Optimization of the defibrillation current density in the heart region by a two-layer segmented electrode

Abstract

Transthoracic defibrillation is a procedure applying high intensity electrical current through the thorax region by electrodes, in order to simultaneously activate most of the myocardial cells, thus enforcing them to reinstate a normal rhythm. A solution is proposed for analysis and synthesis of the current density distribution field J in the heart region. In an attempt to reach uniform excitation of the greatest possible quantity of myocardial cells, a field image is searched for, with the J-vector uniformity distribution as a criterion. The finite element method and the method of approximating functions are used, as well as nonlinear programming. This approach resulted in designing a two-layer defibrillation electrode, with the layer applied to the thorax divided in three different resistivity regions.