Line electrode oriented relative to fiber direction

摘要

An electrode terminal is described for delivering a stimulation pulse to the heart or other tissues containing a linear array of fibers. The electrode terminal is elongated and adapted for orientation in a direction parallel to the tissue fibers. The device of the present invention further includes a power source for electrically energizing the terminal such that the energization of the terminal reduces the nonuniformity of the transmembrane voltage change in the tissue proximate the electrode which is produced during the stimulation pulse. Nonuniform transmembrane voltage changes are associated with arrhythmic conditions. The linear electrode of the present invention can be used for cardiac pacing, defibrillation, and the termination of tachycardia.