Reed switches and Reed Sensors in Portable Defibrillators

Defibrillation is a treatment for life-threatening cardiac arrhythmia, or irregular heart beat. This condition is also known as fibrillation. A portable defibrillator is a device that delivers an electric current to the heart, when cardio-pulmonary resuscitation, or CPR is required. The high current depolarizes the heart muscles, and although not fully understood, stops the fibrillation.
Defibrillators can be external or implantable. Some models of external defibrillators come with a battery to make this devices portable for use in ambulances and other reserved zones. These need to conserve battery to ensure that the set high current value is discharge. This is where special high voltage reed switches, capable of switching thousands of volts are used. High Voltage Reed Switches with a breakdown voltage higher than 1000V are used in the manufacture of High Voltage Reed Relays. These Reed Relays are triggered by a button the person in charge of CPR presses, when the set power has been reached.
Application Classification
Applications are classified as Position Sensing, Pulse Counting, Electromagnetic or Relay, Temperature Sensing or Magnet Biasing types. This application is classified as follows and the link gives more information on best practices to help select the most suitable AT band and matching magnet.
Electromagnetic or Relay Type
![]() | Reed Relay in Food Processor Application When it is necessary to control a circuit load by using a separate low-power signal, or where Continue reading Nov 7, 2020 |
Recommended Products
The Reed Switches and Sensors used in such applications need to be robust, durable and efficient in meeting a high life expectancy. Our engineers work hard in life testing our products under various conditions, and our intention is to ensure end product durability and life. Although we wouldn’t want to restrict any of our products for use in only certain applications, the recommended products for use in this application are listed below.
R5 Ultra-Miniature SMD Reed Sensor
![]() | These SMD Ultra-Miniature Reed Sensors are designed for signal switching applications and have a size advantage over the standard size SMD Continue reading Jun 7, 2021 |
R4 Ultra-miniature SMD Reed Sensor
![]() | These R4 ultra-miniature SMD reed sensors are designed for signal switching applications and have a size advantage over the standard size Continue reading Jun 4, 2021 |
UM-0018-M Ultra Miniature Reed Switch
![]() | This highly sensitive, Form A type, UM-0018-M Ultra Miniature Reed Switches are designed for switching high speed signal loads with an Continue reading Nov 8, 2022 |
HB-2232 Reed Switch with High Breakdown
![]() | This HB-2232 Reed Switch with High Breakdown Voltage is designed with highly flexible blades to get maximum contact gap at lower AT Continue reading Dec 3, 2020 |