Abstract: A method and system for treating an individual experiencing cardiac arrest using an automatic external defibrillator (AED) includes placing a first and a second electrode of the AED in electrical communication with an exterior surface of the individual. A need to apply a high voltage defibrillation signal to the individual is automatically determined. The method also includes automatically causing the AED to apply a medium voltage therapy (MVT) signal through the first and the second electrodes to the individual. The MVT signal is applied to induce a hemodynamic effect in the individual. Alternatively, or additionally, the MVT signal is applied to induce a respiratory effect in the individual. Optionally, the MVT signal is applied before determining the need to apply the defibrillation signal.

Abstract: An electrical method and apparatus for stimulating cardiac cells causing contraction to force hemodynamic output during fibrillation, hemodynamically compromising tachycardia, or asystole. Forcing fields are applied to the heart to give cardiac output on an emergency basis until the arrhythmia ceases or other intervention takes place. The device is used as a stand alone external or internal device, or as a backup to an ICD, atrial defibrillator, or an anti-tachycardia pacemaker. The method and apparatus maintain some cardiac output and not necessarily defibrillation.

Abstract: An electrical method and apparatus for stimulating cardiac cells causing contraction to force hemodynamic output during fibrillation, hemodynamically compromising tachycardia, or asystole. Forcing fields are applied to the heart to give cardiac output on an emergency basis until the arrhythmia ceases or other intervention takes place. The device is used as a stand alone external or internal device, or as a backup to an ICD, atrial defibrillator, or an anti-tachycardia pacemaker. The method and apparatus maintain some cardiac output and not necessarily defibrillation.

Abstract: An electrical method and apparatus for stimulating cardiac cells causing contraction to force hemodynamic output during fibrillation, hemodynamically compromising tachycardia, or asystole. Forcing fields are applied to the heart to give cardiac output on an emergency basis until the arrhythmia ceases or other intervention takes place. The device is used as a stand alone external or internal device, or as a backup to an ICD, atrial defibrillator, or an anti-tachycardia pacemaker. The method and apparatus maintain some cardiac output and not necessarily defibrillation.

Abstract: An electrical method and apparatus for stimulating cardiac cells causing contraction to force hemodynamic output during fibrillation, hemodynamically compromising tachycardia, or asystole. Forcing fields are applied to the heart to give cardiac output on an emergency basis until the arrhythmia ceases or other intervention takes place. The device is used as a stand alone external or internal device, or as a backup to an ICD, atrial defibrillator, or an anti-tachycardia pacemaker. The method and apparatus maintain some cardiac output and not necessarily defibrillation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring syncope, and having available for use an electrical cardiac output forcing (ECOF) back up. An implantable device, including an ECOF back up, for recording the electrical activity within a human heart is provided. The device includes a power supply for operating the device and for providing the necessary output forcing signals. A monitoring or detection device is provided connected to the power supply. Electrodes are provided to electrically connect the power supply and the detection device to a patient's heart. A memory device is also provided connected to the detection device for recording electrical activity and/or blood pressure data of the patient's heart. The memory device may be comprised of a short term loop buffer for continuously recording the electrical data from the patient's heart and a long term storage buffer. The short term loop may be of a desired size, for example, capable of storing from 1-30 minutes of data before overriding occurs.

Abstract: An electrical method and apparatus for stimulating cardiac cells causing contraction to force hemodynamic output during fibrillation, hemodynamically compromising tachycardia, or asystole. Forcing fields are applied to the heart to give cardiac output on an emergency basis until the arrhythmia ceases or other intervention takes place. The device is used as a stand alone external or internal device, or as a backup to an ICD, atrial defibrillator, or an anti-tachycardia pacemaker. The method and apparatus maintain some cardiac output and not necessarily defibrillation.

