PASSIVE DEFIBRILLATION ELECTRODES FOR USE WITH CARDIAC ASSIST DEVICE

摘要

A cardiac support system includes a ventricular assist device adapted to be extended over a portion of a patient's heart to assist the ventricles of the heart to properly contract. One or more stimulating electrodes (74) are mounted on the ventricular assist device in selected locations such that when the ventricular assist device is extended over the heart, the stimulation electrodes are in close proximity to the surface of the heart. The system further includes one or more external pickup electrodes (70) that receive externally applied energy, and conduct that energy to the one or more stimulating electrodes via conductive leads (72). The external pickup electrodes (70) may be mounted on the outer surface of the ventricular assist device, or can be located at some other location inside the patient's body. The externally applied energy will typically be supplied by standard defibrillation paddles located outside of the patient's body. In place of the pickup electrodes, the stimulating electrodes can be wired directly to, respectively, a source of electrical energy, and a ground plate.