Abstract: In order to set the current distribution of a defibrillation pulse supplied to the heart in a simple manner, a defibrillator/cardioverter has n electrodes disposed for electrically stimulating the heart, and a pulse generator for generating electrical pulses having n-1 outputs connected in series, and a total of n output terminals, to which the n electrodes are respectively connected. The pulse generator simultaneously generates an electrical pulse at each of its outputs.

Abstract: An implantable defibrillator has a capacitor which, through a controllable switch arrangement, can either be connected to a voltage source for charging the capacitor, or connected across electrodes placed at the heart for delivering a defibrillation pulse. To calculate the minimum pulse energy required for successful defibrillation, ventricular fibrillation is first induced, so that a plurality of defibrillation attempts, with energy increasing from attempt-to-attempt can be undertaken until successful defibrillation occurs. For inducing ventricular fibrillation, the capacitor of the implantable defibrillator is connected to the voltage source until a prescribed charging voltage, which is significantly below the voltage necessary for defibrillation, is reached, and subsequently, the capacitor is disconnected from the voltage source during brief time spans at intervals within the framework of a sequence and is connected during those time spans to the electrodes.

Abstract: A heart pacemaker has a pulse generator and circuitry for measuring a respiration signal of the user and a control unit for controlling the pulse generator by changing the pulse repetition rate dependent on the respiration signal. A heart action detector is provided for acquiring heart action signals and the respiration signal measuring circuitry includes detectors for measuring the amplitude fluctuations in the heart action signal and supplying those fluctuations to the control unit.