Abstract: A device for preventing clotting during atrial fibrillation includes optional electrical cardiac output forcing (ECOF) or ICD/AED back up. The device includes a power supply for operating the device and for providing the necessary output forcing signals. The power supply is located in a housing which may be implantable into a human patient. In one embodiment, the housing acts as an electrode. At least one additional electrode is connected to the housing and may be inserted into the human heart. A ventricular lead is mounted to the electrode along with an atrial lead. The housing also contains an electrical cardiac stimulator. When a certain cardiac event, such as atrial fibrillation, is detected, anti-clotting pulses are applied to the heart via the atrial lead. If and when ventricular fibrillation is detected, further pulses of a different voltage level are applied to the heart via the ventricular lead. In one embodiment, the anti-clotting pulses are synchronized to the R-wave sensed by the ventricular lead.

Abstract: An electrical method and apparatus for stimulating cardiac cells causing contraction to force hemodynamic output during fibrillation, hemodynamically compromising tachycardia, or asystole. Forcing fields are applied to the heart to give cardiac output on an emergency basis until the arrhythmia ceases or other intervention takes place. The device is used as a stand alone external or internal device, or as a backup to an ICD, atrial defibrillator, or an anti-tachycardia pacemaker. The method and apparatus maintain some cardiac output and not necessarily defibrillation.

Abstract: An electrical method and apparatus for stimulating cardiac cells causing contraction to force hemodynamic output during fibrillation, hemodynamically compromising tachycardia, or asystole. Forcing fields are applied to the heart to give cardiac output on an emergency basis until the arrhythmia ceases or other intervention takes place. The device is used as a stand alone external or internal device, or as a backup to an ICD, atrial defibrillator, or an anti-tachycardia pacemaker. The method and apparatus maintain some cardiac output and not necessarily defibrillation.

Abstract: An electrical method and apparatus for stimulating cardiac cells causing contraction to force hemodynamic output during fibrillation, hemodynamically compromising tachycardia, or asystole. High level electrical fields are applied to the heart to give cardiac output on an emergency basis until the arrhythmia ceases or other intervention takes place. The device is used as a stand alone external or internal device, or as a backup to an ICD, atrial defibrillator, or an anti-tachycardia pacemaker. The method and apparatus maintain some cardiac output and not necessarily defibrillation.

Abstract: An atrial arrythmia sensor and drug dispensing apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a multiphase, multistage intelligent system to monitor and treat atrial fibrillation. The apparatus includes atrial rate sensing means, cardiac pacing and antitachycardia pacing means, drug delivery means including a self-cleaning catheter line with multi-drug dispensing capability preferably operated using a dual pump arrangement and an iontophoretic device. The drug delivery system may also include a porous catheter to discharge drug into the atrium. The intelligent system includes a memory implemented logic (software) to continuously monitor the atrial rate and initiate a response of either cardiac pacing, antitachycardia pacing or drug dispensing based on preset cardiac activity parameters. The system also includes a medical history recording feature.

Abstract: An implantable device for, in the event of ventricular fibrillation, temporarily electrically forcing cardiac output to maintain life and consciousness in a patient until the patient is rescued by an external defibrillator. The device uses moderate voltage output pulses of 30-200 V which are sufficient to cause a partial contraction of the heart even if it is fibrillating. These pulses are not typically sufficient to defibrillate the heart and this device cannot substitute as a defibrillator. However, the moderate voltage pulsing will generate enough cardiac output to keep the patient alive. The system is designed with sufficient battery power for years of monitoring and hours of cardiac output forcing operation.

Abstract: An implantable device for temporarily maintaining cardiac output through the use of electrical forcing fields in the event of an atrial defibrillation shock causing ventricular fibrillation. The device includes an atrial defibrillator. In the event that an atrial defibrillation shock causes a ventricular fibrillation the apparatus and method then delivers a continuous train of modest voltage pulses to force partial cardiac contractions to maintain life and consciousness until the patient can receive external defibrillation.

Abstract: An electrical method and apparatus for stimulating cardiac cells causing contraction to force hemodynamic output during fibrillation, hemodynamically compromising tachycardia, or asystole. High level electrical fields are applied to the heart to give cardiac output on an emergency basis until the arrhythmia ceases or other intervention takes place. The device is used as a stand alone external or internal device, or as a backup to an ICD, atrial defibrillator, or an anti-tachycardia pacemaker. The method and apparatus maintain some cardiac output and not necessarily defibrillation.