OAD – Smart Defibrillation: Adaptive Energy. Personalized shocks. Improved outcomes.
Every second counts — and every shock matters. Optimized Amplitude Defibrilation (OAD) personalizes defibrillation in real time, protecting the heart and giving patients a better chance of survival. A smart upgrade for every defibrillator, where precision meets compassion.
Challenge
Each year, ~250,000 people in the EU die from sudden cardiac death (SCD), often triggered by pulseless ventricular tachyarrhythmia (pVT). The standard emergency response: delivering high-voltage shocks through external or implantable defibrillators – frequently multiple times. The problem: Each additional shock increases the risk of tissue damage, structural remodeling, and long-term cardiac dysfunction. For patients, this often means reduced quality of life – physically and psychologically.
Our Solution
OAD offers a novel method to dynamically set defibrillation shock amplitude using real-time ECG data. Two key parameters are assessed: the non-regularity index (IIR) and the fibrillation frequency (f). Depending on these values, shock intensity is adjusted:
• Highly irregular fibrillations: High-energy shock
• Slow, regular fibrillations: Low-energy shock
• Intermediate cases: Medium shock amplitude
All steps are performed automatically and in real time, ensuring optimal therapy outcomes without manual intervention. The system is compatible with both external and implantable defibrillation devices and is intended as a software-based enhancement. Expected benefits include: fewer shocks, lower energy levels, reduced tissue damage and higher success rates.
Fig.1 Decision Process for Optimized Defibrillation Shock Adjustment with OAD This flowchart illustrates the automated adjustment of shock energy based on real-time ECG data. After noise reduction and signal inversion, the system analyzes the Index of Irregularity (IIR) and the fibrillation frequency (f). Depending on the regularity and frequency of the cardiac arrhythmia, an appropriate low, medium, or high shock energy level is automatically selected to achieve effective defibrillation while minimizing tissue damage.
Advantages
OAD reduces not only the number of shocks but also their intensity, leading to significantly less myocardial tissue damage and improved patient recovery after cardiac events.
• Smart and adaptive: Personalized response based on real-time cardiac signals
• Scientifically validated: Proven in animal models (rabbit, pig)
• Easy integration: Software-compatible with existing defibrillator devices (ICD, AED, s-ICD)
• Minimized harm: Significantly reduces cumulative tissue damage
• Broad applicability: Across emergency, implantable and in-hospital use
Applications
• Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs)
• Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators (ICDs) and Subcutaneous Defibrillators (s-ICDs)
• Wearable Cardioverter Defibrillators (WCDs)
• Clinical Emergency and Prehospital Care
• Intensive Care and Cardiac Monitoring Units
Development Status
Successfull ex vivo proof of concept for pigs achieved.
Patent Status
IP rights have been filed in the name of the University Medical Center of Göttingen and DPZ – German Primate Center and a licensing partner is sought.
Contact
Dr. Vanessa Jensen
Patent Manager Lifescience
E-Mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Tel.: +49 551 30724 149
Reference: BioV-2522-UMG
Tags: Defibrillation, cardiac, heart, Implants, Implantologie
