Everything You Need to Know about Biphasic Defibrillator
- Dr. Shruti Shah
- 4 days ago
- 9 min read
When sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) hits, every minute counts.
In India, when traffic jams and the lack of an ambulance can slow down emergency response, access to dependable defibrillation technology could be the difference between life and death.
This is where the biphasic defibrillator has turned things around.
A biphasic defibrillator is a medical device that delivers a controlled electric shock to the heart in two phases, compared to monophasic devices, which deliver a shock to the heart in only one.
This has improved the efficiency, safety, and effectiveness of defibrillation at lower energy levels.
Due to its increased success and decreased chance of causing heart damage, biphasic technology has now become the worldwide standard used in Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) and in medical defibrillation devices.
The market of biphasic AEDs is expanding in India, both in hospitals, fitness centers, schools, offices, and even at home.
The new devices are small, user-friendly, and have features such as CPR support, child-friendly, and self-test capabilities.
They are available at affordable entry-level prices and more advanced models with Wi-Fi connections and real-time feedback.
This blog explains what biphasic defibrillators are, their benefits, the latest models available in India, and their cost in 2025.
What is a Biphasic Defibrillator?
A biphasic defibrillator is a lifesaving equipment that sends an electric shock to the heart that has stopped beating normally during sudden cardiac arrest (SCA).
What makes it biphasic is the manner in which the current flows.
Rather than transferring electricity in one direction, the current is transferred in two phases, first in one direction and then directly following this, in the opposite direction (as the older monophasic defibrillators could only transfer electricity in a single direction).
Why does this matter?
The heart is not an ordinary muscle; it is an electrical system. Once it gets in an abnormal rhythm, including ventricular fibrillation, then it requires a timed shock to restart.
Less energy is consumed to get the same or better results with biphasic technology.
It means that the heart muscle has fewer chances to be harmed in defibrillation, and the probability of normal rhythm restoration is also much higher.
Biphasic vs. Monophasic Defibrillators
Monophasic Defibrillators: Current flow is in a single direction; generally, needs high energy shocks (up to 360 joules). Heavy and less effective and prone to burns or damage.
Biphasic Defibrillators: Two-directional current used, which works at less energy (120-200 joules). Smaller, lighter and can be safely used more than once in case of shock.
Almost all current Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) and professional-grade hospital devices are biphasic today.
Biphasic defibrillators are the approved standard all over the world, including India, whether in airports, malls, schools, or hospitals.
How a Biphasic Defibrillator Works?
In sudden cardiac arrest (SCA), the heart does not necessarily go dead instead, it usually enters a disorganized electrical state known as ventricular fibrillation. The heart beats in vain instead of pumping blood.
Unless the heart rhythm is fixed within minutes, oxygen flows to the brain and other vital organs stops and death occurs.
A biphasic defibrillator intervenes by giving a brief, precisely timed electrical shock throughout the chest.
In contrast to the older monophasic instruments, where the waveform is sent in either direction, the biphasic alternate waveform causes current to be sent in one direction, and then in the opposite direction back in the other direction.
This two-step method is a big difference.
Step-by-Step Process
Pad Placement
Electrode pads are put on the chest, one on the right-hand side, bottom half, upper half. These pads serve as sensors as well as shock delivery points.
Heart Rhythm Analysis
New biphasic devices scan the heart rhythm of the patient automatically. They simply recommend or provide a shock when the rhythm is shockable, e.g. ventricular fibrillation or pulseless ventricular tachycardia.
Energy Delivery
The device can charge and discharge a biphasic shock as required. The current is followed in a single direction for a couple of milliseconds and then reversed in the other direction in another burst.
Resetting the Heart
It is a two-phase shock that interrupts the irregular electrical activity and offers the natural pacemaker cells in the heart an opportunity to restore a normal rhythm.
Follow-Up Guidance
Most AEDs provide voice prompts to the rescuer- reminding them to continue CPR, check breathing, or prepare to make another analysis.
Why Biphasic Matters?
