Abstract: A method of performing a medical procedure, such as surgery, is provided. The spinal cord is stimulated in order to control at least one physiological function. The medical procedure is performed and stimulation of the spinal cord is stopped.

Abstract: An intravascular device is provided. The device comprises a sealing member, the member including a mesh material and a gripping element operatively attached to the sealing member, the gripping element operatively adapted to allow a user to position the sealing member to seal a blood vessel. Methods of using the device are also provided.

Abstract: An endoscopic stabilization device is provided. The device includes first and second support elements positioned opposite each other, a plurality of linkages, each linkage including a first end portion attached to the first support element and a second end portion attached to the second support element; and a cable operatively attached to the linkages at a first end to allow a user to pull a second end of the cable to move the first support element in a direction away from the second support element. Methods of using the device to stabilize and immobilize components in the body are also provided.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for temporarily immobilizing a local area of tissue. In particular, the present invention provides a method and apparatus for temporarily immobilizing a local area of heart tissue to thereby permit surgery on a coronary vessel in that area without significant deterioration of the pumping function of the beating heart. The local area of heart tissue is immobilized to a degree sufficient to permit minimally invasive or micro-surgery on that area of the heart. The present invention features a suction device to accomplish the immobilization. The suction device is coupled to a source of negative pressure. The suction device has a series of suction ports on one surface. Suction through the device causes suction to be maintained at the ports. The device further is shaped to conform to the surface of the heart. Thus, when the device is placed on the surface of the heart and suction is created, the suction through the ports engages the surface of the heart.

Abstract: The invention is a method and apparatus for performing beating heart surgery, in which a single articulating arm supports multiple suction pods. Once the suction pods are applied to the heart surface, tightening a cable fixes the arm in place. Then, the suction pods may be spread apart from each other to tighten the surface of the cardiac tissue lying between the suction pods. In one embodiment, fixation of the arm as well as the spreading apart of the suction pods may occur concurrently or almost concurrently through the tensioning of a single cable. Additional embodiments of the method, system and its components are shown.

Abstract: This invention provides a system and method for positioning, manipulating, holding, grasping, immobilizing and/or stabilizing a heart including one or more tissue-engaging devices, one or more suction sources, one or more fluid sources, one or more energy sources, one or more sensors and one or more processors. The system and method may include an indifferent electrode, a drug delivery device and an illumination device. The system's tissue-engaging device may comprise a tissue-engaging head, a support apparatus and a clamping mechanism for attaching the tissue-engaging device to a stable object. The system may be used during various medical procedures including the deployment of an anastomotic device, intermittently stopping and starting of the heart, ablation of cardiac tissues and the placement of cardiac leads.

Abstract: A method of operating an implantable medical device is provided. A plurality of atrio-ventricular (AV) measurement signals is received. A QT interval is determined. The QT interval is a function of the AV measurement signals. Each of the plurality of AV measurement signals is compared with the QT interval. Finally, if one of the plurality of AV measurement signals is less than the QT interval, a difference between the one of the plurality of AV measurement signals and the QT interval is stored.

Abstract: An inline electromagnetic flow probe, and its corresponding flow transducer, incorporate mutually compatible features that permit a single transducer to identify which of a plurality of types of flow probes has been inserted into the transducer.

Abstract: An electrosurgery medical device is enhanced with unique solution-assistance, and comprises, in combination, co-operating device jaws including jaw portions for manipulating tissue, and a plurality of solution infusion openings defined and spaced along each of the jaw portions, for receiving electrolytic solution and infusing the solution onto and into tissue to be manipulated, along said jaw portions. As preferred, the device further comprises at least one, and most preferably, many, longitudinal groove(s) along at least one and most preferably, both, of the jaw portions, with the solution infusion openings located in the groove or grooves. The solution is energized with RF energy and contributes to the functions and beneficial effects of the instrument. The solution exits the openings in the grooves at sufficient flow rates to separate substantially all the operative surfaces of the device from tissue, thereby substantially completely preventing adherence between the operative surfaces and tissue.

Abstract: Programmers, systems and methods utilizing body-wearable components, such as a head-mounted video display apparatus, are provided to program implantable medical devices (IMDs). The head-mounted video display apparatus provides information regarding programming parameters as well as information regarding the patient and/or the IMD. By being worn on the body, programmers of the present invention are highly portable. Further, by providing a head-mounted video display apparatus, programmers of the present invention provide a display that remains viewable even in crowded environments.

