Abstract: A self-powered, self-contained, intravenous pacing catheter assembly for use in temporary intravenous cardiac pacing therapy, wherein all components of the assembly may be operated and maintained in a sterile environment proximate a patient entry site. In a preferred embodiment, a miniature pacemaker is powered by an attachable dc battery and outputs a selectable electrical pacing signal over an integrally attached intravenous pacing catheter to an electrode pair located at a distal end of the catheter. The combined pacemaker and catheter assembly are housed inside a sterile see-through pouch having at least one openable panel and an adhesive layer forming a continuous ring around the openable panel upon an exterior surface of the pouch. The pacemaker is preferably manipulable, e.g., by an attending physician, through walls of the sealed pouch, so that a sterile patient seal is not disturbed when changing the output signal settings.

Abstract: A non-invasive radiolucent electrode for stimulating the heart is disclosed. The electrode is configured to include at least one pad having a first surface adapted to contact the patient's skin, and a conductive mesh backing substantially covering a second surface of the pad and configured to be radiolucent.