Less Energy, More Results: As the flow of the current is in two directions, the heart cells work more effectively. Just 120-200 joules in normal rhythm can be sufficiently effective as opposed to 360 joules with monophase machines.
Less Damage: There is less energy, thus the risk of burns, muscle injury or post-shock heart dysfunction is reduced.
Adaptability: Biphasic devices are capable of automatically changing the waveform based on the chest size, skin resistance, and condition of the patient.
Concisely, the biphasic defibrillator operates through two shocking mechanisms that are smarter and safer with the goal of resetting the heart rhythm in the most effective and least harmful way possible.
That is why almost all the defibrillators sold in the world today including in India are biphasic.
Advantages of Biphasic Defibrillators
When biphasic defibrillators replaced older monophasic models, it wasn't just a minor upgrade, it was a complete shift in how sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) is treated.
It is due to the benefits of biphasic technology that makes it the international standard in AEDs and clinical defibrillators nowadays.
Higher Survival Rates
Effectiveness is the greatest benefit. Research indicates that biphasic defibrillators achieve a normal heartbeat rhythm with less energy than monophasic shocks.
This implies that they are more likely to survive the patient particularly when the shock is administered within the most important first few minutes.
Safer for the Heart
Due to lower shock energy (120-200 joules, rather than 360 joules) used in biphasic devices, the risks of injury to the heart muscle and skin burns are minimal.
This results in safer repeat shocks, which is common when there is a prolonged resuscitation process.
Compact and Portable
Reduced energy consumption allows biphasic defibrillators to be designed smaller and lighter.
Biphasic technology allows the use of AEDs in offices, airports, gyms and schools. Portability will mean that they can be deployed outside the hospital where cardiac arrest is prevalent.
Longer Battery and Pad Life
Since each shock takes less power, batteries last longer and electrode pads do not degrade as fast.
This reduces ownership expenses over the long run, which makes sense with buyers in India where a budget is important.
Suitable for All Age Groups
With the majority of biphasic AEDs, there is an option of a pediatric mode or child pad, allowing one device to be used safely with both adults and children.
This flexibility is particularly useful in schools, and in community and homes.
Easier to Use
The current biphasic AEDs have voice prompts, visual and CPR instructions. They can be successfully used even by untrained bystanders in cases of emergency.
The device measures the heart rhythm of the patient automatically and gives a shock only when necessary and therefore reduces errors.
Lower Maintenance Costs
Given that biphasic AEDs are intended to be used long-term, a number of them run self-checks either on a daily or weekly basis notifying the owner whether they need to be serviced.
This minimizes the chances of device failure as well as saves money on servicing them regularly.
Why Has Biphasic Replaced Monophasic?
Monophasic defibrillators were the only choice for decades. Their work involved passing one shock wave of current through the heart.
Although this was a revolutionary thing in that era, it had obvious disadvantages: the shocks were very intense, the equipment was bulky, and the success rate was not the best.
With the development of medical science, doctors knew that, with the reversal of the current flow in the middle of a shock, the heart could be defibrillated with less energy.
This discovery resulted in biphasic technology, which has become the international standard.
Limitations of Monophasic Defibrillators
Intensive energy demand: Monophasic shocks could require as many as 360 joules to defibrillate the heart.
Additional side effects: High-energy shocks might also burn the skin, damage heart muscle, and leave patients with reduced cardiac activity.
Less efficiency: After the initial shock, even with high power the survival rates were not as good as expected.
Bulky machines: Large capacitors needed to supply such large currents made devices heavier and more difficult to transport outside of a hospital environment.
Why Biphasic Took Over?
Greater efficiency with less energy: Biphasic devices shock normal rhythm using 120-200 joules, radically increasing the first-shock success rates.
Less harm: Since the energy is smaller, the risk of burns or after-shock complications decreases.
Reduced size: Reduced power consumption enables smaller AEDs that can be installed in schools, shopping centers, airports, and homes.
Automatic waveform adjustment: Most biphasic defibrillators automatically adjust the current according to the chest resistance of the patient, which makes them smarter and more individualized.
