| 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. |