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A Versatile Cardiac Electrical Stimulator for Clinical and Experimental Use
Author(s) -
TOL R.R.,
GRIMBERGEN C.A.
Publication year - 1982
Publication title -
pacing and clinical electrophysiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.686
H-Index - 101
eISSN - 1540-8159
pISSN - 0147-8389
DOI - 10.1111/j.1540-8159.1982.tb06566.x
Subject(s) - microcomputer , medicine , computer hardware , generator (circuit theory) , software , simple (philosophy) , stimulation , nerve stimulator , electrical engineering , computer science , biomedical engineering , operating system , telecommunications , anesthesia , engineering , chip , power (physics) , physics , philosophy , epistemology , quantum mechanics
A cardiac electrical stimulator developed for clinical und laboratory applications is described. The stimulator has 5 separate generators and 4 output channels. The generator settings are defined by the operator using a special keyboard, with the same structure as a television screen on which all the parameters are displayed. A number of user‐specified settings can be stored in the apparatus and are available within seconds. Several programming modes provide a simple way to determine stimulation thresholds and/or refractory periods. Hardware and software security checks prevent dangerous stimulation in case of malfunction or erroneous settings. The stimulator control unit is digitally connected to constant current output stages located near the stimulation site. The stimulator functions are performed by programmable hardware controlled by a microcomputer dedicated exclusively to the presentation and inpul of stimulator settings. The application of a simple (personal) microcomputer leads to a vavorable price/performance ratio.