High-energy, high-frequency pulse defibrillator

A method of applying a high-energy, high-frequency pulse across a heart for restoring effective cardiac rhythm, said method comprising the steps of:

• charging a capacitor to an initial voltage level sufficient to shock the heart, the capacitor having a first terminal and a second terminal;
• applying the potential at the first terminal of the capacitor to a first cardiac-tissue contact point;
• applying the potential at the second terminal of the capacitor to a second cardiac-tissue contact point;
• initiating the discharge of the capacitor;
• and
• periodically interchanging the potentials at the first and second terminals of the capacitor during discharge of the capacitor to produce a waveform comprising a plurality of cycles each having a positive portion and a negative portion, wherein the potentials are interchanged such that the cumulative energy of the positive portions is substantially equal to the cumulative energy of the negative portions.

An apparatus for applying a high-energy, high-frequency pulse of energy across a heart for restoring effective cardiac rhythm, said apparatus comprising:

• a capacitor having a first terminal and a second terminal;
• a battery for charging the capacitor to an initial voltage level sufficient to shock the heart;
• a first electrode for contacting a first cardiac-tissue contact point, the first electrode responsive to one of either the first or second terminals of the capacitor;
• a second electrode for contacting a second cardiac-tissue contact point, the second electrode responsive to one of either the first or second terminals of the capacitor;
• a switching circuit for connecting the first electrode to the first terminal of the capacitor and the second electrode to the second terminal of the capacitor and periodically interchanging the connections;
• and
• a controller for controlling the switching circuit during discharge of the capacitor to produce a waveform comprising a plurality of cycles each having a positive portion and a negative portion, wherein the connections are interchanged such that the cumulative energy of the positive portions is substantially equal to the cumulative energy of the negative portions.

An apparatus for applying a high-energy, high-frequency pulse across a heart for restoring effective cardiac rhythm, said apparatus comprising:

• a waveform generator for producing a high-frequency cyclic waveform comprising a plurality of waveform cycles, each cycle having a positive portion and a negative portion;
• a controller responsive to the cyclic waveform for outputting a high-energy pulse comprising a plurality of substantially complete waveform cycles such that the pulse has an equal number of positive portions and negative portions, at least one waveform cycle having a peak-to-peak voltage sufficient to shock the heart;
• a first electrode for contacting a first cardiac-tissue contact point, the first electrode responsive to the controller;
• and
• a second electrode for contacting a second cardiac-tissue contact point, the second electrode responsive to a substantially constant potential.