheter.

Claim 5

The defibrillation system of claim 1, and further comprising a conductor means for electrically connecting select ones of said conductive segments together.

Claim 6

The defibrillation system of claim 1, wherein said pulse generating means comprises means for generating a series of discrete pulse segments within a single pulse.

Claim 7

The defibrillation system of claim 1, wherein said discharge surface region is supported entirely by a single defibrillation electrode.

Claim 8

A defibrillation system for treating arrhythmias of the human heart with at least two implantable defibrillation electrodes for placement on, about, or in the heart for generating an electric field in the heart, the system comprising: an implantable defibrillation electrode having a discharge surface region adapted for facing and stimulating the heart, said discharge surface region comprising a plurality and a predetermined number of discrete conductive segments; pulse generating means for generating an electrical pulse block; chopping means for chopping said pulse block into discrete pulse segments; and directing means for directing select ones of said discrete pulse segments to a particular one or ones of said discrete conductive segments so that only said particular one or ones and less than all of said predetermined number of said discrete conductive segments receive electrical energy from said pulse generating means at any instant of time.

Claim 9

A defibrillation system for treating arrhythmias of the human heart with at least two implantable defibrillation electrodes for placement on, about, or in the heart for generating an electric field in the heart, the system comprising: an implantable defibrillation electrode having a discharge surface region adapted for facing and stimulating the heart, said discharge surface region comprising a plurality and a predetermined number of discrete conductive segments; pulse generating means for generating an electrical pulse block; chopping means for chopping said pulse block into discrete pulse segments; and directing means for directing select ones of said discrete pulse segments to a particular one or ones of said discrete conductive segments so that only said particular one or ones and less than all of said predetermined number of said discrete conductive segments receive electrical energy from said pulse generating means at any instant of time.

Claim 10

The defibrillation system of claim 7, wherein said discrete conductive segments comprise electrically conductive wires wound around a cardiac catheter.

Claim 11

The defibrillation system of claim 7, wherein said discrete conductive segments comprise stacked layers of discrete conductive mesh screens.

Claim 12

The defibrillation system of claim 7, and further including conductive means for electrically connecting together select ones of said discrete conductive segments.

Claim 13

A defibrillation system for treating arrhythmias of the human heart with at least two implantable defibrillation electrodes for placement on, about, or in the heart for generating an electric field in the heart, the system comprising: an implantable defibrillation electrode having a discharge surface region adapted for facing and stimulating the heart, said discharge surface region comprised of a plurality and a predetermined number of discrete conductive segments; insulation means positioned between said conductive segments for insulating said segments from one another; a defibrillator unit including a pulse generator for generating an electrical pulse block, means for chopping said pulse block into discrete pulse segments, and means for directing said discrete pulse segments to select ones of said output terminals; and lead means comprising a plurality of electrical conductors for electrically connecting select ones of said conductive segments on said discharge region of said electrode with said defibrillator unit for directing select ones of said discrete pulse segments to a particular one or ones of said discrete conductive segments so that only said particular one or ones and less than all of said predetermined number of said discrete conductive segments receive electrical energy from said pulse generator at any instant of time.

Claim 14

A defibrillation system for treating arrhythmias of the human heart with at least two implantable defibrillation electrodes for placement on, about, or in the heart for generating an electric field in the heart, the system comprising: an implantable defibrillation electrode having a discharge surface region adapted for facing and stimulating the heart, said discharge surface region comprised of a plurality and a predetermined number of discrete conductive segments; insulation means positioned between said conductive segments for insulating said segments from one another; a defibrillator unit including a pulse generator for generating an electrical pulse block, means for chopping said pulse block into discrete pulse segments, and means for directing said discrete pulse segments to select ones of said output terminals; and lead means comprising a plurality of electrical conductors for electrically connecting select ones of said conductive segments on said discharge region of said electrode with said defibrillator unit for directing select ones of said discrete pulse segments to a particular one or ones of said discrete conductive segments so that only said particular one or ones and less than all of said predetermined number of said discrete conductive segments receive electrical energy from said pulse generator at any instant of time.