Abstract: A method for instantaneously stimulating a mammalian heart is provided. The mammalian heart includes a first atrium and a second atrium. A commencement signal is received. At least one additional signal is received. A plurality of intervals corresponding to the time between two successive signals is measured. An average interval is calculated. One of the plurality of intervals is compared to the average interval. Finally, a contraction signal is instantly transmitted to the second atrium when a difference between the average interval and one of the plurality of intervals is greater than a predetermined time period, instantaneously transmitting a contraction signal to the second atrium.

Abstract: An electrosurgery medical device is enhanced with unique solution-assistance, and comprises, in combination, co-operating device jaws including jaw portions for manipulating tissue, and a plurality of solution infusion openings defined and spaced along each of the jaw portions, for receiving electrolytic solution and infusing the solution onto and into tissue to be manipulated, along said jaw portions. As preferred, the device further comprises at least one, and most preferably, many, longitudinal groove(s) along at least one and most preferably, both, of the jaw portions, with the solution infusion openings located in the groove or grooves. The solution is energized with RF energy and contributes to the functions and beneficial effects of the instrument. The solution exits the openings in the grooves at sufficient flow rates to separate substantially all the operative surfaces of the device from tissue, thereby substantially completely preventing adherence between the operative surfaces and tissue.

Abstract: New methods of characterising ventricular operations by measuring propagation characterisics of the repolarisation wavefront (the T wave) are disclosed, the methods use new descriptions of T wave Morphology Dispersion (TMD), Total Cosin R_ to _T (TCRT) and T wave energy residium to quantify the wavefront characteristics, these descriptors measure the spatial variability of the T wave Morphology, the vector deviations between the depolarisation and repolarisation wavefronts and the energy of the non-dipolar components of the ECG vector respectively. TCRT also provides a responsive descriptor for measuring autonomic tone. As such, has applications for improved pacing and autonomic nervous system monitors.

Abstract: A method for determining a representative noise floor in a cardiac pacing system from which future events are measured is provided. An event amplitude is determined. Pluralities of noise levels are recorded, when each of the plurality of noise levels is less than a predetermined percentage of the event amplitude. The noise floor is determined as an absolute maximum value of the plurality of recorded noise levels.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an intramuscular medical electrical lead, a system for providing electrical stimulation or sensing using such a lead, and methods of implanting, making and using same. The lead includes at least a first fixation member disposed distally or proximally from a sensing or stimulating electrode, and may further include a second fixation member disposed at the opposite end of the electrode form the first fixation member. The fixation members permit the electrode to be reliably and fixedly secured within a patient's muscle tissue at a desired site, and to remain so secured for a predetermined suitable period of time.

Abstract: A system and method is described for preferentially stimulating dorsal column fibers while avoiding stimulation of dorsal root fibers. The invention applies hyperpolarizing pre-pulses and depolarizing pre-pulses to neural tissue, such as spinal cord tissue, through a lead placed over the spinal cord having the electrodes arranged on a line approximately transverse to the axis of the spine. To increase the threshold needed to stimulate dorsal root fibers, the anodal pulse given by each lateral contact of the electrodes has to be preceded by a depolarizing pre-pulse and simultaneously, the central electrode contact gives a hyperpolarizing pre-pulse, thereby reducing the stimulation threshold for the dorsal column fibers to subsequent depolarizing pulses.

Abstract: An obturator prevents the tips or flaps of a duck-bill valve from self-adhering during storage or during sterilization procedures. The obturator holds the tips apart until the end-user is ready to use the valve. The duck-bill valve is used as an air outlet valve in blood reservoirs.

Abstract: There is provided an implanted system and method for delivering subsonic mechanical waves to one or more selected patient areas, said areas including the patient's heart and/or lungs. The mechanical waves are delivered for the purpose of treating fibrillation or like arrhythmias, for enhancing lung gas exchange, enhancing cardiac muscle fiber relaxation, and enhancing coronary perfusion. Mechanical waves are generated in a frequency range of about 1,100,000 Hz, and preferably 1-50,000 Hz. The waves may be delivered continuously for short or long time periods, or may be controlled in timing either with respect to detected portions of a patient's heartbeat signal or in response to a detected event such as fibrillation. In one preferred embodiment, the implantable system includes a defibrillation shock generator and control for responding to a defibrillation event by first delivering a sequence of mechanical waves and then delivering an electrical defibrillation shock.