US5601608A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Methods and apparatus for applying charge-balanced antiarrhythmia shocks
Assignee: Pacesetter Inc
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Filing: 1995-02-02
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Granted: 1997-02-11
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Expires: 2015-02-02
Abstract
Abstract Methods and apparatus are provided for generating multiphasic charge-balanced cardioversion and defibrillation shocks to apply to a patient's heart to terminate episodes of arrhythmia such as tachycardia and fibrillation. The time-integrated positive shock phase current equals the time-integrated negative shock phase current. The use of charge-balanced shocks has been determined to significantly reduce the effects of post shock block that result when conventional shocks are applied to the heart.
Inventors
- 👤 Gabriel Mouchawar
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 11:05
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61N; A61N1/00; A61N1/18; A61N1/32; A61N1/38; A61N1/39; A61N1/3956; A61N1/3906; A61N1/3912
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
97 words
Apparatus for applying a charge-balanced antiarrhythmia shock to the heart of a patient to reduce the effects of post shock block, comprising: means for applying at least one positive shock phase to the heart, said positive shock phase having a positive shock phase current; and means for applying at least one negative shock phase to the heart, said negative shock phase having a negative shock phase current, wherein the time-integrated positive shock phase current substantially equals the time-integrated negative shock phase current, and further wherein each shock phase is a portion of a single exponential decay waveform.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
97 words
Apparatus for applying a charge-balanced antiarrhythmia shock to the heart of a patient to reduce the effects of post shock block, comprising: means for applying at least one positive shock phase to the heart, said positive shock phase having a positive shock phase current; and means for applying at least one negative shock phase to the heart, said negative shock phase having a negative shock phase current, wherein the time-integrated positive shock phase current substantially equals the time-integrated negative shock phase current, and further wherein each shock phase is a portion of a single exponential decay waveform.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
The apparatus defined in claim 1, wherein: said means for applying said at least one positive shock phase applies a single positive shock phase; and said means for applying said at least one negative shock phase applies a single negative shock phase.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus defined in claim 1, wherein said means for applying said positive and negative shock phases apply initial and final shock phases of one polarity and an intermediate shock phase of opposite polarity to said one polarity.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus defined in claim 1, comprising: a capacitor charged to a predetermined voltage; and switching circuitry for applying the voltage across the capacitor to the heart with an alternating polarity.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
103 words
A method for applying a charge-balanced antiarrhythmia shock to the heart of a patient to reduce the effects of post shock block, comprising the steps of: applying at least one positive shock phase to the heart, said at least one positive shock phase having a positive shock phase current; and applying at least one negative shock phase to the heart, said at least one negative shock phase having a negative shock phase current, wherein the time-integrated positive shock phase current substantially equals the time-integrated negative shock phase current, and further wherein each shock phase is a portion of a single exponential decay waveform.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
103 words
A method for applying a charge-balanced antiarrhythmia shock to the heart of a patient to reduce the effects of post shock block, comprising the steps of: applying at least one positive shock phase to the heart, said at least one positive shock phase having a positive shock phase current; and applying at least one negative shock phase to the heart, said at least one negative shock phase having a negative shock phase current, wherein the time-integrated positive shock phase current substantially equals the time-integrated negative shock phase current, and further wherein each shock phase is a portion of a single exponential decay waveform.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method defined in claim 5, wherein the steps of applying the positive and negative shock phases to the heart comprise the steps of: applying a single positive shock phase; and applying a single negative shock phase.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method defined in claim 5, wherein the steps of applying the positive and negative shock phases to the heart comprise the steps of: applying initial and final shock phases of one polarity; and applying an intermediate shock phase of opposite polarity to said one polarity.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method defined in claim 5, comprising the steps of: charging a capacitor; and using switching circuitry to apply the voltage across the capacitor to the heart with alternating polarity.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
137 words
A cardiac stimulating device for applying a charge-balanced antiarrhythmia shock to the heart of a patient to reduce the effects of post shock block, comprising: a battery; a capacitor; means for charging said capacitor with said battery when it is desired to apply said charge-balanced antiarrhythmia shock to the heart; means for applying at least one positive shock phase to the heart from said capacitor, said at least one positive shock phase having a positive shock phase current; and means for applying at least one negative shock phase to the heart from said capacitor, said at least one negative shock phase having a negative shock phase current, wherein the time-integrated positive shock phase current substantially equals the time-integrated negative shock phase current, and further wherein each shock phase is a portion of a single exponential decay waveform.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
137 words
A cardiac stimulating device for applying a charge-balanced antiarrhythmia shock to the heart of a patient to reduce the effects of post shock block, comprising: a battery; a capacitor; means for charging said capacitor with said battery when it is desired to apply said charge-balanced antiarrhythmia shock to the heart; means for applying at least one positive shock phase to the heart from said capacitor, said at least one positive shock phase having a positive shock phase current; and means for applying at least one negative shock phase to the heart from said capacitor, said at least one negative shock phase having a negative shock phase current, wherein the time-integrated positive shock phase current substantially equals the time-integrated negative shock phase current, and further wherein each shock phase is a portion of a single exponential decay waveform.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
44 words
The cardiac stimulating device defined in claim 9, wherein: said means for applying said at least one positive shock phase applies a single positive shock phase; and said means for applying said at least one negative shock phase applies a single negative shock phase.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
40 words
The cardiac stimulating device defined in claim 9, wherein said means for applying the positive and negative shock phases apply initial and final shock phases of one polarity and an intermediate shock phase of opposite polarity to said one polarity.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
23 words
The cardiac stimulating device defined in claim 9, wherein the means for applying the positive and negative shock phases comprise a bipolar lead.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
23 words
The cardiac stimulating device defined in claim 9, wherein the means for applying the positive and negative shock phases comprise a tripolar lead.
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