Abstract: A guide wire (1) is provided which can be introduced intravascularly and which is used for implanting a catheter in a heart with an electrode (2, 5). In that arrangement, the guide wire (1) is first used as a temporary electrode (2, 5) for stimulating, defibrillating and/or sensing the heart in order to determine the optimum implantation position for the catheter to be introduced. When that optimum position is determined, the guide wire (1) is left at that position and the catheter is introduced along the guide wire (1) to the ascertained position and implanted. Once the catheter is implanted, the guide wire (1) is removed.

Abstract: An apparatus for the automatic performance of diagnostic and/or therapeutic actions in body cavities is provided with a base control unit, which is to be arranged extracorporally, and with a catheter-type actuator, which is coupled therewith and which is insertable in the corresponding body cavity and which, in the vicinity of its distal end, is provided with a diagnostically active detection equipment and/or a therapeutically active treatment equipment, and which, at least in the vicinity of its distal end, is provided with an actuation mechanism, which is triggered by the base control unit, for advance and/or twist and turn control of the actuator.

Abstract: A method for the predictive calculation of a cardiac signal course incorporates the following process steps: scanning of the time progression of a cardiac signal during a certain scanning period, calculation of model coefficients according to the method of autoregressive modeling from the scanning values of the scanning period, predictive calculation of anticipated signal values following the scanning period during a prediction period according to the method of autoregressive modeling based on the scanning values and model coefficients, with the signal values calculated iteratively, in each case by entering the last predicted signal value as the last scanning value during the autoregressive modeling.

Abstract: A signal evaluation method for detecting QRS complexes in electrocardiogram signals incorporates the following process steps: sampling of the signal (4) and conversion to discrete signal values (x(n)) in chronological order, determining the sign of each signal value (x(n)), continuous checking of the signs of consecutive signal values (x(n)) for the presence of a zero crossing between two consecutive signal values (x(n)), determining the number (D(n)) of zero crossings in a defined segment (N) of the consecutive signal values (x(n)), and comparing the determined number of zero crossings (D(n)) to a defined threshold value, wherein an undershoot of the threshold value signifying the presence of a QRS complex (5, 6, 7) in the defined segment of the signal curve (4).

Abstract: A method of after-care in relation to patients with at least one electromedical implant. Data is transmitted from the implant to an external apparatus providing information for an examining clinician on the occasion of an after-care examination of the patient in an after-care arrangement. In an after-care interrogation up-to-date available data of the implant are interrogated and sent for output to corresponding output means, the data interrogation operation being effected prior to the after-care examination automatically after the patient enters an interrogation region of the after-care arrangement.

Abstract: The invention concerns a stent, in particular a coronary stent, comprising a tubular portion, wherein openings are provided in the tubular portion. The invention is distinguished in that the openings provided in the tubular portion of the stent are of a substantially T-shaped configuration.

Abstract: An electrode arrangement is provided having an electrode line which has a closed casing for sealing off its interior relative to the surrounding area. At its distal end, electrically conducting surface regions serve as electrodes. A fixing mechanism anchors the distal end in a body tissue, in particular heart tissue and is adapted to be separable from the rest of the electrode line in such a way that the rest of the electrode line is also closed at its distal end when the fixing mechanism is separated off. The interior of the electrode line is sealed off relative to the surrounding area even when the fixing element is separated off. The electrode arrangement is characterized by a mechanism for separating off the fixing mechanism, which is adapted to effect separation by virtue of forces acting axially within the electrode line.

Abstract: A stent, in particular a coronary stent, has at least one first tubular portion, and at least one second tubular portion. The first and second tubular portions are connected together by at least one first connecting means. The stent is distinguished in that the at least one first connecting means is in the form of a double bar.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing physiological signals, which includes a signal pick-up unit for picking up physiological measurement signals, in particular for picking up electrical signals of a heart, and first detection means which are connected to the signal pick-up unit and include signal processing means such as a filter and a first threshold value store and a comparison unit which is connected thereto and which is adapted to output a first marker signal if the amplitude of the measurement signal exceeds a threshold value stored in the first threshold value store, second detection means which are connected to the signal pick-up unit and include a second threshold value store and a second comparison unit which is connected thereto and which is adapted to output a second marker signal if the amplitude of the measurement signal exceeds a threshold value stored in the second threshold value store, and an evaluation unit which is connected to the first and second detection means for taking over a respective serie

Abstract: An operating method for an implantable cardiologic device comprises the following steps for detection of a significant event or condition a patient is subject to: measurement of intracardiac impedance; detection of the morphologic signal course of the impedance, based on at least two morphologically representative parameters of the signal course; continuous storage of the parameter data from a defined measuring period; computation of a correlation coefficient for the stored parameter data; and comparison of the correlation coefficient with a reference correlation coefficient, with transgression of a defined deviation of the correlation coefficient from the reference correlation coefficient indicating the presence of a significant event.

