Computer controlled defibrillator

Abstract

Abstract A computer controlled defibrillator comprising a set of electrodes which are engageable with a patient and which are connected to a source of electrical energy by a circuit means. The circuit means comprises storage capacitors, energy selector, computer, manual and reset switches, voltage monitor, current monitor, and output meter. The computer responds to certain external inputs, automatic and manual, and controls the output delivered to the patient. The energy selector permits the selection of the energy which is desired to be delivered to the patient. The sequence is started by closing the manual reset switch which zeroes the output meter and activates the power supply (electrical energy) at a voltage which is dependent on the energy selector. The energy derived from the power supply is stored in the storage capacitors. The energy selector, which is manually set to the energy desired, also feeds an input to the computer. When the manual switch is activated, the computer causes the stored energy source to be connected to the patient through the electrodes. The current monitor and voltage monitor feed instantaneous signals to the computer which computes the energy as a continuous integration process. When the computed energy equals the selected energy, the computer causes the energy source to be disconnected from the patient. The total energy delivered to the patient is indicated as a steady reading on the output meter. A modified form of the defibrillator is also disclosed wherein the magnitude of current in the electrical circuit means may be manually or automatically selected to enable the defibrillator to compensate for the patient''s body weight.

Inventors

• 👤 David Bell
• 👤 William K Hagan

Bibliographic Details