Abstract: A combination of versatile and inexpensive elements are combined on site to create an impermeable assembly which collects water falling through a grating or cracks between adjacent boards of a deck and completely drains it to one or more points at a selected edge. The impermeable assembly is comprised of a plurality of peaks and valleys configured to simplify installation, conserve headroom and provide an aesthetically pleasing finished surface. In a first embodiment, a collector collects the water falling through cracks between boards spanning the space between adjacent joists from which it drains transversely to a gutter positioned beneath the joists. The gutter drains the water longitudinally to the perimeter of the deck.

Abstract: Based upon patient studies indices a high degree of correlation was found between HRV and VO2.sub.max, i.e., the patient's exercise capacity. Based on this finding, a pacing therapy optimization protocol for treating patients with CHF has been devised. The protocol involves first pacing the patient's heart with a pacemaker programmed to operate in a first mode for a predetermined time period and then collecting electrogram data from which a HRV index is derived. The mode is then changed and the steps repeated until all possible modes have been utilized. At that time, a determination is made as to which of the modes is associated with the largest HRV index and the pacemaker is then programmed to function in that mode. Alternatively, the method of the present invention can be applied to changes in drug therapy instead of or in combination with pacing therapy.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for attenuating polarization voltages or "afterpotentials" which develop at the heart tissue/electrode interface following the delivery of a pacing stimulus to the heart tissue such that the evoked response of the heart may be accurately detected to determine whether each pacing stimulus resulted in heart capture or contraction, thereby facilitating improved tracking of the capture threshold for minimizing power consumption while assuring therapeutic efficacy. The conventional large capacitance coupling capacitor used to suppress DC components of the pacing pulse is reduced to effectively lower the equivalent capacitance of the pacing and coupling capacitors following delivery of the pacing pulse, allowing shorter recharge and blanking intervals. As a result, the evoked response is more easily detected.