@article{ref1,
title="A TASER conducted electrical weapon with cardiac biomonitoring capability: proof of concept and initial human trial",
journal="Journal of forensic and legal medicine",
year="2016",
author="Stopyra, Jason P. and Ritter, Samuel I. and Beatty, Jennifer and Johnson, James C. and Kleiner, Douglas M. and Winslow, James E. and Gardner, Alison R. and Bozeman, William P.",
volume="43",
number="",
pages="48-52",
abstract="INTRODUCTION: Despite research demonstrating the overall safety of Conducted Electrical Weapons (CEWs), commonly known by the brand name TASER(®), concerns remain regarding cardiac safety. The addition of cardiac biomonitoring capability to a CEW could prove useful and even lifesaving in the rare event of a medical crisis by detecting and analyzing cardiac rhythms during the period immediately after CEW discharge. <br><br>OBJECTIVE: To combine an electrocardiogram (ECG) device with a CEW to detect and store ECG signals while still allowing the CEW to perform its primary function of delivering an incapacitating electrical discharge. <br><br>METHODS: This work was performed in three phases. In Phase 1 standard law enforcement issue CEW cartridges were modified to demonstrate transmission of ECG signals. In Phase 2, a miniaturized ECG recorder was combined with a standard issue CEW and tested. In Phase 3, a prototype CEW with on-board cardiac biomonitoring was tested on human volunteers to assess its ability to perform its primary function of electrical incapacitation. <br><br>RESULTS: Bench testing demonstrated that slightly modified CEW cartridge wires transmitted simulated ECG signals produced by an ECG rhythm generator and from a human volunteer. Ultimately, a modified CEW incorporating ECG monitoring successfully delivered incapacitating current to human volunteers and successfully recorded ECG signals from subcutaneous CEW probes after firing. <br><br>CONCLUSION: An ECG recording device was successfully incorporated into a standard issue CEW without impeding the functioning of the device. This serves as proof-of-concept that safety measures such as cardiac biomonitoring can be incorporated into CEWs and possibly other law enforcement devices.<br><br>Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd and Faculty of Forensic and Legal Medicine. All rights reserved.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="1752-928X",
doi="10.1016/j.jflm.2016.07.003",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jflm.2016.07.003"
}