US Patent 7277753 Defibrillator

A defibrillator incorporates an analyser (2) arranged to receive signals from a patient's heart (such as from electrode pads (6) placed on the patient's chest). A charging circuit (4) enables the electrodes (6) to deliver a charge from the charging circuit to the patient. The analyser is arranged to compare one or more heart rhythm sequences from the patient with predetermined data relating to a heart rhythm and, depending on a result of an initial part of comparison, the analyser is arranged to activate starting of charging of the charging circuit, whilst comparison continues, in readiness for possible delivery of a shock to the patient.