Cardiac Science Inc.'s external defibrillators might save lives, but they can also cause discomfort. The devices, which monitor heart rates and deliver life-saving jolts during cardiac arrests, are sometimes worn by hospital patients for more than 24 hours at a time, leading to rashes and abrasions.
In an effort to reduce irritation, Irvine-based Cardiac has just patented technology that will shrink by half the size of the connectors that attach defibrillators to patients' chests, said Michael Gioffredi, vice president of sales and marketing. Because rashes sometimes develop beneath connectors, reducing their size to 2 to 3 inches from 6 to 8 inches should make patients more comfortable, he said.
