A microcomputer-controlled cardiac stimulator.
Detailed investigation of abnormal heart rhythms requires electrical stimulators that can deliver sophisticated sequences of stimuli to the heart under controlled laboratory conditions. A dual-channel stimulator that provides an appropriate hardware interface between a controlling microcomputer and the patient is described. The computer gives the system power and flexibility and, most importantly, provides a suitable user interface. The hardware interface is designed to have an ergonomic division between set-up and run-time tasks. Both software and hardware are discussed, and clinical examples of typical usage of the stimulator are given.
Cochrane
T
T
Department of Medical Physics and Clinical Engineering, Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Sheffield, UK.
Thorne
P M
PM
Freeston
I L
IL
D002304:Cardiac Pacing, Artificial; D003936:Diagnosis, Computer-Assisted; D004558:Electric Stimulation / Q000295:instrumentation*; D004562:Electrocardiography; D006801:Humans; D008838:Microcomputers; D012984:Software; D013610:Tachycardia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy; D014584:User-Computer Interface