Taser Device:Taser Device:A Cardiac A Cardiac

Electrophysiologist’s Electrophysiologist’s Perspective Perspective

Aurelio Duran MDAurelio Duran MD

Orlando Heart CenterOrlando Heart Center

Cardioloigist/ElectrophysiologistCardioloigist/Electrophysiologist Cardiology Advisor Orange County Cardiology Advisor Orange County

EMSEMS Vice Chairman Cardiology ORMCVice Chairman Cardiology ORMC Teach house staff at ORMC and FSU Teach house staff at ORMC and FSU

Medical studentsMedical students Help develop pacemakers and Help develop pacemakers and

defibrillators defibrillators

Electricity and our bodiesElectricity and our bodies

Used by our bodies to perform many Used by our bodies to perform many functions.functions.

Rapid messenger-working in msecRapid messenger-working in msec Manipulating the electrical status of Manipulating the electrical status of

cells can have major impact as to cells can have major impact as to how the body functions. Many uses how the body functions. Many uses in medicine.in medicine.

How “electricity” is normally usedHow “electricity” is normally used

How “electricity” is normally usedHow “electricity” is normally used

How “electricity” is normally usedHow “electricity” is normally used

How “electricity” is normally usedHow “electricity” is normally used

How “electricity” is normally usedHow “electricity” is normally used

How “electricity” is normally usedHow “electricity” is normally used

Specialized electrical cells act as Specialized electrical cells act as wireswires

Nerves, heart, muscleNerves, heart, muscleVery small amounts of Very small amounts of current current

are needed to trigger conduction are needed to trigger conduction from cell to cell-dependant on from cell to cell-dependant on voltagevoltage

Chemical Electrical GatesChemical Electrical Gates

Work instantaneously- on/off like a Work instantaneously- on/off like a light switchlight switch

Altering these systems are widely Altering these systems are widely used in many medical and non used in many medical and non medical situationsmedical situations

Medications-anesthetics, anti-Medications-anesthetics, anti-arrhythmics, and anti-seizure drugsarrhythmics, and anti-seizure drugs

Chemical Electrical GatesChemical Electrical Gates

PacemakersPacemakers DefibrillatorsDefibrillators Skin stimulator to measure depth of Skin stimulator to measure depth of

anesthesia anesthesia Tens UnitsTens Units ““Muscle building” devices home useMuscle building” devices home use TaserTaser

Chemical Electrical GatesChemical Electrical Gates

Activation naturally or artificially does not Activation naturally or artificially does not damage these cellsdamage these cells

Conduction with these methods is driven by Conduction with these methods is driven by voltage voltage not currentnot current

Voltage changes are the natural method in Voltage changes are the natural method in which these cells “talk” to each otherwhich these cells “talk” to each other

High voltage activates these systems without High voltage activates these systems without damage to cells. High damage to cells. High currentcurrent is what could is what could burn or “cook” tissue-electrocution burn or “cook” tissue-electrocution

TaserTaser

High voltage low current systemHigh voltage low current system Fixed currentFixed current Small electrodes which are superficial Small electrodes which are superficial The amount of energy The amount of energy delivered to the delivered to the

skinskin is very small 3.8 mA is very small 3.8 mA Range of what is used Range of what is used directly on the directly on the

heartheart in pacemakers in pacemakers

What would the “ideal” bad device What would the “ideal” bad device look likelook like

High currentHigh current Large electrodes/deep/?gel-penetrate high Large electrodes/deep/?gel-penetrate high

resistance of skin/chest/lungsresistance of skin/chest/lungs Front and back electrodes-not on the Front and back electrodes-not on the

same side of bodysame side of body This “bad” device would need these This “bad” device would need these

features to be able to get the current to the features to be able to get the current to the heart which is insulatedheart which is insulated

TaserTaser

Does not appear to be able to do thisDoes not appear to be able to do this Observations-volunteers 50,000, animals, Observations-volunteers 50,000, animals,

real usereal use If a device were to cause a bad rhythm If a device were to cause a bad rhythm

(ventricular fibrillation or ventricular (ventricular fibrillation or ventricular tachycardia) the individual would collapse tachycardia) the individual would collapse and arrest and arrest immediatelyimmediately

Not seenNot seen

TaserTaser

Works by instantly interfering with the Works by instantly interfering with the nervous systems ability to send nervous systems ability to send messagesmessages

Not likely to be able to have electricity Not likely to be able to have electricity reach the heartreach the heart

Taser Device:Taser Device:A Cardiac A Cardiac

Electrophysiologist’s Electrophysiologist’s Perspective Perspective

Aurelio Duran MDAurelio Duran MD

Orlando Heart CenterOrlando Heart Center