Claim 15

The defibrillation system of claim 11, wherein said means to direct said electrical pulses comprises a switching circuit.

Claim 16

The defibrillation system of claim 11, wherein said discrete conductive segments comprise stacked layers of discrete conductive mesh screens.

Claim 17

The defibrillation system of claim 11, wherein said discrete conductive segments comprise electrically conductive wires wound around a cardiac catheter.

Claim 18

A defibrillation system for treating arrhythmias of the human heart with at least two implantable defibrillation electrodes for placement on or about the heart for generating an electric field in the heart, the system comprising: at least one implantable defibrillation electrode having a discharge surface region adapted for facing and stimulating the heart, said discharge region comprised of a plurality and a predetermined number of discrete conductive segments, insulation means positioned between conductive segments for insulating said conductive segments from one another, said electrode further including conductor means for electrically connecting select ones of said discrete conductive segments together; a defibrillator unit including a pulse generator for generating an electrical pulse block, means for chopping said pulse block into discrete pulse segments, and means to direct said discrete pulse segments to select ones of said output terminals; and a lead having a plurality of electrical conductors for electrically connecting select ones of said conductive segments on said discharge region of said electrode with said defibrillator unit for directing select ones of said discrete pulse segments to a particular one or ones of said discrete conductive segments so that only said particular one or ones and less than all of said predetermined number of said discrete conductive segments receive electrical energy from said pulse generator at any instant of time.

Claim 19

A defibrillation system for treating arrhythmias of the human heart with at least two implantable defibrillation electrodes for placement on or about the heart for generating an electric field in the heart, the system comprising: at least one implantable defibrillation electrode having a discharge surface region adapted for facing and stimulating the heart, said discharge region comprised of a plurality and a predetermined number of discrete conductive segments, insulation means positioned between conductive segments for insulating said conductive segments from one another, said electrode further including conductor means for electrically connecting select ones of said discrete conductive segments together; a defibrillator unit including a pulse generator for generating an electrical pulse block, means for chopping said pulse block into discrete pulse segments, and means to direct said discrete pulse segments to select ones of said output terminals; and a lead having a plurality of electrical conductors for electrically connecting select ones of said conductive segments on said discharge region of said electrode with said defibrillator unit for directing select ones of said discrete pulse segments to a particular one or ones of said discrete conductive segments so that only said particular one or ones and less than all of said predetermined number of said discrete conductive segments receive electrical energy from said pulse generator at any instant of time.

Claim 20

The defibrillation system of claim 15, wherein said means to direct said electrical pulses comprises a switching circuit.

Claim 21

The electrode of claim 15, wherein said discrete conductive segments comprise electrically conductive wires wound around the length of a catheter.

Claim 22

An implantable defibrillation electrode adapted for attachment to the human heart for applying electrical energy to said heart in conjunction with at least one another implantable electrode, said electrode being connected to a pulse generator means for producing a series of discrete pulse segments, the electrode comprising: a discharge surface region for facing and stimulating the heart, said discharge region comprised of a plurality and a predetermined number of discrete conductive segments, an insulation element positioned on a back surface region of said electrode opposite said discharge surface region; and lead means for electrically connecting said electrode to said pulse generator so that a particular one or ones of said discrete conductive segments of said discharge region receive select ones of said discrete pulse segments for supplying electrical energy to said discharge surface region so that only said particular one or ones and less than all of said predetermined number of said discrete conductive segments receive electrical energy from said pulse generator at any instant of time.

Claim 23

An implantable defibrillation electrode adapted for attachment to the human heart for applying electrical energy to said heart in conjunction with at least one another implantable electrode, said electrode being connected to a pulse generator means for producing a series of discrete pulse segments, the electrode comprising: a discharge surface region for facing and stimulating the heart, said discharge region comprised of a plurality and a predetermined number of discrete conductive segments, an insulation element positioned on a back surface region of said electrode opposite said discharge surface region; and lead means for electrically connecting said electrode to said pulse generator so that a particular one or ones of said discrete conductive segments of said discharge region receive select ones of said discrete pulse segments for supplying electrical energy to said discharge surface region so that only said particular one or ones and less than all of said predetermined number of said discrete conductive segments receive electrical energy from said pulse generator at any instant of time.

