300 results about "Electrical shock" patented technology

A variety of arrangements and methods relating to a defibrillator are described. In one aspect of the invention, a defibrillator includes two paddles that each include a defibrillator electrode covered in a protective housing. The two paddles are sealed together using a releasable seal to form a paddle module such that the housings of the paddles form the exterior of the paddle module. An electrical system including at least a battery and a capacitor is electrically coupled with the paddles. The battery is arranged to charge the capacitor. The capacitor is arranged to apply a voltage at the defibrillator electrodes, which generates an electrical shock for arresting a cardiac arrhythmia.

A system for treating the heart includes a cardiac harness associated with a cardiac rhythm management devise which does not have a lead system. The cardiac harness applies a compressive force on the heart during diastole and systole, and the cardiac rhythm management devise will deliver an electrical shock to the heart for defibrillation and / or can be used for pacing / sensing. The cardiac harness and cardiac rhythm management devise are both delivered and implanted by minimally invasive access.

Techniques are provided for use with an implantable medical device such as a pacemaker or implantable cardioverter / defibrillator (ICD) for predicting and detecting hypoglycemia. In one example, the device tracks changes in a paced depolarization integral (PDI). A significant increase in PDI over a relatively short period of time indicates the onset of hypoglycemia (this can also be confirmed with QT changes). Upon detection of hypoglycemia, appropriate warning signals are generated to alert the patient. Certain therapies automatically provided by the implantable device may also be controlled in response to hypoglycemia. For example, if the patient is an insulin-dependent diabetic and the implantable device is equipped with an insulin pump capable of delivering insulin directly into the bloodstream, insulin delivery is automatically suspended until blood glucose levels return to acceptable levels. If the device is an ICD, it may be controlled to begin charging defibrillation capacitors upon detection of hypoglycemia so as to permit prompt delivery of a defibrillation shock, which may be needed if hypoglycemia triggers ventricular fibrillation. The detection techniques may be used in conjunction with other hypoglycemia detection techniques to improve detection specificity.

An apparatus and method for delivering electrical shock therapy in order to treat atrial tachyarrhythmias such as fibrillation in which atrial defibrillation pulses are delivered within a maximum pre-shock R—R synchronization interval. The method has been found to reduce the incidence of early recurrence of atrial fibrillation (ERAF).

A personal alarm system includes a monitoring base station and one or more remote sensing units in two-way radio communication. An electronic handshake between the base station and each remote unit is used to assure system reliability. The remote units transmit at selectable power levels. In the absence of an emergency, a remote unit transmits at a power-conserving low power level. Received field strength is measured to determine whether a remote unit has moved beyond a predetermined distance from the base station. If the distance is exceeded, the remote unit transmits at a higher power level. The remote unit includes sensors for common hazards including water emersion, smoke, excessive heat, excessive carbon monoxide concentration, and electrical shock. The base station periodically polls the remote units and displays the status of the environmental sensors. The system is useful in child monitoring, for use with invalids, and with employees involved in activities which expose them to environmental risk. Alternative embodiments include a panic button on the remote unit for summoning help, and an audible beacon on the remote unit which can be activated from the base station and useful for locating strayed children. In another embodiment, the remote unit includes a Global Positioning System receiver providing location information for display by the base station.

An audio system includes an earplug with a speaker to deliver sound to the ear, and / or a microphone which captures sound in the ear canal, and an earmuff is worn over the earplug. The earplug receives sound signals from the earmuff (and / or transmits captured sound signals to the earmuff) by translating such sound signals into light signals which are transmitted over a free space situated between the earmuff and earplug. The light signals are then received at the earplug and / or earmuff and converted to electrical signals which may be further transmitted (e.g., from the earmuff to some external communications device) or converted to sound (e.g., in the earplug by having the electrical signals drive an earplug speaker). If power is required by the earplug, the need for on-board power sources may be avoided by converting light transmitted from the earmuff into power at the earplug. Electrical shock and physical snag hazards are avoided, and the earmuff is easily put on and removed, owing to the lack of wires or other physical connections between the earplug and earmuff. Additionally, by avoiding wires or radio transmission between the earplug and earmuff, electromagnetic interference may be reduced.

An apparatus and method for delivering electrical shock therapy in order to treat atrial tachyarrhythmias such as fibrillation utilizes a dynamically varying threshold to detect R-waves and synchronously deliver a defibrillation shock.

A safety device can provide electrical shock protection for an electrical appliance. Voltage sensors can monitor voltage levels among a power conductor, a neutral conductor, and a ground conductor. When sensed voltages indicate that these conductors are properly wired to an electrical power utility, inline switches can close to allow power to pass through the safety device to the appliance. When one or more of the sensed voltages indicates that the power level is too low to operate the appliance, one or more switches of the safety device can open to block power from passing through to the appliance. When one or more of the sensed voltages indicates that an electrical problem posing a shock hazard exists in the electrical appliance, one or more switches of the safety device can open to interrupt power from transmitting to the appliance.

