Electroshock device for monitoring target response

Abstract

An electroshock device for delivering an electrical discharge to a target includes an electrical discharge circuit, and an electrode coupled to the electrical discharge circuit and having an attachment feature attachable to the target. Upon attachment the electrode is enabled to monitor a physiological condition of the target, generate a signal based on the physiological condition, and deliver the electrical discharge to the target. The electroshock device also includes a controller communicatively coupled to the electrical discharge circuit and the electrode. The controller is configured to modulate delivery of the electrical discharge based on the physiological condition of the target.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for delivering an electrical discharge to a target by an electroshock device, the method comprising:
 delivering the electrical discharge to the target via one or more electrodes;   monitoring a physiological condition of the target using the one or more electrodes; and   modulating the electrical discharge based on the physiological condition,   wherein the one or more electrodes are configured to attach to the target and administer the electrical discharge to the target.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the physiological condition includes an involuntary muscular condition of the target, and wherein the electrical discharge is modulated based on the involuntary muscular condition. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the involuntary muscular condition includes at least one of an activation level, movement, electrical activity, and electrical potential associated with a muscle of the target. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the physiological condition includes an involuntary response to delivery of the electrical discharge, and wherein the electrical discharge is modulated based on the involuntary response. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 determining whether the target is sufficiently subdued based on the physiological condition; and   modulating the electrical discharge based on the determination of whether the target is sufficiently subdued.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the electrical discharge includes a series of pulses in which an initial pulse is predefined, and wherein any subsequent pulses are modulated based on the physiological condition of the target. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the series of pulses are separated by one or more listening periods, and wherein modulating the electrical discharge includes modulating the subsequent pulses based on the physiological condition monitored during the one or more listening periods. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 based on the physiological condition, determining that the target will be harmed by the electrical discharge; and   modulating at least one of an intensity and a duration of the electrical discharge based on the determination that the target will be harmed.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 preventing delivery of the electrical discharge prior to monitoring the physiological condition.   
     
     
         10 . An electroshock device for delivering an electrical discharge to a target, the electroshock device, comprising:
 an electrical discharge circuit configured to product an electrical discharge;   one or more electrodes coupled to the electrical discharge circuit and configured to:
 deliver the electrical discharge to the target; 
 monitor a physiological condition of the target; and 
 generate a signal based on the physiological condition of the target; and 
   a controller communicatively coupled to the electrical discharge circuit and the one or more electrodes, the controller configured to:
 receive the signal based on the physiological condition of the target from the one or more electrodes; and 
 modulate the electrical discharge based on the signal. 
   
     
     
         11 . The electroshock device of  claim 10 , wherein the physiological condition includes an involuntary muscular condition of the target. 
     
     
         12 . The electroshock device of  claim 10 , wherein the physiological condition includes an involuntary response of the target to delivery of the electrical discharge. 
     
     
         13 . The electroshock device of  claim 10 , wherein the electrical discharge includes a series of pulses in which an initial pulse is predefined, and wherein the controller is configure to modulate any subsequent pulses based on the physiological condition of the target. 
     
     
         14 . A method for delivering a defibrillating pulse to a target by an electroshock device, the method comprising:
 delivering an electrical discharge to the target;   monitoring a physiological condition of the target;   determining that the defibrillating pulse is required based on the physiological condition; and   delivering the defibrillating pulse to the target based on the determination that the defibrillating pulse is required.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising discontinuing the electrical discharge based on the determination that the defibrillating pulse is required. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein determining whether the defibrillating pulse is required includes determining whether at least one of a heart arrhythmia or heart fibrillation is present in the target. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising modulating at least one of the electrical discharge and the defibrillating pulse based on the physiological condition. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the defibrillating pulse is delivered by applying defibrillation leads to the target. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising providing an indication that the defibrillating pulse is required. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein manual manipulation of the electroshock device is required to deliver the defibrillating pulse.