Method and apparatus for reducing defibrillation energy

摘要

An energy reduction unit is removably connectable to an external defibrillator to reduce the defibrillation energy delivered by the defibrillator to a patient. Use of the energy reduction unit is particularly suited to defibrillating pediatric patients (infants and children under 8) with an automatic or semi-automatic external defibrillator (AED). In one embodiment, the energy reduction unit includes an attenuator which partially dissipates energy produced by the AED. The attenuator is advantageously designed to present an impedance to the AED which, when connected to the patient, is approximately equal to the patient's impedance. The energy reduction unit may include a presence-detect function which enables the defibrillator to modify analysis of ECG signals to account for differences heart rhythms of pediatric and adult patients. In a second embodiment, the energy reduction unit includes an energy control modifier circuit which affects the charging operations performed internal to the AED. Other than being attached to the defibrillation equipment, the energy reduction unit does not otherwise change how an operator uses the equipment.