A method and apparatus to improve the atomization of liquid and the efficiency of depositing liquid particles onto target objects, or to coat the target object with a thin film of liquid, to reduce the risk of high-voltage electrical shock, and to reduce the weight of an electrostatic spray system has been developed by inducing electrostatic charges onto the atomized liquid particles sprayed from a grounded metal nozzle.

An improved electrical stun weapon for the temporary immobilization of a living being, in which the power source, electronics package, trigger mechanism and discharge contacts are securely contained within an insulated glove worn on the human hand. The stun weapon employs a simple and durable triggering mechanism allowing it to be armed and ready for use while permitting its user to engage a combatant or handle a detainee with both hands free. The stun weapon comprises a widened discharge gap and variable power settings providing improved stun effectiveness and improved control over the stun application.

An electrical outlet cover having a pair of floating socket covers which are resiliently urged toward a first position wherein holes in the floating socket covers are not aligned with holes in the electrical outlet. The floating socket cover must be rotated from the first position to a second position wherein holes in the socket cover are aligned with holes in the cover and then pushed toward the socket for moving prongs on the plug into holes in the socket. While prongs on the plug are moving into holes on the socket the prongs are covered by the floating socket covers to prevent electrical shock resulting from touching prongs of a plug that is partially plugged into the electrical socket.

A multifunctional firefighter's tool has a head mounted on an elongated handle which is covered with an electrical and thermal insulator to minimize the occurrence of heat and electrical shocks to the user. An axe blade with a polygonal aperture sized to engage a typical gas valve is formed on one side of the head, the aperture having small bulbous cutouts at the vertices of the polygon. A cutout which is shaped as the mouth of a wrench is also formed at an edge of the head, the mouth defining two stepped surfaces to provide a multi-sized wrench. A spanner wrench sized for coupling and decoupling water hoses is formed on the other side of the head relative to the longitudinal axis of the handle, the spanner wrench being defined by a pry bar portion and a hook portion formed at an appropriate distance from the pry bar portion.

There is provided a device and system for restraining detainees through devices attached to the detainees and configured to administer electrical shocks when certain predetermined conditions occur. Restraining devices may be activated by internal control systems or by external controllers that transmit activation signals to the restraining device. External controllers may be actuated by an external controlling entity such as a detention guard or other person or system, or may be controlled by an enabling signal sent by wired or wireless connections to the controller. There is also provided a system for detainee restraint where multiple detainees may be restrained collectively or individually in a controlled environment such as a detention facility, a jail, or a detainee transport vehicle.

A magnetic disk device protection mechanism comprises a sensor that acquires information on changes in the environment of a magnetic disk device, a sensor driver, a shock manager that analyzes the information acquired by the sensor driver together with a history of the information to determine the status where the magnetic disk device is used to predict a shock, and an HDD filter driver that controls operations of the magnetic disk device including the escape of a magnetic head. The magnetic disk device can also comprise a diagnosis processing section that operates if a shock has occurred actually, to check whether or not the magnetic head could have completely escaped before the occurrence of this shock to carry out diagnosis as to whether or not a fault is occurring in the magnetic disk.

A projectile launched from a conventional weapon; upon impact with a human target the projectile attaches to the target and stuns and disables the target by applying a pulsed electrical charge. The electric round is defined as non lethal ammunition directed to incapacitate a human, to prevent him from moving for a short time, to prevent him from committing a crime and to allow authorized personnel to arrest the target. A novel thin film technology transformer and thin film technology battery produce an electrical shock capable of stunning a human being in a device the size of a conventional bullet. The transformer and battery are smaller and lighter than conventional transformers and batteries with similar power output.

A method for soft tissue destruction comprises applying high voltage pulses causing irreversible electroporation alternating with low amplitude pulses of opposite polarity balanced to provide negligible average current and minimize risk of electrical shock. The method may be accompanied by tissue heating to reduce the electroporation threshold and negative pressure for skin shaping and optimal voltage distribution.

The modular personal defense device is a hard, rigid, elongate baton that is capable of imparting impact force to an assailant or threat. The exterior may include a series of strengthening ribs, which may also impart further damage to an assailant. The interior is an essentially hollow cylinder configured to accept one of a series of modules. The modules are essentially externally physically identical, but include different electronic circuitry and mechanisms to provide different functions. A silicone controlled rectifier (SCR) electronic stun circuit is provided by one module, for imparting a stunning electrical shock and dissuading an assailant(s) due to the electrical arc produced. Another module produces an extremely bright light either continuously or in rapid pulses, to blind and disorient an assailant. Yet another module produces a piercing sound, while still other modules may be fitted axially or radially to the device to transmit an irritant spray.

RF energy for skin conditioning with a non-ablative electrode is applied with a handpiece incorporating means to prevent electrical shock to the patient when the energized electrode surface makes or breaks contact with the skin. In a preferred embodiment, switch means are incorporated in the handpiece and configured such that the active electrode surface is not energized until it is in actual contact with the patient's skin, and remains energized only while the active electrode surface remains in contact with the patient's skin, so that no voltage is present on the electrode, when an air gap whose dielectric breakdown can cause an electrical shock to the patient arises, immediately before or immediately after skin contact during a skin conditioning procedure. In another preferred embodiment, the electrode to skin impedance change as the electrode touches the skin is used to activate a switch that transfers RF to the electrode.