Abstract: The invention concerns a sensor for obtaining information about the state of an organism for a medical therapy apparatus, preferably for a therapy apparatus for the electrostimulation or other treatment of the heart. The invention is distinguished by at least one sensor element for detecting molecular-genetic information. The invention further concerns a medical therapy apparatus having a sensor of that kind.

Abstract: A cardiological device having a sensor, adapted to pick up at least one cardiac signal, and a signal processor including a first detector connected to the sensor, adapted to detect an individual signal or a feature parameter of the cardiac signal, wherein the signal processor further includes an averager connected to the first detector, for forming an average over a plurality of values of the feature parameter or over a plurality of individual signals, a second detector connected to the sensor, adapted to detect cardiological events, in particular extrasystoles, and a first comparator that is connected to the second detector, the averager and the first detector and which are adapted to determine a deviation of a feature parameter or individual signal ascertained in immediate time relationship with an event such as an extrasystole, from the corresponding average.

Abstract: An intravascular electrode arrangement 10 includes a first and a second electrode line 12, 14 adapted for placement in blood vessels such as veins or arteries, each having at least one stimulation and/or sensing electrode in the region of the distal end of the respective electrode line, wherein there are longitudinal guides 18, 18′, 18″, 18′″ provided externally on the first electrode line 12, 12′, 12″, 12′″ for the second electrode line 14.

Abstract: A stent has a tubular portion which has openings that are of a substantially V-shaped configuration.

Abstract: The invention is based on the concept of providing a fuzzy inference machine having a fuzzy logic unit. The fuzzy logic unit converts an input value into a fuzzy scalar on the basis of scalar fuzzy operators. The converted fuzzy scalars are processed by means of fuzzy interconnection operators to give scalar output values.

Abstract: An electrode arrangement provides an electrode line (10) carrying at least a first fixing element (16) which is designed to fix the electrode line to body tissue, especially the myocardium of a heart, and which is arranged at a spacing relative to the distal end (12) of the electrode line (10), wherein the first fixing element (16) is fixedly connected to the electrode line (10) and has a free first end (40) which has a component of extension in a direction tangential with respect to the electrode line (10) and which is of such a configuration that the first fixing element (16) penetrates into body tissue that is adjacent to the electrode line in the situation of use by a rotary movement of the electrode line (10) about the longitudinal axis thereof.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method of signaling an internal status of an implantable cardiac stimulation device, which status is defined by a value of a status parameter, including the steps: a) Recording a measurement value (S12) representing the status parameter, b) Ascertaining the existence of the status by comparison of the measurement value with a comparative value (S14), c) Delivering a signal pulse with a predetermined, measurable pulse parameter, wherein the pulse parameter is uniquely associated with the status if the measurement value corresponds to the comparative value within predetermined limits (S26). In accordance with the invention the time difference of equal, predetermined phases of two successive, periodically recurring events prior to delivery of the signal pulse is measured (S20), and then the signal pulse is delivered prior to or after the next expiry of the measured time difference by a predeterminable period of time uniquely associated with the status (S22, S24, S26).

Abstract: An electrode arrangement (10) comprising a first electrode cable (12) which is to be inserted into the coronary sinus and which has an electrode conductor (32) and at least one electrode (38, 40) for outputting and/or receiving electrical signals in the coronary sinus. Longitudinally slidably guidable in the lumen of the first electrode cable (12) at least in a longitudinal portion-wise manner is a second electrode cable (14) which can issue from the first electrode cable through an opening (52) at the distal end thereof and which is adapted for insertion into a cardiac vein which opens into the coronary sinus.

Abstract: A catheter (10, 10′, 10″, 10′″), in particular for insertion into blood vessels of the human body, having at least one sensor (32) which is arranged at the distal end (12) of the catheter (10, 10′, 10″, 10′″) and which is adapted to pick up a spacing signal which is dependent on the spacing of the sensor (32) with respect to the vessel wall, and control means (36, 36′, 36″) which are connected to the sensor for taking over the spacing signal.

Abstract: In order to ensure a simple structure and precise handling in the case of a catheter, in particular a bi- or unidirectionally deflectable ablation catheter, comprising a flexible guide tube (3) which extends from a gripping element (1) and which terminates in a catheter tip (6) for treating or investigating a hollow organ in a body, wherein provided for deflection purposes there is at least one draw wire (13a; 13b) which extends within the flexible guide tube (3) and which is fixed to the tip (6) of the catheter and which is movable by way of a transmission means disposed in the gripping element (1) for converting the rotary movement of a manual control wheel (7) into a longitudinal movement for the draw wire (13a; 13b), it is proposed that provided as the transmission means is a toothed drive pulley (8) which is coupled to the control wheel (7) and which correspondingly engages into the teeth of a toothed belt (9) which is guided over guide means within the gripping element (1) in such a way that the draw wi