Cardiac defibrillator with movable contact switch

Claim 2

A cardiac defibrillator for delivering a cardiac defibrillation pulse to a patient comprising: an electrical energy source; an energy storage capacitor for storing an electrical charge from the electrical energy source; a movable switch capable of moving between a charge position and a discharge position; a first electrical contact connected to the movable switch such that the first electrical contact moves in a contact path as the movable switch moves between the charge and discharge positions, the first electrical contact being electrically coupled to the energy storage capacitor; and a second electrical contact disposed within the contact path and connectable to means for delivering the cardiac defibrillation pulse to the patient, the second electrical contact selected from a plurality of contacts, each having a different contact length, wherein the cardiac defibrillation pulse is delivered to the patient when the first and second electrical contacts are engaged, the duration of the cardiac defibrillation pulse being variable by changing the contact length of the second electrical contact that is disposed in the contact path thereby varying the length of time that the first and second electrical contacts are engaged.

Claim 3

A cardiac defibrillator for delivering a cardiac defibrillation pulse to a patient comprising: an electrical energy source; an energy storage capacitor for storing an electrical charge from the electrical energy source; a movable switch capable of moving between a charge position and a discharge position; a first electrical contact connected to the movable switch such that the first electrical contact moves in a contact path as the movable switch moves between the charge and discharge positions, the first electrical contact being electrically coupled to the energy storage capacitor; a second electrical contact disposed within the contact path and connectable to means for delivering the cardiac defibrillation pulse to the patient, wherein the cardiac defibrillation pulse is delivered to the patient when the first and second electrical contacts are engaged, the duration of the cardiac defibrillation pulse being variable by changing the length of the second electrical contact that is disposed in the contact path thereby varying the length of time that the first and second electrical contacts are engaged; and a third electrical contact disposed in the contact path, wherein the third electrical contact is connected to a discharge resistor that removes charge from the energy storage capacitor when the movable switch is in the discharge position.

Claim 4

A cardiac defibrillator for delivering a cardiac defibrillation pulse to a patient comprising: an electrical energy source; an energy storage capacitor for storing an electrical charge from the electrical energy source; a movable switch capable of moving between a charge position and a discharge position; a first electrical contact connected to the movable switch such that the first electrical contact moves in a contact path as the movable switch moves between the charge and discharge positions, the first electrical contact being electrically coupled to the energy storage capacitor; a second electrical contact disposed within the contact path and connectable to means for delivering the cardiac defibrillation pulse to the patient, wherein the cardiac defibrillation pulse is delivered to the patient when the first and second electrical contacts are engaged, the duration of the cardiac defibrillation pulse being variable by changing the length of the second electrical contact that is disposed in the contact path thereby varying the length of time that the first and second electrical contacts are engaged; and a third electrical contact disposed in the contact path, wherein the third electrical contact is connected to a discharge resistor that removes charge from the energy storage capacitor when the movable switch is in the discharge position.

Claim 5

The cardiac defibrillator as in claim 1, further comprising a battery contact disposed within the contact path such that the energy storage capacitor is coupled to the electrical energy source when the movable switch is in the charge position.

Claim 6

The cardiac defibrillator as in claim 1, wherein the movable switch comprises a rotor that is movable in a substantially arcuate path between the charge position and the discharge position.

Claim 7

The cardiac defibrillator as in claim 1, further comprising: means for moving the movable switch between the charge position and the discharge position.

Claim 8

The cardiac defibrillator as in claim 1, further comprising: means for latching the movable switch in the charge position and means for releasing the movable switch from the charge position.

Claim 9

The cardiac defibrillator as in claim 1, wherein the energy source comprises a high-voltage battery.

Claim 10

The cardiac defibrillator as in claim 7, wherein the high-voltage battery comprises a plurality of batteries connected in a series relationship.

Claim 11

The cardiac defibrillator as in claim 1, wherein the means for delivering the cardiac defibrillation pulse from the cardiac defibrillator to the patient comprises a pair of electrodes attachable to the patient.

Claim 12

The cardiac defibrillator as in claim 5, wherein the means for moving the movable switch comprises a spring.

Claim 13

A cardiac defibrillator for applying a defibrillation pulse to a patient, comprising: a battery; an energy storage capacitor for storing a charge from the battery; electrodes connectable to the patient for delivering the defibrillation pulse from the cardiac defibrillator to the patient; a switch rotor capable of rotating in a substantially arcuate path between a charge position and a discharge position, the switch rotor further comprising a rotor contact that is electrically coupled to the energy storage capacitor, wherein the rotor contact rotates in a rotor contact path as the switch rotor rotates between the charge and discharge positions; a battery contact disposed within the rotor contact path such that the battery contact is connected to the switch rotor contact thereby connecting the battery to the energy storage capacitor when the switch rotor is in the charge position; and an electrode contact disposed within the rotor contact path and coupled to the electrodes, the electrode contact selected from a plurality of contacts, each having a different contact length, wherein the defibrillation pulse is delivered to the patient when the rotor contact engages the electrode contact, the duration of the defibrillation pulse being variable by changing the length of the electrode contact that lies in the rotor contact path thereby varying the time that the electrode contact and the rotor contact are engaged as the switch rotor rotates between the charge and discharge positions.

