EXTERNAL MECHANICAL CARDIAC STIMULATOR

摘要

A cardiac stimulation device for treating dysrhythmia of the heart of a patient has a housing (1) for disposition on the chest of the patient (4) having an impact mechanism including a plunger arrangement (2) arranged to deliver an external impact to the chest of the patient (4) with an energy capable of stimulating electrical excitation and subsequent contraction of the heart of the patient. The device has circuitry to cause controlled operation of the impact mechanism. An ECG signal representative of the cardiac rhythm is recorded and analysed, to output a trigger signal indicative of a need for stimulation of the heart, which is used to trigger a mechanical impact. The device may operate during brady and tachy-cardic dysrhtyhmias, including asystole, ventricular tachycardia or fibrillation. It offers an advantageous alternative to electrical simulation of the heart, in particular requiring lower energies which cause less trauma to the patient and increases portablility.