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The physics behind the electrical life savers, defibrillators
“Defibrillation has become an integral part of the emergency response routine. In fact, the American Heart Association considers defibrillation a basic life support skill for paramedics and rescue workers.” (DIRECT QUOTE)
The human heart is arguably the most vital organ of the human body, as its coordinated and controlled two-part pumping is necessary to supply blood to the entire body. This supply rate is regulated by the pacemaker region of the heart, in the right atrium (chamber), by detecting a diffusion of ions, causing a rhythmic electrical impulse. Ventricular fibrillation is an irregular heart rate caused by malfunctions of these impulses that can be treated, and …show more content…
These components generally include a power supply, a capacitor, an inductor, a switch and a set of paddles, acting as electrodes. A diagram of this circuit can be seen below.
The switch (A & B) determines whether the defibrillator is charging or discharging. When ‘A’ is closed, the capacitor is connected to the DC power supply, allowing the current to travel through the first loop, charging the capacitor. This continues until the capacitor voltage is equal to the power supply voltage. During discharge, when the patient is undergoing defibrillation, closing ‘B’ completes the circuit and the capacitor’s stored energy is discharged through the paddles to the heart. An inductor is utilised in this second circuit to maintain the current, as to fully depolarize the muscle the current must last several milliseconds. The amount of energy delivered to the heart can be calculated by multiplying the charge on either capacitor plate, by the power supply voltage, and dividing the product by two. This value ranges from 30 - 400 Joules, depending on the necessary voltage selected by the …show more content…
However, there are still risks involved with using a defibrillator, whether externally or internally. These risks include the potential of the operator to be shocked, the patient to be burned or brain damaged during shock and the risk of premature or unnecessary shock, leading to bodily harm. Future designs should be explored to eventually eliminate the risk of the operator being shocked, which has been researched utilising a ‘Y’ shaped cable, more sensors added to AEDs and ICDs to read other vital signs, improved reliability and power factors within capacitors, increased efficiency of transformers and increased battery storage through the introduction of metal
The physics behind the electrical life savers, defibrillators
“Defibrillation has become an integral part of the emergency response routine. In fact, the American Heart Association considers defibrillation a basic life support skill for paramedics and rescue workers.” (DIRECT QUOTE)
The human heart is arguably the most vital organ of the human body, as its coordinated and controlled two-part pumping is necessary to supply blood to the entire body. This supply rate is regulated by the pacemaker region of the heart, in the right atrium (chamber), by detecting a diffusion of ions, causing a rhythmic electrical impulse. Ventricular fibrillation is an irregular heart rate caused by malfunctions of these impulses that can be treated, and …show more content…
These components generally include a power supply, a capacitor, an inductor, a switch and a set of paddles, acting as electrodes. A diagram of this circuit can be seen below.
The switch (A & B) determines whether the defibrillator is charging or discharging. When ‘A’ is closed, the capacitor is connected to the DC power supply, allowing the current to travel through the first loop, charging the capacitor. This continues until the capacitor voltage is equal to the power supply voltage. During discharge, when the patient is undergoing defibrillation, closing ‘B’ completes the circuit and the capacitor’s stored energy is discharged through the paddles to the heart. An inductor is utilised in this second circuit to maintain the current, as to fully depolarize the muscle the current must last several milliseconds. The amount of energy delivered to the heart can be calculated by multiplying the charge on either capacitor plate, by the power supply voltage, and dividing the product by two. This value ranges from 30 - 400 Joules, depending on the necessary voltage selected by the …show more content…
However, there are still risks involved with using a defibrillator, whether externally or internally. These risks include the potential of the operator to be shocked, the patient to be burned or brain damaged during shock and the risk of premature or unnecessary shock, leading to bodily harm. Future designs should be explored to eventually eliminate the risk of the operator being shocked, which has been researched utilising a ‘Y’ shaped cable, more sensors added to AEDs and ICDs to read other vital signs, improved reliability and power factors within capacitors, increased efficiency of transformers and increased battery storage through the introduction of metal