By definition, a defibrillator is an electronic device that gives an electric shock to the heart, through the chest wall. This is done with a preset voltage to try to restore normal rhythm in the heart during ventricular fibrillation, or an irregular heartbeat. This is an extreme yet crucial treatment that is done every single day, and could potentially save a life. There are many different types of this device including external, implanted or transvenous.

This amazing invention was made public in 1899 when Jean Louis Prevost and Frederic Batelli first demonstrated this device. These men were physiologists from Switzerland, and together discovered the power of electric shock via dogs. Later, in 1933 Dr. Albert Hyman and C. Henry Hyman invented The Hyman Otor, which delivered the electric shock through a long insulated wire that passed through the heart.

Defibrillators were not tested on humans until 1947 when a courageous Ohio man named Claude Beck successfully completed this process on a young boy only fourteen years of age. The boy suffered from a congenital chest defect, and after this procedure was complete he once again had normal sinus rhythm. This is truly one of the most interesting and useful inventions I can think of, even by today's standards.

Dr. V. Eskin and A. Klimov developed a new version of this device in the 1950's which was external. This "closed chest" device pumped a current of over one thousand amps through electrodes. Bernard Lown took it one step further, inventing a similar device in 1959 which used lower levels of energy. A portable version came about in the 1960's, and soon after the first implantable model was introduced. This just goes to show the immense scientific progress in the world, especially in the medical field. It is incredible what scientists discover every single day, and this article is proof of that. We should never take science for granted as everyone will potentially benefit from it at least once in their life.

Contrary to popular belief, these devices do not typically cause any violent or sudden jerking motion in the patient. It is not a scary sight to see, and will not move a person's body to the point of putting them in danger. Many similar devices are depicted in movies, television shows and video games as such harmfully powerful machines. In all reality these portable, implantable or otherwise helpful devices are a miracle to some and should not be thought of negatively. For more information you can conduct a web search online, stop in to your local library for reference books or ask your doctor for more facts.