Author(s)

T.J. Gale, D. Kilpatrick, P.R. Johnston & P.M. Nickolls

Abstract

A three-dimensional boundary element model of the electric field from implantable defibrillators T.J. Gale, D. Kilpatrick, P.R. Johnston & P.M. Nickolls Department of Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia ABSTRACT The delivery of high energy shocks from implantable defibrillators is largely influenced by the design and configuration of the delivery electrodes. To optimise electrode design and placement, a 3-D boundary element model of the electric field from implantable defibrillators was developed. The model used approximately 3500 constant quadrilateral elements, constructed from MRI scans, and consisted of eight isotropic regions that represented the chest, heart, left and right blood chambers and vessels, lungs, spine and sternum. Additional regions represented epicardial, endocardial and sub- cutaneous electrodes. The governing Laplace equation was solved to find potentials and gradients throughout the thorax. This paper discusses the implem

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