1. IMPLANTABLE DEFIBRILLATOR By: Victor J. Gabbidon

2. History  Research on the implantable defibrillator commenced in 1969, but it was not until 11 years later that the device was tested in a human patient.  More than a decade of research went into the system that allowed the device to detect the onset of an arrhythmia.

3. Purpose and Functionality  An implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) is a small battery powered device that is implanted in patients at high risk for sudden cardiac death.  It detects cardiac arrhythmia and generates an electrical impulse to correct it.

4. Purpose and Functionality (cont.)  Traditionally used in patients with experiencing ventricular fibrillation and ventricular tachycardia, or irregularly fast or irregularly slow heartbeat.  A clinical trial revealed that ICDs in patients with congestive heart failure reduced risk of death by 23%.

5. Design  Electrode wires are connected to the main unit and placed within a vein that leads to the heart.  These wires are what detect the arrhythmia and transfer the electric shock.

6. Limitations on device  Many say the concept of the implantable defibrillator is excessive because people do not experience ventricular fibrillation frequently  Bernard Lown, the inventor of the external defibrillator, spoke out against the device claiming it was an imperfect solutions and not a practical application.

7. Sources  http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health- topics/topics/icd/ http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health- topics/topics/icd/  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Implantable_cardiove rter-defibrillator http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Implantable_cardiove rter-defibrillator  http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/implantable- cardioverter-defibrillator/MY00336 http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/implantable- cardioverter-defibrillator/MY00336