Abstract: A method of calculating the heart rate variability of the human heart to be used in an ECG monitor comprises the following procedural steps: scanning of the ECG signal received from the ECG monitor during a scanning interval, determining from the scanned ECG signals a number of discrete measuring values representative of the heart rate variability, and evaluating these measuring values on the basis of the Fourier transformation, wherein the frequency spectre of the measuring values is calculated from the Fourier coefficients of the Fourier transformation, which are for their turn calculated from a combination of said measuring values with the sinus- and cosinus-shaped Fourier vectors of the Fourier transformation wherein the Fourier vectors are involved in the calculation in the form of a number of discrete real numerical vector values, and replacing of the numerical vector values for calculating the frequency spectrumof the scanned measuring values by rough, integral approximate vector values of a limite

Abstract: The invention is based on the idea of providing an electrical therapy device which has a blocking triggering unit and a re-use blocking unit, wherein the re-use blocking unit prevents the functions of the electrical therapy device during implantation in dependence on the condition of the blocking triggering unit. The blocking triggering unit is triggered either upon implantation or explantation of the electrical therapy device.

Abstract: An implantable measuring device includes a catheter-like main body that can be positioned in a body cavity. The main body has a pressure-sensitive sensor thereon and a signal line is coupled to the sensor. The signal line transmits measuring signals generated by the sensor and corresponding to the detected pressure to a signal evaluation unit. A cleaning element is coupled to the sensor. The cleaning element is in the form of a piezoelectric actuator that can be set to vibrate by electrical excitation. The vibrations of the cleaning unit are transferable to the sensor for the removal of deposits.

Abstract: A capture-detection cardiac pacemaker wherein a stimulation success can be reliably detected immediately after stimulation pulse output. The cardiac pacemaker according to this invention generally includes at least one stimulation electrode arranged in the region of the heart designed to output stimulation pulses to the heart, and a control unit connected to a pulse generator for controlling the stimulation pulse output. The control unit is connected to a sensor arranged at the myocardium for checking stimulation success at the heart by detecting the myocardial impedance pattern immediately after a stimulation pulse output and still within the diastolic phase of the heart, and controlling the stimulation pulse output based thereon.

Abstract: A rate-adaptive cardiac pacemaker (1) comprising sensor means (1a through 4) for detecting a measurement parameter (RR) in the body of a patient, which is related to the circulation function, stimulation means (8, 2) for producing and outputting stimulation pulses to the heart (H) of the patient and rate control means (5) for establishing the rate of the stimulation pulses (SRabs) in dependence on the measurement parameter which is related to the circulation function, wherein the rate control means have an adjusting device (7) which is adapted for absolute value adjustment of a lower limit rate (SRmin) of the stimulation pulses and/or the configuration of a rate control characteristic curve (6a) describing the dependency of the rate of the stimulation pulses on the measurement parameter, in a stable state of low physical load.

Abstract: The invention concerns an implantable defibrillator (1) comprising a chargeable voltage source (2) and a pulse generator (3) which is formed from a voltage multiplier (5) and a capacitor (4) chargeable to the defibrillation voltage. Provided between the capacitor (4) and the voltage source (2) is a line connection (6) by way of which electrical energy which has not been consumed or which is not required for the tissue stimulation procedure can be returned from the capacitor to the voltage source.

Abstract: Method for avoiding the detection of a far-field QRS by the atrial detector of a heart pacemaker or ICD while allowing the detection of a true atrial signal to a maximum possible extent; the method comprising generating a Short Atrial Refractory Period (SARP) following an atrial sensed or paced event by means of a SARP timer, blanking of the atrial detector following a ventricular paced event, generating a Post Ventricular Short Atrial Refractory Period (PVSARP) following a ventricular sensed or paced event by means of a PVSARP timer, generating a temporary decrease in the sensivity of an amplifier for the atrial signal for a time period following the elapse of the mentioned PVSARP, and gradually increasing the sensitivity of the amplifier for the atrial signal after said time period.

Abstract: A method of monitoring patients with at least one electromedical implant, in which at least one first data transmission is effected between the implant provided with a first transmitting/receiving device and at least one external apparatus provided with a second transmitting/receiving device. At least first data are transmitted from the implant to the external apparatus and at least one second data transmission is effected between the external apparatus and at least one central storage arrangement for the storage of first data, by a telecommunication connection which is at least partially made by way of a mobile radio network. The transmission at least of the first data to the central storage arrangement is effected by way of the portion, formed by the mobile radio network, of the telecommunication connection in the form of at least one SM-string (Short Message String).

Abstract: An electromedical implant (1), in particular a cardiac pacemaker, having a close-range telemetry device for data exchange with an external apparatus (2), which includes at least a close-range antenna (47) and a close-range transmitter/receiver unit with a close-range transmitter (44), a telemetry unit (45) connected thereto and an antenna interface device (46) which is connected to the telemetry unit (45) and by way of which the close-range antenna (47) is connected to the close-range transmitter/receiver unit, wherein there is provided a long-range transmitter (48) connected to the telemetry unit (45) to provide a long-range telemetry device.

Abstract: A method for determining the baroreflex provides a non-invasive measurement of cardiac-interval periods, and a mathematical analysis of these measurement values on the basis of non-linear dynamic methods.

