Abstract: A method and system for applying therapeutic electrical pulses to the heart includes a plurality of spaced apart electrodes. Each electrode in electrical communication with a pulse generator and are operative to deliver at least one energy pulse to a patient's heart. Sensors and electrical communication with a controller are operative to detect an abnormal rhythm in the patient's heart and transmit a signal to a controller to indicate an abnormal rhythmic condition. The controller is configured to receive the abnormal rhythmic signal from the sensor and cause the pulse generator to emit a sequence of spatially and temporally distinct pulses through the electrodes, each pulse passing through at least one of the electrodes.

Abstract: An electrode terminal is described for delivering a stimulation pulse to the heart or other tissues containing a linear array of fibers. The electrode terminal is elongated and adapted for orientation in a direction parallel to the tissue fibers. The device of the present invention further includes a power source for electrically energizing the terminal such that the energization of the terminal reduces the nonuniformity of the transmembrane voltage change in the tissue proximate the electrode which is produced during the stimulation pulse. Nonuniform transmembrane voltage changes are associated with arrhythmic conditions. The linear electrode of the present invention can be used for cardiac pacing, defibrillation, and the termination of tachycardia.