External ventricular defibrillation with a five element cluster electrode

A well-described bovine model of transthoracic defibrillation was used to test a new concept in external defibrillation electrodes, that will allow the acquisition of a 12 lead ECG and effective defibrillation from the same electrodes. This study compared the ability to defibrillate via pairs of cluster electrodes (composed of 5 smaller electrodes each), with that of pairs of standard self-adhesive electrodes with equal total surface area. We found that defibrillation was achievable with the cluster electrodes at reasonable energy levels. The mean ED50 current was 32% higher with the cluster electrodes, while the mean resistance was 14% lower. By varying the orientation of the elements of the cluster and by varying the size of the elements in the cluster, we are confident of achieving effective defibrillation and the ability to acquire a 12 lead ECG from the same electrodes