Claim 24

The implantable defibrillation electrode of claim 18, and further including insulator means positioned between said conductive segments for electrically isolating said conductive segments.

Claim 25

The electrode of claim 18, wherein said discrete conductive segments comprise stacked layers of discrete conductive mesh screens.

Claim 26

The electrode of claim 18, wherein said discrete conductive segments comprise electrically conductive wires wound around a cardiac catheter.

Claim 27

The electrode of claim 18, and further comprising conductor means for electrically connecting together select ones of said discrete conductive segments.

Claim 28

The electrode of claim 18, wherein said lead means comprises a plurality of electrical conductors, and said pulse generator means further includes a plurality of output terminals for receiving select ones of said discrete pulse segments, and wherein said plurality of electrical conductors electrically connect select ones of said discrete conductive segments with select ones of said output terminals.

Claim 29

The implantable defibrillation electrode of claim 18, wherein said discharge surface region is supported entirely by a single defibrillation electrode.

Claim 38

An implantable defibrillation electrode for attachment to the human heart for applying electrical energy to said heart in conjunction with at least one other implantable electrode, said electrode for being connected to a pulse generator producing a series of discrete pulse segments, said pulse segments being conducted to select ones of a plurality of output terminals of said pulse generator, the electrode comprising: a discharge surface comprised of a plurality of conductive mesh screens alternately stacked; a non-conductive mask element extending over substantially the entire discharge surface and having apertures for exposing said conductive mesh screens on the discharge surface; an insulation element positioned on the surface opposite said discharge surface region; and a lead having a plurality of electrical conductors for connecting select ones of said output terminals of said pulse generator with select ones of said conductive mesh screens.

Claim 39

An implantable defibrillation electrode for attachment to the human heart for applying electrical energy to said heart in conjunction with at least one other implantable electrode, said electrode for being connected to a pulse generator producing a series of discrete pulse segments, said pulse segments being conducted to select ones of a plurality of output terminals of said pulse generator, the electrode comprising: a discharge surface comprised of a plurality of conductive mesh screens alternately stacked; a non-conductive mask element extending over substantially the entire discharge surface and having apertures for exposing said conductive mesh screens on the discharge surface; an insulation element positioned on the surface opposite said discharge surface region; and a lead having a plurality of electrical conductors for connecting select ones of said output terminals of said pulse generator with select ones of said conductive mesh screens.

Claim 40

A defibrillation system for treating arrhythmias of the human heart with at least two implantable defibrillation electrodes for placement on, about, or in the heart for generating an electric field in the heart, the system comprising: an implantable defibrillation electrode having a discharge surface region adapted for facing and stimulating the heart, said discharge surface region comprising a plurality and a predetermined number of discrete conductive segments; capacity means for storing and discharging electrical energy; capacitor charging means for charging said capacitor means to a predetermined voltage; a plurality of output terminals connected to select ones of said discrete conductive segments of said electrode; a plurality of switching means, each of said switching means being electrically connected to a first terminal of said capacitor means and capable of being electrically connected to a select one of said output terminals; and timing generator means connected to said plurality of switching means for generating a triggering sequence signal to trigger select ones of said plurality of switching means to connect a particular one or ones of said discrete conductive segments to said capacitor means for discrete predetermined time intervals as said capacitor means discharges for conveying select ones of said discrete pulse segments to said particular one or ones of said discrete conductive segments so that only said particular one or ones and less than all of said predetermined number of said discrete conductive segments are energized at any instant of time.