Claim 14

A cardiac defibrillator for applying a defibrillation pulse to a patient, comprising: a battery; an energy storage capacitor for storing a charge from the battery; electrodes connectable to the patient for delivering the defibrillation pulse from the cardiac defibrillator to the patient; a switch rotor capable of rotating in a substantially arcuate path between a charge position and a discharge position, the switch rotor further comprising a rotor contact that is electrically coupled to the energy storage capacitor, wherein the rotor contact rotates in a rotor contact path as the switch rotor rotates between the charge and discharge positions; a battery contact disposed within the rotor contact path such that the battery contact is connected to the switch rotor contact thereby connecting the battery to the energy storage capacitor when the switch rotor is in the charge position; and an electrode contact disposed within the rotor contact path and coupled to the electrodes, the electrode contact selected from a plurality of contacts, each having a different contact length, wherein the defibrillation pulse is delivered to the patient when the rotor contact engages the electrode contact, the duration of the defibrillation pulse being variable by changing the length of the electrode contact that lies in the rotor contact path thereby varying the time that the electrode contact and the rotor contact are engaged as the switch rotor rotates between the charge and discharge positions.

Claim 15

A cardiac defibrillator for applying a defibrillation pulse to a patient, comprising: a battery; an energy storage capacitor for storing a charge from the battery; electrodes connectable to the patient for delivering the defibrillation pulse from the cardiac defibrillator to the patient; a switch rotor capable of rotating in a substantially arcuate path between a charge position and a discharge position, the switch rotor further comprising a rotor contact that is electrically coupled to the energy storage capacitor, wherein the rotor contact rotates in a rotor contact path as the switch rotor rotates between the charge and discharge positions; a battery contact disposed within the rotor contact path such that the battery contact is connected to the switch rotor contact thereby connecting the battery to the energy storage capacitor when the switch rotor is in the charge position; an electrode contact disposed within the rotor contact path and coupled to the electrodes, wherein the defibrillation pulse is delivered to the patient when the rotor contact engages the electrode contact, the duration of the defibrillation pulse being variable by changing the length of the electrode contact that lies in the rotor contact path thereby varying the time that the electrode contact and the rotor contact are engaged as the switch rotor rotates between the charge and discharge positions; and a discharge contact disposed within the rotor contact path and connected to a discharge resistor, wherein the discharge contact is connected to the rotor contact when the switch rotor is in the discharge position thereby allowing the discharge resistor to dissipate charge from the energy storage capacitor.

Claim 16

A cardiac defibrillator for applying a defibrillation pulse to a patient, comprising: a battery; an energy storage capacitor for storing a charge from the battery; electrodes connectable to the patient for delivering the defibrillation pulse from the cardiac defibrillator to the patient; a switch rotor capable of rotating in a substantially arcuate path between a charge position and a discharge position, the switch rotor further comprising a rotor contact that is electrically coupled to the energy storage capacitor, wherein the rotor contact rotates in a rotor contact path as the switch rotor rotates between the charge and discharge positions; a battery contact disposed within the rotor contact path such that the battery contact is connected to the switch rotor contact thereby connecting the battery to the energy storage capacitor when the switch rotor is in the charge position; an electrode contact disposed within the rotor contact path and coupled to the electrodes, wherein the defibrillation pulse is delivered to the patient when the rotor contact engages the electrode contact, the duration of the defibrillation pulse being variable by changing the length of the electrode contact that lies in the rotor contact path thereby varying the time that the electrode contact and the rotor contact are engaged as the switch rotor rotates between the charge and discharge positions; and a discharge contact disposed within the rotor contact path and connected to a discharge resistor, wherein the discharge contact is connected to the rotor contact when the switch rotor is in the discharge position thereby allowing the discharge resistor to dissipate charge from the energy storage capacitor.

Claim 17

The cardiac defibrillator as in claim 11, further comprising: means for moving the switch rotor from the charge position to the discharge position.

Claim 18

The cardiac defibrillator as in claim 11, further comprising: means for latching the switch rotor in the charge position and means for releasing the switch rotor from the charge position.

Claim 19

The cardiac defibrillator as in claim 11, wherein the battery comprises a plurality of disc type batteries stacked in a series relationship.

Claim 20

Apparatus for delivering a cardiac defibrillation pulse to a patient's heart muscle comprising: an electrical energy source; a switch contact; means for the moving the switch contact along a switch contact path between a charge position and a discharge position; an electrode contact disposed in the switch contact path, wherein the cardiac defibrillation pulse is delivered to the patient's heart muscle when the switch contact engages the electrode contact, the duration of the cardiac defibrillation pulse being variable by varying the length of time the switch contact and the electrode contact are engaged; and energy storage means for storing an electrical charge from the electrical energy source, wherein the energy storage means is electrically coupled to the switch contact.

