Abstract: A device for detecting and measuring a change in angular position with respect to a reference plane is useful in surgical procedures for orienting various instruments, prosthesis, and implants with respect to anatomical landmarks. One embodiment of the device uses three orthogonal rate sensors, along with integrators and averagers, to determine angular position changes using rate of change information. A display provides position changes from a reference position. Various alignment guides are useful with surgical instruments to obtain a reference plane.

Abstract: A circuit for producing an arbitrary defibrillator waveform using switching techniques which reduce the usual high current or high voltage stress on the switching element. This allows existing semiconductor devices to be used in an application previously closed to them. The result is a defibrillator able to produce desirable rectangular waveforms without the waste of energy found in existing approaches. This allows the use of a smaller energy storage capacitor for a given delivered energy. The application discussed here is a cardiac defibrillator but the techniques presented could be applied to other power conversion situations.

Abstract: A circuit for producing an arbitrary defibrillator waveform using switching techniques which reduce the usual high current or high voltage stress on the switching element. This allows existing semiconductor devices to be used in an application previously closed to them. The result is a defibrillator able to produce desirable rectangular waveforms without the waste of energy found in existing approaches. This allows the use of a smaller energy storage capacitor for a given delivered energy. The application discussed here is a cardiac defibrillator but the techniques presented could be applied to other power conversion situations.

Abstract: A patient-worn energy delivery apparatus for imparting electrical therapy to the body of a patient responsive to an occurrence of a treatable condition includes a voltage converter for converting electrical energy from an initial voltage to a final voltage, and a defibrillator electrically coupled between the converter and the patient and having an energy reservoir for receiving the electrical energy. The defibrillator produces preshaped electrical pulses such as defibrillation pulses and cardioversion pulses. The apparatus additionally includes an energy delivery controller electrically coupled to the patient and the converter and the defibrillator. The controller causes the converter to provide the electrical energy to the defibrillator at a specific charging rate in response to an energy level in the reservoir. The apparatus may include a plurality of electrodes interposed between the defibrillator and the patient and each electrode preferably has an impedance reducing means contained therein.