Claim 41

A defibrillation system for treating arrhythmias of the human heart with at least two implantable defibrillation electrodes for placement on, about, or in the heart for generating an electric field in the heart, the system comprising: an implantable defibrillation electrode having a discharge surface region adapted for facing and stimulating the heart, said discharge surface region comprising a plurality and a predetermined number of discrete conductive segments; capacity means for storing and discharging electrical energy; capacitor charging means for charging said capacitor means to a predetermined voltage; a plurality of output terminals connected to select ones of said discrete conductive segments of said electrode; a plurality of switching means, each of said switching means being electrically connected to a first terminal of said capacitor means and capable of being electrically connected to a select one of said output terminals; and timing generator means connected to said plurality of switching means for generating a triggering sequence signal to trigger select ones of said plurality of switching means to connect a particular one or ones of said discrete conductive segments to said capacitor means for discrete predetermined time intervals as said capacitor means discharges for conveying select ones of said discrete pulse segments to said particular one or ones of said discrete conductive segments so that only said particular one or ones and less than all of said predetermined number of said discrete conductive segments are energized at any instant of time.

Claim 42

The system of claim 30, and further comprising a plurality of polarity switching means, each being connected to a second terminal of said capacitor means and to said timing generator means, and connected between each of said switching means and said output terminals, said polarity switching means being controlled by a polarity sequence signal produced by said timing generator means concurrently with said triggering sequence signal for reversing the polarity of said discrete pulse segments conveyed to said discrete conductive segments.

Claim 43

A defrillation system for treating arrhythmias of the human heart with at least two implantable defibrillation electrodes for placement on, about, or in the heart for generating an electric field in the heart, the system comprising: an implantable defibrillation electrode having a discharge surface region adapted for facing and stimulating the heart, said discharge surface region comprising a plurality and a predetermined amount of discrete conductive segments; generating means for generating electrical energy in the form of a defibrillation waveform; and directing means for directing said electrical energy to select one or ones of said discrete conductive segments so that only said select one or ones and less than all of said predetermined number of said discrete conductive segments are energized at any instant of time.

Claim 44

A defrillation system for treating arrhythmias of the human heart with at least two implantable defibrillation electrodes for placement on, about, or in the heart for generating an electric field in the heart, the system comprising: an implantable defibrillation electrode having a discharge surface region adapted for facing and stimulating the heart, said discharge surface region comprising a plurality and a predetermined amount of discrete conductive segments; generating means for generating electrical energy in the form of a defibrillation waveform; and directing means for directing said electrical energy to select one or ones of said discrete conductive segments so that only said select one or ones and less than all of said predetermined number of said discrete conductive segments are energized at any instant of time.

Claim 45

An implantable defibrillation electrode adapted for attachment to the human heart for applying electrical energy to said heart in conjunction with at least one other implantable electrode, said electrode being connected to a pulse generator means for producing electrical energy in the form of a defibrillation waveform, the electrode comprising: a discharge surface region for facing and stimulating the heart, said discharge surface region comprised of a plurality and a predetermined number of discrete conductive segments, an insulation element positioned on a back surface region of said electrode opposite said discharge surface region; and lead means for electrically connecting said electrode to said pulse generator means for directing said electrical energy to select one or ones of said discrete conductive segments so that only said select one or ones and less than all of said predetermined number of said discrete conductive segments are energized at any instant of time.

Claim 46

An implantable defibrillation electrode adapted for attachment to the human heart for applying electrical energy to said heart in conjunction with at least one other implantable electrode, said electrode being connected to a pulse generator means for producing electrical energy in the form of a defibrillation waveform, the electrode comprising: a discharge surface region for facing and stimulating the heart, said discharge surface region comprised of a plurality and a predetermined number of discrete conductive segments, an insulation element positioned on a back surface region of said electrode opposite said discharge surface region; and lead means for electrically connecting said electrode to said pulse generator means for directing said electrical energy to select one or ones of said discrete conductive segments so that only said select one or ones and less than all of said predetermined number of said discrete conductive segments are energized at any instant of time.

