A wearable therapeutic device includes an external defibrillator configured to monitor electrical heart activity of a patient and a garment housing a first therapy electrode and a second therapy electrode. The first and second therapy electrodes are electrically coupled to the defibrillator. The garment releasably receives a plurality of replaceable receptacles configured to store a conductive gel in locations proximate to the therapy electrodes. A plurality of gas cartridges each disposed on one of the plurality of replaceable receptacles are configured to control a release of the stored conductive gel of the associated one of the plurality of replaceable receptacles by igniting. A plurality of conductive gel firing circuits each associated with and separate from each of the plurality of replaceable receptacles are configured to be operatively coupled to the gas cartridge to control the release of the stored conductive gel upon information being communicated from the external defibrillator.

The present invention provides both methods and devices for termination of arrhythmias, such as ventricular or atrial tachyarrhythmias. The device and method involves application of alternating current (AC) for clinically significant durations at selected therapeutic frequencies through the cardiac tissue to a subject experiencing arrhythmia. Methods are also provided to minimize or eliminate pain during defibrillation.

A defibrillation system for synchronized cardioversion of a patient includes a first housing that includes a measurement circuit configured to receive electrocardiogram (ECG) signals and measure ECG parameters based on the ECG signals, and a first processor configured to analyze the ECG parameters, and initiate communication of a synchronization signal for a second processor for delivery of one or more defibrillation pulses and further includes a second housing that is separate from and external to the first housing and that includes a shock delivery circuit, and the second processor which is configured to receive the communication of the synchronization signal from the first processor, and control the shock delivery circuit to deliver the one or more defibrillation pulses in response to the synchronization signal.

Methods and apparatus for a three-stage atrial cardioversion therapy that treats atrial arrhythmias within pain tolerance thresholds of a patient. An implantable therapy generator adapted to generate and selectively deliver a three-stage atrial cardioversion therapy and at least two leads, each having at least one electrode adapted to be positioned proximate the atrium of the patient. The device is programmed for delivering a three-stage atrial cardioversion therapy via both a far-field configuration and a near-field configuration of the electrodes upon detection of an atrial arrhythmia. The three-stage atrial cardioversion therapy includes a first stage for unpinning of one or more singularities associated with an atrial arrhythmia, a second stage for anti-repinning of the one or more singularities, both of which are delivered via the far-field configuration of the electrodes, and a third stage for extinguishing of the one or more singularities delivered via the near-field configuration of the electrodes.

A wearable monitoring and therapeutic device includes at least two sensing electrodes, including at least one of conductive thread sewn into a garment and/or a metallic surface sewn into the garment. The device includes at least two therapy electrodes and the garment, wherein the garment is configured to be worn about a torso of a subject. The garment includes a breathable and stretchable fabric, an elastic material, and a loose material. The device includes at least one defibrillator component including a power source, a conductive wiring configured to stretch to accommodate the subject's chest size and enhance comfort and couple any of the at least two therapy electrodes and the at least two sensing electrodes to the at least one defibrillator component, an alarm module operatively coupled to the at least one defibrillator component, and one or more response buttons operatively coupled to that at least one defibrillator component.

Methods and apparatus for a three-stage ventricular cardioversion and defibrillation therapy that treats ventricular tachycardia and fibrillation at low energy levels. An implantable therapy generator adapted to generate and selectively deliver a three-stage ventricular therapy and at least two leads operably each having at least one electrode adapted to be positioned proximate the ventricle of the patient. The device is programmed to deliver a three-stage therapy via both a far-field configuration and a near-field configuration of the electrodes upon detection of a ventricular arrhythmia. The three-stage therapy includes a first stage for unpinning of one or more singularities associated with the ventricular arrhythmia, a second stage for anti-repinning of the one or more singularities, both of which are delivered via the far-field configuration of the electrodes, and a third stage for extinguishing of the one or more singularities associated delivered via the near-field configuration of the electrodes.

The present invention provides both methods and devices for termination of arrhythmias, such as ventricular or atrial tachyarrhythmias. The device and method involves application of alternating current (AC) for clinically significant durations at selected therapeutic frequencies through the cardiac tissue to a subject experiencing arrhythmia. Methods are also provided to minimize or eliminate pain during defibrillation.

A novel therapeutic biphasic or multiphasic pulse waveform and method are provided. The novel therapeutic biphasic or multiphasic pulse waveform may be used in a defibrillator, or in another medical device that delivers therapeutic electrical stimulation pulses to a patient.

A subcutaneous device that includes an electronics-containing housing and a clip configured to anchor the device to an internal structural body component of a patient is injected and anchored to the structural body component. An instrument pre-loaded with the device is caused to be inserted through an incision in the patient and advanced to the structural body component. A pushing force is received on the instrument that causes the clip of the device to be pushed onto the structural body component so that the structural body component is located in a sandwiching region between a top portion of the clip and the housing of the device. Force is applied to the structural body component between the top portion of the clip and the housing of the device to anchor the device to the structural body component.

A subcutaneously implantable device includes a housing, a clip attached to a top side of the housing that is configured to anchor the device to a bone, and an electrode that is configured to contact an organ. The clip includes a top portion that is rigid, a bottom portion that is rigid, and an intermediate portion between the top portion and the bottom portion that is configured to permit movement of the top portion with respect to the bottom portion and thereby apply force onto the bone between the top portion and the bottom portion.