The Global Shift
In a couple of years after the introduction of biphasic technology, the world started discarding monophasic units in hospitals.
Monophasic defibrillators are not used much today. The AEDs on sale in India both in the outdoor environment and in hospitals are of a biphasic type, which is in line with best international practices.
It was not just a matter of convenience. It was about survival. Biphasic devices have helped to save the lives of more people by making defibrillation safer, more reliable, and more accessible.
Buying Considerations and Latest Prices in India
There are two common questions that come to mind when considering making an investment in a biphasic defibrillator: what are the most important features and how much is it going to cost?
They are both essential due to the fact that the right device is not merely about technology, but it is about aligning the environment (home, office, school, hospital) with a budget that makes sense.
Key Buying Factors
Ease of Use
Search among units that have voice prompts, visual indicators, and automated analysis. AEDs will be used by non-medical users, and simplicity therefore, becomes paramount.
Shock Type
Fully Automatic: The machine discharges the shock automatically.
Semi-Automatic: The rescuer presses a button on command.
Both are efficient; it is a matter of the level of comfort and training.
Durability
Equipment in airports, gyms, or the outdoors must have a higher protection rating (dust/water-resistant IP55 or higher).
Pediatric Capability
When there is a possibility of using the AED on children, look to child pads or a pediatric switch.
Battery and Pad Life
The pads have a life span of 2-3 years, batteries 4-7 years. A greater life span reduces the running costs.
After-Sales Support
Always make sure there is warranty coverage (usually 5-7 years) and service availability in India.
Latest Price Range (2025)
Entry-Level AEDs (homes, small offices, schools): ₹90,000 – ₹1,20,000
Mid-Range AEDs (corporates, gyms, malls, institutions): ₹1,20,000 – ₹2,00,000
Advanced AEDs/Professional Units (hospitals, ambulances, high-risk environments): ₹2,00,000 – ₹4,50,000+
Consumables Cost
Adult Pads: ₹15,000 – ₹20,000 (expire every 2–3 years or after use)
Pediatric Pads: ₹18,000 – ₹25,000
Batteries: ₹15,000 – ₹55,000 depending on brand and capacity
While the upfront price can feel significant, it’s worth remembering that a biphasic defibrillator is essentially a one-time safety investment.
For peace of mind, always buy from Buy AED India to ensure your device and accessories are authentic, under manufacturer warranty, and properly certified for use in India.
Conclusion
Biphasic defibrillators are now the standard for cardiac emergency response.
They have substituted older monophasic devices around the world by providing safer, lower-energy shocks with higher success rates.
They are appearing in India in non-hospital settings, such as schools, gyms, offices, and even homes--since sudden cardiac arrest can occur anywhere, at any moment.
The benefits are obvious: better chances to survive, fewer side effects, smaller shapes, and practical functions enabling even non-medical people to behave, believe, and act like a doctor in case of an emergency.
The initial expense might seem high, but the price of a device that can help save a life within minutes is something crucial to the safety of both communities and workplaces.
Due to the growing awareness about the products, biphasic defibrillators are becoming as necessary as fire extinguishers and first aid kits.
They are not medical equipment; they are a representation of readiness and accountability.
Buy AED India offers authentic certified devices and batteries, pads, and countrywide support to people intending to buy in India.
To be aware of how they operate, the benefits of using them, and their maintenance will keep you ahead of the pack so that when something unimaginable occurs, you are not sitting there waiting powerless, you are ready to act.
FAQ
What is a biphasic defibrillator?
A device that delivers shocks in two directions to reset abnormal heart rhythms more safely and effectively.
How is it different from a monophasic defibrillator?
Monophasic uses one-directional current; biphasic uses two, requiring less energy and causing fewer side effects.
Who can use a biphasic AED?
Anyone. Modern AEDs guide the user step by step with voice and visual prompts.
Do the pads and batteries expire?
Yes. Pads last 2–3 years, batteries 4–7 years, depending on the model.
Where can I buy one in India?
Genuine biphasic defibrillators and consumables are available through Buy AED India with nationwide delivery.
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