Externally-secured medical device

An externally-secured medical device (ESMD) configured to be securely affixed to skin of a patient, the ESMD comprising:

• a sensing module configured to sense cardiac activity and detect arrhythmia;
• at least one pad configured to be directly secured to the skin of the patient, the at least one pad comprising at least one charge storage element operatively connected to at least one switch, a battery configured to provide power to the ESMD and to charge the at least one charge storage element, at least one electrode configured to deliver stimulation therapy to the skin of the patient along at least one vector through cardiac tissue, and at least one control unit operatively connected to the at least one charge storage element, the switch, the battery, and the at least one electrode, wherein the control unit is configured to control operation of the ESMD to deliver the stimulation therapy when the arrhythmia is detected;
• an adhesion component provided on a patient-engaging surface of the at least one pad configured to securely affix the at least one pad in a persistent and enduring manner to the skin of the patient;
• and
• wherein the at least one pad and the at least one electrode are directly secured to the skin of the patient through the adhesion component.