Abstract: An implantable electrode arrangement which includes an electrode line (10, 10′) with a plurality of electrically conductive surface regions (14, 16) in the region of the distal end of the electrode line for outputting electrical signals to a heart and/or for receiving signals from a heart, which can be electrically connected by way of the electrode line (10, 10′) to a cardioelectric device such as a defibrillator or cardiac pacemaker, which device receives electrical signals and/or outputs pulses, wherein there are switching means (20, 22; 34) which are of such an arrangement and configuration that the connection between individual ones of the electrically conducting surface regions (14, 16) and the cardioelectric device can be permanently switched on or off in the region of the electrode line (10, 10′).

Abstract: A method for discriminating between externally-radiated, electromagnetic interference signals and electromedical scanning signals comprises the following steps: the preamplification of the scanning signals by means of two preamplifiers; the comparison of the preamplified scanning signals by a comparator; the phase-sensitive evaluation of the comparator output signal for differentiating between scanning signals and interference signals; the feedback of the comparator output signal to the amplification control of the preamplifiers such that the comparator output signal is minimized when an interference signal is detected.

Abstract: An implantable electrode arrangement which includes an electrode line (10) with a plurality of electrically conductive surface regions in the region of the distal end of the electrode line (10) for outputting electrical signals to a heart and/or for receiving signals from a heart, which can be connected by way of at least one electric line (18) of the electrode line (10) to a cardioelectric device such as a defibrillator or cardiac pacemaker, which device receives electrical signals and/or outputs pulses, wherein arranged in the electrode line (10) are switching means which are connected to the electric line (18) and at least one electrically conducting surface region and which are such that they can make or break a connection between the electrically conducting surface region and the cardioelectric device in the region of the electrode line (10), and arranged in the electrode line (10) are control means which are connected to the electric line (18) for receiving control signals and to the switching means for

Abstract: A telemetry coil arrangement for the telemetric reception of transmitted signals, in particular in cardiologic implants, comprises coils of varying diameters and numbers of windings suited thereto.

Abstract: A stent, in particular a peripheral stent, for expansion from a first condition in which it can be introduced into a vessel (8; 8′″) into a second condition in which it holds the vessel (8; 8′″) expanded, comprising a number of annular support portions (2, 2.1, 2.

Abstract: A stent, in particular a coronary stent, for expansion from a first condition into an expanded second condition in which it holds a vessel in an expanded state, comprising a tubular body whose peripheral surface (1) is formed by a number of annular support portions (2, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3) comprising bar elements (3, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3) which are connected in the longitudinal direction of the stent by way of connecting bars (4, 4.1, 4.2), wherein the bar elements (3.1) of at least a first support portion (2.1) and a second support portion (2.2) in adjacent relationship in a first direction (6.1) extend in a meander configuration in the peripheral direction of the stent and the connecting bars (4, 4.1, 4.2) to the second support portion (2.2) engage in the region of the turning points (5, 5.2, 5.3) of the first support portion (2.1), which turning points face in the first direction (6.1), wherein at least two adjacent connecting bars (4.1, 4.2) engage respectively in the region of a turning point (5.

Abstract: A stent, in particular a coronary stent, for expansion from a first condition into an expanded second condition in which it holds a vessel in an expanded state, comprising a tubular body whose peripheral surface (1) is formed by a number of support portions (2) which extend in the longitudinal direction of the stent and which comprise bar elements (3) which are connected by way of connecting bars (4), wherein there is provided a number of support portion groups (1.1) with at least a first support portion (2.1) and a second support portion (2.2, 2.3) in adjacent relationship in the peripheral direction of the stent, whose bar elements (3.1, 3.2, 3.3) extend in a meander configuration in the longitudinal direction of the stent, and wherein the first engagement points (4.1, 4.2) of first connecting bars (4) engage the first support portion (2.1) and the second engagement points (4.2, 4.4) of the first connecting bars (4) engage the second support portion (2.2, 2.

Abstract: A cardiological device having a sensor, adapted to pick up at least one cardiac signal, and signal processing means including first detection means connected to the sensor, adapted to detect an individual signal or a feature parameter of the cardiac signal, wherein the signal processing means further include averaging means connected to the first detection means, for forming an average over a plurality of values of the feature parameter or over a plurality of individual signals, second detection means connect to the sensor, adapted to detect cardiological events, in particular extrasystoles, and first comparison means which are connected to the second detection means, the averaging means and the first detection means 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: The invention is directed to a method of controlling the stimulation amplitude of a cardiologic implant which includes a stimulation impedance during delivery of left chamber stimulation pulses in the form of a measured value representative of the delivered stimulation pulse as a criterion for capture; determining and storing a comparative simulation impedance value representative of the stimulation; detecting an amplitude threshold for capture by determination of a significant change in the detected stimulation impedance as compared to the stored comparative stimulation impedance value; and then adjusting the stimulation amplitude on the basis of the detected amplitude threshold.

Abstract: The invention concerns a balloon catheter (1) for dilating vascular constrictions and for simultaneously introducing a permanently deformable stent (9) into the vessel to be dilated in order to stabilize it in the dilated condition, wherein the distal region of the catheter which is intended to receive the stent has an inner tube (2) which is surrounded by the non-expanded stent, the balloon (7) is arranged between the stent (9) and the inner tube (2) and the inner tube has at its ends as X-ray markings two sleeves (3, 4) which are carried thereon and which comprise an X-ray-opaque material and which are provided within the balloon on the inner tube, wherein provided between the inner tube and the outer balloon is a tube (5) which forms an additional plateau and which comprises a soft-elastic material as an intermediate layer, in such a way that it extends in the longitudinal direction to beyond the sleeves forming the X-ray markings.