Pulse Parameters And Electrode Configurations For Reducing Patient Discomfort From Defibrillation

A heart defibrillation system comprising:

• a defibrillator configured to be implanted in a patient, the defibrillator comprising:
• an electrode lead system having at least one lead;
• at least one sensor configured to sense a condition of a heart and emit a signal indicative of the condition;
• a controller in communication with the at least one sensor, the controller being configured to determine from the signal whether the condition of the heart is one of a state of fibrillation and emit a command signal if the condition is one of a state of fibrillation;
• a voltage generator in communication with the controller and the electrode system, the voltage generator being configured to discharge at least one defibrillation pulse to the electrode system after receiving the command signal, wherein the at least one defibrillation pulse includes at least one pulse having a voltage greater than 80 volts and a time duration up to 1000 microseconds;
• and
• a communication device disposed outside of the patient configured to communicate with the defibrillator.

A method for defibrillating a heart with an implantable defibrillator, the method comprising:

• detecting when a condition of fibrillation within the heart;
• configuring at least one electrical pulse parameter to define an electrical pulse having a voltage between 80 and 3000 volts and a duration between 30 and 1000 microseconds;
• generating a first electrical pulse in accordance with the at least one electrical pulse parameter;
• and
• discharging the first electrical pulse to the heart using an electrode lead system having at least one pair of electrodes positioned in or around the heart.

A method of reducing pain while defibrillating a ventricle of a human heart, the method comprising:

• detecting a condition of ventricular fibrillation within the heart using an implantable defibrillator;
• configuring at least one electrical pulse parameter to define an electrical pulse having a voltage between 80 and 3000 volts and a duration of 50 to 1000 microseconds;
• generating a first electrical pulse in accordance with the at least one electrical pulse parameter;
• and
• discharging the first electrical pulse from the implantable defibrillator to the heart using an electrode lead system having at least one pair of electrodes positioned in or around the heart,
• wherein a total amount of energy delivered by the first electrical pulse is less than 2 Joules.