Method and apparatus for a cardiac defibrillator high voltage charging

Abstract

A variable rate defibrillator charging circuit includes a power transformer that accepts an internal battery output and the output from an AC-to-DC converter on separate primary windings. The secondary winding of the transformer is coupled through a rectifier to a storage capacitor. The transformer operates in a fly-back mode whereby energy is discharged into the storage capacitor when the power supplies discontinue charging the transformer. After energy in the transformer is discharged into the storage capacitor, the power supplies are reactivated, recharging the transformer. The separate primary windings of the transformer provide a fast, reliable, low cost means for charging the storage capacitor with multiple power supplies. The AC power source feeding the AC-to-DC converter is detachable allowing the defibrillator to be operated remotely whereby the storage capacitor is charged solely from the internal battery. The charging circuit monitors the output voltage levels of both the battery and the AC-to-DC converter and enables or disables the power supplies in accordance to their ability to charge the storage capacitor within a predetermined amount of time. The energy in the storage capacitor, which is eventually discharged into a patient, is monitored to prevent overcharging.