Abstract: An apparatus and method for delivering defibrillation shock therapy employing a multi-terminal pulse output circuit. In such a circuit, at least three electrode lead terminals are switchably connected to the positive and negative terminals of an energy storage capacitor. By serially switching selected electrode lead terminals to the capacitor terminals, a variety of shock pulse waveforms may be generated.

Abstract: Miniature defibrillators and cardioverters detect abnormal heart rhythms and automatically apply electrical therapy to restore normal heart function. Critical to this function, aluminum-electrolytic capacitors store and deliver life-saving bursts of electric charge to the heart. This type of capacitor requires regular “reform” to preserve its charging efficiency over time. Because reform expends valuable battery energy, manufacturers developed wet-tantalum capacitors, which are generally understood not to require reform. Yet, the present inventors discovered through extensive study that wet-tantalum capacitors exhibit progressively worse charging efficiency over time. Accordingly, to address this problem, the inventors devised unique reform techniques for wet-tantalum capacitors.

Abstract: Miniature defibrillators and cardioverters detect abnormal heart rhythms and automatically apply electrical therapy to restore normal heart function. Critical components in these devices are aluminum electrolytic capacitors, which store and deliver one or more life-saving bursts of electric charge to a heart of a patient. This type of capacitor requires regular “reform” to preserve its charging efficiency over time. Because reform expends valuable battery life, manufacturers developed wet-tantalum capacitors, which are generally understood not to require reform. Yet, the present inventors discovered through extensive study that wet-tantalum capacitors exhibit progressively worse charging efficiency over time. Accordingly, to address this problem, the inventors devised unique reform techniques for wet-tantalum capacitors.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for delivering defibrillation shock therapy employing a multi-terminal pulse output circuit. In such a circuit, at least three electrode lead terminals are switchably connected to the positive and negative terminals of an energy storage capacitor. By serially switching selected electrode lead terminals to the capacitor terminals, a variety of shock pulse waveforms may be generated.

Abstract: A cardiac rhythm management device in which the relative depolarization times at sensing/pacing electrode sites during a cardiac contraction are determined by a bipolar sensing technique. The information gained thereby can be used to select which of the available electrodes should be used for optimal resynchronization pacing.

Abstract: Miniature defibrillators and cardioverters detect abnormal heart rhythms and automatically apply electrical therapy to restore normal heart function. Critical components in these devices are aluminum electrolytic capacitors, which store and deliver one or more life-saving bursts of electric charge to a heart of a patient. This type of capacitor requires regular “reform” to preserve its charging efficiency over time. Because reform expends valuable battery life, manufacturers developed wet-tantalum capacitors, which are generally understood not to require reform. Yet, the present inventors discovered through extensive study that wet-tantalum capacitors exhibit progressively worse charging efficiency over time. Accordingly, to address this problem, the inventors devised unique reform techniques for wet-tantalum capacitors.

Abstract: Miniature defibrillators and cardioverters detect abnormal heart rhythms and automatically apply electrical therapy to restore normal heart function. Critical to this function, aluminum-electrolytic capacitors store and deliver life-saving bursts of electric charge to the heart. This type of capacitor requires regular “reform” to preserve its charging efficiency over time. Because reform expends valuable battery energy, manufacturers developed wet-tantalum capacitors, which are generally understood not to require reform. Yet, the present inventors discovered through extensive study that wet-tantalum capacitors exhibit progressively worse charging efficiency over time. Accordingly, to address this problem, the inventors devised unique reform techniques for wet-tantalum capacitors.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for delivering defibrillation shock therapy employing a multi-terminal pulse output circuit. In such a circuit, at least three electrode lead terminals are switchably connected to the positive and negative terminals of an energy storage capacitor. By serially switching selected electrode lead terminals to the capacitor terminals, a variety of shock pulse waveforms may be generated.

Abstract: Miniature defibrillators and cardioverters detect abnormal heart rhythms and automatically apply electrical therapy to restore normal heart function. Critical to this function, aluminum-electrolytic capacitors store and deliver life-saving bursts of electric charge to the heart. This type of capacitor requires regular “reform” to preserve its charging efficiency over time. Because reform expends valuable battery energy, manufacturers developed wet-tantalum capacitors, which are generally understood not to require reform. Yet, the present inventors discovered through extensive study that wet-tantalum capacitors exhibit progressively worse charging efficiency over time. Accordingly, to address this problem, the inventors devised unique reform techniques for wet-tantalum capacitors.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for delivering defibrillation shock therapy employing a multi-terminal pulse output circuit. In such a circuit, at least three electrode lead terminals are switchably connected to the positive and negative terminals of an energy storage capacitor. By serially switching selected electrode lead terminals to the capacitor terminals, a variety of shock pulse waveforms may be generated.

Abstract: Miniature defibrillators and cardioverters detect abnormal heart rhythms and automatically apply electrical therapy to restore normal heart function. Critical components in these devices are aluminum electrolytic capacitors, which store and deliver one or more life-saving bursts of electric charge to a heart of a patient. This type of capacitor requires regular “reform” to preserve its charging efficiency over time. Because reform expends valuable battery life, manufacturers developed wet-tantalum capacitors, which are generally understood not to require reform. Yet, the present inventors discovered through extensive study that wet-tantalum capacitors exhibit progressively worse charging efficiency over time. Accordingly, to address this problem, the inventors devised unique reform techniques for wet-tantalum capacitors.

Abstract: Miniature defibrillators and cardioverters detect abnormal heart rhythms and automatically apply electrical therapy to restore normal heart function. Critical components in these devices are aluminum electrolytic capacitors, which store and deliver one or more life-saving bursts of electric charge to a heart of a patient. This type of capacitor requires regular “reform” to preserve its charging efficiency over time. Because reform expends valuable battery life, manufacturers developed wet-tantalum capacitors, which are generally understood not to require reform. Yet, the present inventors discovered through extensive study that wet-tantalum capacitors exhibit progressively worse charging efficiency over time. Accordingly, to address this problem, the inventors devised unique reform techniques for wet-tantalum capacitors.

Abstract: An integrated circuit (IC) capacitor offers reduced sensitivity to parasitic capacitance, reduced-size, and increased noise immunity, such as for use in digital-to-analog converters (DACs), analog-to-digital converters (ADCs), switched-capacitor filters, and other IC circuits. The capacitor includes a first polysilicon layer, a superjacent second polysilicon layer separated from the first polysilicon layer by an insulator, and an overlying metal layer separated from the second polysilicon layer by an insulator. The metal layer provides a shield that is connected to a known voltage, or to the first polysilicon layer. When connected to the first polysilicon layer, the overlying metal layer also provides additional parallel capacitance, thereby reducing the integrated circuit area of the capacitor. In one example, the overlying metal layer is a second metal layer that is also used, together with a first metal layer, for interconnecting IC components.