Claim 21

Apparatus for delivering a cardiac defibrillation pulse to a patient's heart muscle comprising: an electrical energy source; a switch contact; means for the moving the switch contact along a switch contact path between a charge position and a discharge position; an electrode contact disposed in the switch contact path, wherein the cardiac defibrillation pulse is delivered to the patient's heart muscle when the switch contact engages the electrode contact, the duration of the cardiac defibrillation pulse being variable by varying the length of time the switch contact and the electrode contact are engaged; and energy storage means for storing an electrical charge from the electrical energy source, wherein the energy storage means is electrically coupled to the switch contact.

Claim 22

The apparatus as in claim 16, further comprising: a battery contact connected to the electrical energy source and disposed in the switch contact path such that the switch contact engages the battery contact when the switch contact is in the charge position.

Claim 23

Apparatus for delivering a cardiac defibrillation pulse to a patient's heat muscle comprising: an electrical energy source; a switch contact; means for moving the switch contact along a switch contact path between a charge position and a discharge position; an electrode contact disposed in the switch contact path, wherein the cardiac defibrillation pulse is delivered to the patient's heart muscle when the switch contact engages the electrode contact, the duration of the cardiac defibrillation pulse being variable by varying the length of time the switch contact and the electrode contact are engaged; energy storage means for storing an electrical charge from the electrical energy source; means for dissipating charge from the energy storage means; and a discharge contact connected to the means for dissipating charge from the energy storage means, wherein the discharge contact is disposed in the switch contact path such that charge is dissipated from the energy storage means when the switch contact is in the discharge position.

Claim 24

Apparatus for delivering a cardiac defibrillation pulse to a patient's heat muscle comprising: an electrical energy source; a switch contact; means for moving the switch contact along a switch contact path between a charge position and a discharge position; an electrode contact disposed in the switch contact path, wherein the cardiac defibrillation pulse is delivered to the patient's heart muscle when the switch contact engages the electrode contact, the duration of the cardiac defibrillation pulse being variable by varying the length of time the switch contact and the electrode contact are engaged; energy storage means for storing an electrical charge from the electrical energy source; means for dissipating charge from the energy storage means; and a discharge contact connected to the means for dissipating charge from the energy storage means, wherein the discharge contact is disposed in the switch contact path such that charge is dissipated from the energy storage means when the switch contact is in the discharge position.

Claim 25

The apparatus as in claim 18, wherein the means for dissipating charge from the energy storage means comprises a resistor.

Claim 26

The apparatus as in claim 18, wherein the means for moving the switch contact between the charge position and the discharge position comprises a spring.

Claim 27

Apparatus for delivering a biphasic cardiac defibrillation pulse to a patient comprising: an electrical energy source; energy storage means for storing an electrical charge from the electrical energy source; a switch contact capable of moving along a switch contact path; means for moving the switch contact along the switch contact path; a first electrode contact connectable to means for delivering the cardiac defibrillation pulse to the patient and disposed in the switch contact path such that a first cardiac defibrillation pulse having a first polarity is delivered to the patient as the switch contact engages the first electrode contact, the duration of the first cardiac defibrillation pulse being variable by changing the length of the first electrode contact that lies in the switch contact path; a second electrode contact connectable to means for delivering the cardiac defibrillation pulse to the patient and disposed in the switch contact path such that a second cardiac defibrillation pulse having a second polarity is delivered to the patient as the switch contact engages the second electrode contact, the duration of the second cardiac defibrillation pulse being variable by changing the length of the second electrode contact that lies in the switch contact path; and a discharge contact disposed in the switch contact path, wherein the discharge contact is connected to means for dissipating charge from the energy storage means when the switch contact engages the discharge contact.

Claim 28

Apparatus for delivering a biphasic cardiac defibrillation pulse to a patient comprising: an electrical energy source; energy storage means for storing an electrical charge from the electrical energy source; a switch contact capable of moving along a switch contact path; means for moving the switch contact along the switch contact path; a first electrode contact connectable to means for delivering the cardiac defibrillation pulse to the patient and disposed in the switch contact path such that a first cardiac defibrillation pulse having a first polarity is delivered to the patient as the switch contact engages the first electrode contact, the duration of the first cardiac defibrillation pulse being variable by changing the length of the first electrode contact that lies in the switch contact path; a second electrode contact connectable to means for delivering the cardiac defibrillation pulse to the patient and disposed in the switch contact path such that a second cardiac defibrillation pulse having a second polarity is delivered to the patient as the switch contact engages the second electrode contact, the duration of the second cardiac defibrillation pulse being variable by changing the length of the second electrode contact that lies in the switch contact path; and a discharge contact disposed in the switch contact path, wherein the discharge contact is connected to means for dissipating charge from the energy storage means when the switch contact engages the discharge contact.

Claim 29

The apparatus as in claim 21, wherein the switch contact moves between a charge position and a discharge position along the switch contact path.

Claim 30

The apparatus as in claim 21, further comprising: a battery contact connected to the electrical energy source and disposed in the switch contact path such that the energy storage means is connected to the electrical energy source when the switch contact is in the charge position.