Low energy multiple shock defibrillation/cardioversion discharge technique and electrode configuration

摘要

A cardioversion/defibrillation system employing a dual biphasic and multi-electrode discharge technique for effectively defibrillating the heart by creating a voltage gradient throughout substantially all of the heart which is above a critical voltage gradient while delivering a minimum energy shock. Effective cardioversion/defibrillation is accomplished by delivering two shocks to the heart. The first shock is at an energy level lower than that typically necessary to cardiovert/defibrillate the heart alone, and is applied between a first pair of cardioversion/defibrillation electrodes. The second shock is at an energy less than the first shock and is applied between a second pair of electrodes to shock the area of the myocardium provided with an inadequate voltage gradient from the first shock. The voltage gradient in the low gradient areas is boosted above the minimum gradient necessary to defibrillate. Thus, substantially the entire myocardium is depolarized by a voltage gradient above the critical voltage gradient, but with the total shock strength of the first and second shocks being substantially reduced.