Claim 47

A gatling discharge defibrillation system for treating arrhythmias of the human heart with at least two implantable defibrillation electrodes for placement on, about, or in the heart for generating an electric field in the heart, the system comprising: an implantable defibrillation electrode having a discharge surface region adapted for facing and stimulating the heart, said discharge surface region comprising a plurality and a predetermined number of discrete conductive segments; pulse generating means for generating a series of discrete pulse segments; and directing means for directing select ones of said discrete pulse segments to a particular one or ones of said discrete conductive segments so that only said particular one or ones and less than all of said predetermined number of discrete conductive segments are energized at any instant of time for confining insulative gas produced as a result of the conversion of electric current to ionic current at an interface of said discharge surface region and the heart to each of said particular one or ones of said discrete conductive segments during each of said pulse segments, thereby lowering the amount of insulative gas across the entire discharge surface region to facilitate the conversion of electric current to ionic current across said discharge surface region.

Claim 48

A gatling discharge defibrillation system for treating arrhythmias of the human heart with at least two implantable defibrillation electrodes for placement on, about, or in the heart for generating an electric field in the heart, the system comprising: an implantable defibrillation electrode having a discharge surface region adapted for facing and stimulating the heart, said discharge surface region comprising a plurality and a predetermined number of discrete conductive segments; pulse generating means for generating a series of discrete pulse segments; and directing means for directing select ones of said discrete pulse segments to a particular one or ones of said discrete conductive segments so that only said particular one or ones and less than all of said predetermined number of discrete conductive segments are energized at any instant of time for confining insulative gas produced as a result of the conversion of electric current to ionic current at an interface of said discharge surface region and the heart to each of said particular one or ones of said discrete conductive segments during each of said pulse segments, thereby lowering the amount of insulative gas across the entire discharge surface region to facilitate the conversion of electric current to ionic current across said discharge surface region.

Claim 53

A defibrillation system for treating arrhythmias of the human heart with at least two implantable defibrillation electrodes for placement on, about, or in the heart for generating an electric field in the heart, the system comprising: an implantable defibrillation electrode having a discharge surface region adapted for facing and stimulating the heart, said discharge surface region comprising a plurality of discrete conductive segments in the form stacked layers of discrete conductive mesh screens; pulse generating means for generating a series of discrete electrical pulse segments for supplying electrical energy to said discharge surface region; and directing means for directing select ones of said discrete electrical pulse segments to select ones of said discrete conductive segments.

Claim 54

A defibrillation system for treating arrhythmias of the human heart with at least two implantable defibrillation electrodes for placement on, about, or in the heart for generating an electric field in the heart, the system comprising: an implantable defibrillation electrode having a discharge surface region adapted for facing and stimulating the heart, said discharge surface region comprising a plurality of discrete conductive segments in the form stacked layers of discrete conductive mesh screens; pulse generating means for generating a series of discrete electrical pulse segments for supplying electrical energy to said discharge surface region; and directing means for directing select ones of said discrete electrical pulse segments to select ones of said discrete conductive segments.

Claim 55

A defibrillation system for treating arrhythmias of the human heart with at least two implantable defibrillation electrodes for placement on, about, or in the heart for generating an electric field in the heart, the system comprising: an implantable defibrillation electrode having a discharge surface region adapted for facing and stimulating the heart, said discharge surface region comprising a plurality of discrete conductive segments in the form of stacked layers of discrete conductive mesh screens; a pulse generating means for generating an electrical pulse block; chopping means for chopping said pulse block into discrete pulse segments; and directing means for directing select ones of said discrete pulse segments to select ones of said discrete conductive segments.

Claim 56

A defibrillation system for treating arrhythmias of the human heart with at least two implantable defibrillation electrodes for placement on, about, or in the heart for generating an electric field in the heart, the system comprising: an implantable defibrillation electrode having a discharge surface region adapted for facing and stimulating the heart, said discharge surface region comprising a plurality of discrete conductive segments in the form of stacked layers of discrete conductive mesh screens; a pulse generating means for generating an electrical pulse block; chopping means for chopping said pulse block into discrete pulse segments; and directing means for directing select ones of said discrete pulse segments to select ones of said discrete conductive segments.