A system and method for remote guidance of a dog or other suitable animal to and from a selected location using GPS related triangulation methods. The system using a series of audible cues or electrical shocks to guide the dog from a current location to a target location by continually monitoring the current GPS location of the dog and establishing a waypoint target for the animal as it moves. The system issues cues such as audible signals to control the dog and keep it confined within a suitable corridor so that the next waypoint may be attained. Using the invention, a dog owner can control the movement of the dog as the owner moves in its proximity, thereby creating an invisible tether or “virtual leash” or to the animal.

A system for treating the heart includes a cardiac harness associated with a cardiac rhythm management devise which includes at least electrodes and a power source. The cardiac harness applies a compressive force on the heart during diastole and systole. The electrodes will deliver an electrical shock to the heart for defibrillation and / or can be used for pacing / sensing. The cardiac harness and electrodes are delivered and implanted on the heart by minimally invasive access.

An electronic fence system comprises a fence wire which radiates a radio signal for defining a boundary; a transmitter electrically connected to the fence wire and transmitting a boundary radio signal including a mode selection signal; and a receiver attached to the pet, that receives the boundary defining signal, and that generates either electrical shock only, or a combination of electrical shock and vibration, or electrical shock and vibration as well as sound depending on the mode selection signal. If the pet has a hearing loss, or the circumference is noisy, a warning signal can be given through a touch to the skin of the pet. Since a vibration is applied first, and the shock follows it, no severe shock need be applied to the pet that will return into the confined area after having received a vibration. A pet's activity is restricted in a predetermined area.

A personal alarm system includes a monitoring base station and one or more remote sensing units in two-way radio communication. An electronic handshake between the base station and each remote unit is used to assure system reliability. The remote units transmit at selectable power levels. In the absence of an emergency, a remote unit transmits at a power-conserving low power level. Received field strength is measured to determine whether a remote unit has moved beyond a predetermined distance from the base station. If the distance is exceeded, the remote unit transmits at a higher power level. The remote unit includes sensors for common hazards including water emersion, smoke, excessive heat, excessive carbon monoxide concentration, and electrical shock. The base station periodically polls the remote units and displays the status of the environmental sensors. The system is useful in child monitoring, for use with invalids, and with employees involved in activities which expose them to environmental risk. Alternative embodiments include a panic button on the remote unit for summoning help, and an audible beacon on the remote unit which can be activated from the base station and useful for locating strayed children. In another embodiment, the remote unit includes a Global Positioning System receiver providing location information for display by the base station.

A system for treating the heart includes a cardiac harness associated with a cardiac rhythm management device which includes at least one electrode associated with the cardiac harness, epicardial leads attached directly to the heart, and a power source connected to the leads. The system may also include transvenous leads that are located within a chamber of the heart and attached to the power source. The cardiac harness applies a compressive force on the heart during diastole and systole, and the electrodes will deliver an electrical shock to the heart for defibrillation and / or can be used for pacing / sensing. The cardiac harness and electrodes are delivered and implanted on the heart by minimally invasive access.

An apparatus and method for delivering electrical shock therapy in order to treat atrial tachyarrhythmias such as fibrillation in which the energy stored in a capacitor used to deliver a shock pulse is monitored and adjusted. A charging circuit is used to charge the capacitor from a supply voltage upon detection of an atrial arrhythmia, and a controller monitors sensed ventricular depolarizations until R-wave synchrony requirements are met so that an atrial shock pulse can be safely delivered. The controller also attempts to maintain the voltage of the capacitor at a specified voltage before delivery of the shock pulse by operation of the charging circuit.

Apparatus, devices, and methods for providing a voltage reduction capability in a welding power source for safety purposes. The resistive load and the output voltage of the welding power source output are monitored and compared to predefined or preselected threshold values to generate a load condition signal and an output voltage condition signal (e.g., logic signals). The load condition signal and the output voltage condition signal serve as inputs to a voltage reduction device control logic which generates control signals to enable and disable the input and output of the welding power source according to the defined control logic. As a result, an extra measure of safety in preventing electrical shock is provided to users of the welding power source during hazardous operating conditions.

A system and method are provided for using neuromodulation techniques and intravesical electrical stimulation to treat Urinary Incontinence and related bladder-system conditions. The system uses an electrical stimulation module, stimulation electrodes and catheters, and / or a measurement and feedback system to determine an electrical stimulation therapy program as a function of a pre-programmed library and, optionally, measured and patient-provided response data. IVES and other electrical stimulation signals are generated and conveyed to the patient via catheter electrodes placed in and around the bladder system and related nerves, nodes and motor control points. The system employs a variety of safety mechanisms, including safety algorithms, a one-time use catheter connection, and catheter electrical-shock protection mechanisms.

A system for treating the heart includes a cardiac harness associated with a cardiac rhythm management devise which includes at least electrodes and a power source. The cardiac harness applies a compressive force on the heart during diastole and systole. The electrodes will deliver an electrical shock to the heart for defibrillation and / or can be used for pacing / sensing. The cardiac harness and electrodes are delivered and implanted on the heart by minimally invasive access.