摘要:
An electrical lead includes an elongate body having a proximal end, and a sensing unit capable of resolving a change in a spatial configuration of the electrical lead. A medical device includes a control unit, an elongate body having a proximal end coupled with the control unit, and a sensing unit capable of resolving a change in a spatial configuration of the electrical lead and relating it to the amount of blood ejected from the heart. A method includes receiving a signal transmitted from a lead disposed within a heart and determining a change in a dimension of the heart, due to the heart beating, based upon the signal.
摘要:
A method and apparatus for cardioversion and defibrillation. The apparatus is provided with two pairs of cardioversion or defibrillation electrodes, and delivers pulses sequentially between said first and second pairs of electrodes, such that the first pulse overlaps the second pulse for a time interval of at least about one millisecond. During the overlap time of the first and second pulses, a defibrillation pulse vector intermediate that defined by the two electrode pairs individually is provided.
摘要:
A transvenous cardioversion lead for use in standby cardioversion in patients who have a high risk of ventricular tachycardia or fibrillation, adapted for use with presently available external defibrillation units. The lead is provided with energy-reducing or energy-limiting circuitry to prevent the inappropriately high energy levels which may be generated by external defibrillation units from causing injury to the patient while preserving the beneficial waveform of the defibrillation pulse. The lead is further provided with at least three electrodes, two for location in the ventricle, at least one for location in the superior vena cava. The lead is so constructed that the superior vena cava electrode and one of the ventricular electrodes may be used for cardioversion, while the two ventricular electrodes may be used for cardiac pacing and sensing.
摘要:
A high-speed atherectomy device is disclosed, for abrading a blockage (stenosis) in the interior of a lumen (artery). The device uses a rapidly rotating drive shaft that includes an eccentric abrasive element that has its center of mass laterally offset from the rotational axis of the drive shaft. As the drive shaft rotates, centrifugal force drives the eccentric abrasive element outward, so that it traces an abrading diameter at high rotational speeds that is larger than its rest diameter. The drive shaft includes counterweights on both sides of the abrasive element, which may stabilize operation at high rotational speeds. In some cases, the counterweights are also eccentric, with their centers of mass laterally offset from the rotational axis in the opposite direction as that of the abrasive element. The counterweights are longitudinally separated from the abrasive element, and in some cases, the separations are adjustable and/or controllable. In some cases, the guide wire may be retracted prior to or during the high-speed rotation of the drive shaft, with the retraction being to the distal counterweight, the abrasive element, the proximal counterweight, or beyond the proximal counterweight.
摘要:
An apparatus for and method of improving muscle tone of a patient using chronic sub-tetanic electrical stimulation. For patients suffering from obstructive sleep apnea, for example, the muscles of the upper airway are provided the chronic stimulation to mitigate or prevent the adverse medical condition caused in part by excessively flaccid muscle tissue around and in the airway.A stimulation generator supplies pulses to the muscle to be treated through insulated leads which are coupled to electrodes directly in contact with the appropriate neuro-muscular tissue. The output of the stimulation generator is adjusted to a frequency of sufficiently low level as to prevent fused tetanic contraction of the stimulated muscle. The adjustment may be made manually by attending medical personnel or may be done automatically using electrodes to sense the tension of the stimulated muscle. In the automatic mode, the sensing system insures the stimulation frequency level is decreased below the threshold of muscle tetanus.Stimulation may be accomplished at a particular site or may be multiplexed to a number of sites. Chronic stimulation will enhance muscle tone to an individual degree and then will simply maintain the desired status.
摘要:
An apparatus for and method of improving muscle tone of a patient using chronic sub-tetanic electrical stimulation. For patients suffering from obstructive sleep apnea, for example, the muscles of the upper airway are provided the chronic stimulation to mitigate or prevent the adverse medical condition caused in part by excessively flaccid muscle tissue around and in the airway.A stimulation generator supplies pulses to the muscle to be treated through insulated leads which are coupled to electrodes directly in contact with the appropriate neuro-muscular tissue. The output of the stimulation generator is adjusted to a frequency of sufficiently low level as to prevent fused tetanic contraction of the stimulated muscle. The adjustment may be made manually by attending medical personnel or may be done automatically using electrodes to sense the tension of the stimulated muscle. In the automatic mode, the sensing system insures the stimulation frequency level is decreased below the threshold of muscle tetanus.Stimulation may be accomplished at a particular site or may be mutliplexed to a number of sites. Chronic stimulation will enhance muscle tone to an individual degree and then will simply maintain the desired status.
摘要:
A method of and apparatus for controlling one or more parameters of an electrical stimulation generator in response to measured results of the stimulation. In the preferred mode, this technique is employed in a system for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea. Sensors are used to determine the effectiveness of the stimulation. Amplitude and pulse width are modified in response to the measurements from the sensors.
摘要:
An improved apparatus for and method of providing feedback to an implantable pulse generator to treat obstructive sleep apnea. Sensors monitor the electrical activity associated with contractions of the diaphragm. The pressure within the thorax and the upper airway are also measured. Whenever electrical activity of the diaphragm suggests that an inspiration cycle is in progress and the pressure sensors show an abnormal pressure differential across the airway, the presence of obstructive sleep apenea is assumed and electrical stimulation is applied to the musculature of the upper airway.
摘要:
An improved hydrogel adhesive, particularly adapted for adhesion and contact to tissue. It is especially useful in attaching electrical leads to tissue, for example in attaching pacemaker leads to the heart, interiorly or exteriorly.
摘要:
An implantable dispenser for infusing a desired drug into the blood stream. The dispenser is adapted to be spliced into a blood vessel so that blood flows freely through it. Within the dispenser is a replaceable biomass cartridge containing a colony of microorganisms which produce the drug.