Claim 57

A defibrillation system for treating arrhythmias of the human heart with at least two implantable defibrillation electrodes for placement on, about, or in the heart for generating an electric field in the heart, the system comprising: an implantable defibrillation electrode having a discharge surface region adapted for facing and stimulating the heart, said discharge surface region comprised of a plurality of discrete conductive segments in the form of stacked layers of discrete conductive mesh screens; insulating means positioned between said conductive segments for insulating said segments from one another; a defibrillator unit including a pulse generator for generating an electrical pulse block, means for chopping said pulse block into discrete pulse segments, and means for directing said and lead means comprising a plurality of electrical conductors for electrically connecting select ones of said conductive segments on said discharge region of said electrode with said defibrillator unit for directing select ones of said discrete pulse segments to a select ones of said discrete conductive segments.

Claim 58

A defibrillation system for treating arrhythmias of the human heart with at least two implantable defibrillation electrodes for placement on, about, or in the heart for generating an electric field in the heart, the system comprising: an implantable defibrillation electrode having a discharge surface region adapted for facing and stimulating the heart, said discharge surface region comprised of a plurality of discrete conductive segments in the form of stacked layers of discrete conductive mesh screens; insulating means positioned between said conductive segments for insulating said segments from one another; a defibrillator unit including a pulse generator for generating an electrical pulse block, means for chopping said pulse block into discrete pulse segments, and means for directing said and lead means comprising a plurality of electrical conductors for electrically connecting select ones of said conductive segments on said discharge region of said electrode with said defibrillator unit for directing select ones of said discrete pulse segments to a select ones of said discrete conductive segments.

Claim 59

An implantable defibrillation electrode adapted for attachment to the human heart for applying electrical energy to said heart in conjunction with at least one other implantable electrode, said electrode being connected to a pulse generator means for producing a series of discrete pulse segments, the electrode comprising: a discharge surface region for facing and stimulating the heart, said discharge region comprised of a plurality of discrete conductive segments in the form of stacked layers of discrete conductive mesh screens, and insulation element positioned on a back surface region of said electrode opposite said discharge surface region; and lead means for electrically connecting said electrode to said pulse generator for directing select ones of said discrete conductive segments of said discharge region to select ones of said discrete pulse segments for supplying electrical energy to said discharge surface region.

Claim 60

An implantable defibrillation electrode adapted for attachment to the human heart for applying electrical energy to said heart in conjunction with at least one other implantable electrode, said electrode being connected to a pulse generator means for producing a series of discrete pulse segments, the electrode comprising: a discharge surface region for facing and stimulating the heart, said discharge region comprised of a plurality of discrete conductive segments in the form of stacked layers of discrete conductive mesh screens, and insulation element positioned on a back surface region of said electrode opposite said discharge surface region; and lead means for electrically connecting said electrode to said pulse generator for directing select ones of said discrete conductive segments of said discharge region to select ones of said discrete pulse segments for supplying electrical energy to said discharge surface region.

Claim 61

A defibrillation system for treating arrhythmias of the human heart with at least two implantable defibrillation electrodes for placement on, about, or in the heart for generating an electric field in the heart, the system comprising: an implantable defibrillation electrode having a discharge surface region adapted for facing and stimulating the heart, said discharge surface region comprising a plurality of discrete conductive segments; generating means for generating electrical energy in the form of a defibrillation waveform; and directing means for directing said electrical energy to select one or ones of said discrete conductive segments so that only a portion of said discharge surface region is energized at any instant of time.

Claim 62

A defibrillation system for treating arrhythmias of the human heart with at least two implantable defibrillation electrodes for placement on, about, or in the heart for generating an electric field in the heart, the system comprising: an implantable defibrillation electrode having a discharge surface region adapted for facing and stimulating the heart, said discharge surface region comprising a plurality of discrete conductive segments; generating means for generating electrical energy in the form of a defibrillation waveform; and directing means for directing said electrical energy to select one or ones of said discrete conductive segments so that only a portion of said discharge surface region is energized at any instant of time.