Abstract: This relates to surgical devices and methods of using them. In particular, the devices are used to support and to reform myocardial tissue in the region of and across an infarct. The devices provide tension across the infarct in varying degrees by attachment of the device to the myocardium at sites adjacent the infarct. A support-providing component across the infarct, between the heart attachment sites, provides support to the myocardial wall and support across the infarct. Optionally, but preferably, the support-providing component includes a time-delay element that variously may allow the device to be introduced onto the myocardial surface and to change the support of the support element over time.

Abstract: A method of presenting information for evaluating the condition of chronically impaired cardiac patients based on long-term assessment of activity trends, using a memoried implanted cardiac rhythm management device having a plurality of programmable parameters and one or more sensors for sensing one or more parameters related to an activity level of the patient. The method includes acquiring sensor signal data indicative of the activity level of the patient, accumulating sensor signal data in memory and using the accumulated sensor signal data to determine the activity level of the patient during a predetermined period of time, recording the activity level during a plurality of sequential time periods, adding contemporary annotation information to the activity data and producing a data record of the activity level with the annotation information during sequential time periods sufficient to indicate trends in a patient's activity level.

Abstract: An earpiece assembly for use in a stethoscope having a pipe member includes a connector having a distal end coupled to the pipe member and a proximal end, a bushing having a distal end rotatably coupled to the proximal end of the connector and a proximal end, and an earpiece having a sound path and being coupled to the proximal end of the bushing. The earpiece assembly may further include a bearing for rotatably coupling the connector and the bushing. The earpiece assembly provides a stethoscope that produces less undesired noise and prevents an injury to user's ears during the operation of the stethoscope.

Abstract: The present invention provides heat exchange devices for heating and/or cooling parts of the body for therapeutic treatment of injury. The heat exchange devices include a cooling module with a housing enclosing a cooling chamber. A thermoelectric Peltier unit has a cooled surface sealed against an opening in the housing and a pump is provided for pumping heat exchange fluid through the cooling chamber directly into contact with the cooled surface and through conduits to a patient blanket. A reservoir containing refrigerant is in flow communication with the chamber in the cooling module housing and refrigerant only flows into the housing when depleted from the recirculation flow path between the cooling module and the blanket. Another device uses a thermoelectric unit disposed between two water pumps each of which pumps water to different sections of a flexible water bag which is strapped to the affected area of the user.

Abstract: Analog or digital systems and methods generate a composite signal derived from a biological event in a time-sequential fashion. The systems and methods input a first set of signals derived from a biological event using a first group of sensors during a first time interval. The systems and methods input a second set of signals derived from the biological event during a second time interval sequentially after the first time interval using a second group of sensors. The second group of sensors has at least one common sensor that is part of the first group and other sensors that are not part of the first group. The systems and methods time align the first and second sets of signals using the signals sensed by the at least one common sensor, thereby generating the composite signal. The systems and methods time align by shifting the first and second sets of signals either with or without computing a time difference between them.

Abstract: Implantable electrode structures for use in apparatus for applying electrical therapy to a patient's heart in the treatment of arrhythmias such as tachycardias and fibrillations of the heart are herein disclosed. The electrode structures are made in the form of expandable (or self-expanding) intravascular stents for insertion through the patient's vascular system to locations in or adjacent the heart. The electrode structures can be inserted into the great veins by insertion techniques used for intravascular stent applications and provide increased electrode surfaces for discharge of electrical energy through the heart in conjunction with other strategically placed electrodes. The wire filament of the stents may be evenly spaced to form a circumferential array or may be non-uniformly spaced to form an elliptical array.

Abstract: An electrical muscle stimulator converts electromyographic (EMG) signals to digital words for analysis and display by a computer program. The therapist selects a variety of different parameters appropriate for the individual patient, and instructs the device to initiate stimulating signals on command, or upon detection of a suitable EMG signal from the patient. The device that converts digital words representing the selected parameters into complex, bipolar therapeutic pulses. The device can digitally model a wide variety of wave forms and graphically assist the therapist in developing and shaping various wave pulse trains.