Reed switches and Reed Sensors in Portable Defibrillators
Defibrillator
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 MagnetBiasing 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.
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.
