Christopher Spates

Defibrillator Timeline

  • 1899- First time ever that the idea of fibrillation was used.
  • 1930- The first defibrillator was invented invented by William B. Kouwenhoven.
  • 1955- Dr. Karl William Edmark developed a defibrillator that uses direct current other than alternating current, which was often harmful to patients.
  • 1972- The Defibrillator was first shown on a TV. It aired on the show Emergency.
  • 1976- LIFEPAK 5 defibrillator/monitor designed for paramedic use. This defibrillator was used by emergency crews, and became known for prehospital care worldwide.
  • 1989-LIFEPAK 9 defibrillator/monitor with code summary critical event record. This allowed for the first records to be produced by defibrillators.
  • 1994- LIFEPAK 11 defibrillator/monitor/pacemaker, this model offered a better screen and also had added paper to print off results.
  • 1997- Defibrillators are placed on all US airplanes in case of emergency.
  • 2002- Defibrillators become available to people at home by prescription only. The device was called Smartlink, and was approved by the food and drug administration (FDA) in November of 2002.
  • 2006- Market of Defibrillators in the United States was up to $300 Million.
  • 2008- Defibrillator monitor introduced. Allowed for a more powerful Lithium-ion battery that doubles ECG monitoring time.
  • 2010- LIFENET System 5.0 is introduced EMS and hospital care teams with reliable, quick access to clinical information on a web database to help improve patient care and operational efficiency.
  • 2011- ReadyLink 12-Lead ECG is introduced. It was handheld, portable, and easy-to-use; the revolutionary ReadyLink 12-Lead ECG captured and transmits 12-lead data to hospitals through the LIFENET System. Doctors can provide chest pain decision support, so teams in the field know exactly what kind of care the patient needs and where to take them.
  • 2012- In September of 2012 the implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) was invented. This allowed for defibrillators to be implanted into a person’s body. The device uses a monitoring system and gives off energy to shock the heart in times of emergency.
  • Present- Currently, the defibrillator has not had an impact on my life. However, knowing this device is available has given my family security knowing that in times of emergency there is hope in case of a heart stoppage.

ER show image of defibrillator

Citations:

16KWoods. "Evolution of the Defibrillator." Timetoast. Web. 28 Oct. 2014.

"Apparatus for defibrillation or cardioversion with a waveform optimized in the ……….frequency domain". Patents. 21 June 2006. 22 Oct. 2014.

Control, Physio. "LIFENET System 5.0." Flickr. Yahoo! Web. 28 Oct. 2014.

"Defibrillator Medtronic Physio-Control Lifepak 10." AED Machine. Web Widget. Web. AAAA28 Oct. 2014.

Marcus, Dr. Gregory. "Health from Trusted Sources." Implantable Cardioverter- AAAAdefibrillators (ICDs). Dr. Renaud Guichard, 11 Jan. 2012. Web. 28 Oct. 2014.

"Pediatric Defibrillation in TV and Film." Defib Kids. 27 Jan. 2012. Web. 28 Oct. 2014.

"Physio-Control Releases ReadyLink 12-Lead ECG for Emergency Responders." AAAAMedgadget. 24 Aug. 2011. Web. 28 Oct. 2014.

"Physio-Control Timeline." Physio Control. Physio-control.com. Web. 28 Oct. 2014.

"Virtual Museum EMS History." Karl William Edmark, MD. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Oct. 2014.

"Who Invented?" Who Invented. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Oct. 2014.