Abstract: An apparatus for characterizing a condition of a myocardium comprising an excitation wave detector which detects an electrical excitation wave propagated through the myocardium at a first (r1) and second point (r2) of the myocardium as a first signal (S1(t)) and a second signal (S2(t)), and an analysis means which is connected to the excitation wave detector and analyzes the first signal (S1(t)) and the second signal (S2(t)), wherein the analysis means detects a difference between a signal shape of the first signal (S1(t)) and the second signal (S2(t)).

Abstract: An intravascular electrode line with a shaping suitable for fixing in a blood vessel, wherein the shaping is three-dimensional and has line portions enclosing an elongated hollow space, with a pitch direction which is different in relation to the longitudinal direction of the hollow space.

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 electrode line, in particular for an implantable electrostimulation device, which is adapted for insertion into body vessels such as heart chambers or blood vessels, comprising electrodes for the stimulation of body tissue, a longitudinal axis and a distal end, wherein there is provided at least one structural element (2) in the region of the distal end, which has an electrostrictive polymer and which can be connected to a voltage source by way of at least one electrical feed line (3) and which is adapted to change its shape when an electrical voltage is applied.

Abstract: A device for influencing cell-growth mechanisms in vessels, in particular blood vessels, of a human or animal body, wherein to influence the cell growth mechanisms there is provided an excitation device (5; 5″′) which is adapted to produce stimulation currents in a region to be treated of the vessel (3; 3″′), wherein the frequency and/or the modulation frequency of the stimulation currents is in the range of frequencies at which distribution of secondary messenger substances controlling cell growth in the cells of the vessel (3; 3″′) is influenced. Implant for influencing cell-growth mechanisms in such vessels.

Abstract: A stimulation arrangement having a stimulation unit for the delivery of electrical pulses for the stimulation of body tissue and an evaluation unit which receives electrical signals in conjunction with the delivery of a stimulation pulse and evaluates same for checking a stimulation success, wherein the evaluation unit detects in the received signal such signal features which characterize a lack of stimulation success and delivers a corresponding signal.

Abstract: A signal evaluation method for detecting QRS complexes in electrocardiogram (ECG) signals comprises the following steps:

Abstract: A stent, in particular a coronary stent, comprising a tubular body (2; 2′; 2″) for expansion from a first condition into a second condition in which it holds a vessel (18) of the human or animal body in an expanded state, wherein the tubular body (2; 2′; 2″) includes at least a first wall portion (4; 4′; 4″) comprising a human or animal tissue of adequate elasticity.

Abstract: An endoscopic catheter adapted for insertion into body cavities, comprising a distal catheter portion and an illumination device (40) which is adapted to illuminate an area around the distal catheter portion with electromagnetic radiation, and an image recording unit (60) which is adapted to record an image of the electromagnetic radiation reflected by the area around the distal catheter portion and pass it to the proximal end of the catheter (10), and an image reproduction unit (62) which is connected to the proximal end of the catheter (10) and adapted to reproduce an image of the recorded electromagnetic radiation, characterized in that the catheter (10) is adapted controllably for insertion into blood vessels, in particular blood vessels, and adapted to reproduce an image of the electromagnetic radiation reflected by the area around the distal catheter portion, with a wavelength for which blood has a high transparency.

Abstract: Apparatus for treating fibrillation of at least one chamber of a heart comprising a fibrillation detector (1) for detecting a fibrillation, a defibrillator (2) for defibrillating the chamber of the heart, wherein the defibrillator is connected to the fibrillation detector (1) and is adapted to effect defibrillation subsequently to a time interval after detection of the fibrillation, a warning device (3) which is connected to the fibrillation detector (1) and which is adapted to delivery a warning signal when a fibrillation has been detected, and a control means (4) having a control input (5) actuable by a patient, wherein the control means is connected to the defibrillator (2) and is adapted to delay the time of a defibrillation if the control means (4) receives a corresponding signal by way of the control input (5), wherein the apparatus includes a condition detector (6) which is adapted to detect a hemodynamic condition of the heart, and the control means (4) is connected to the condition detector (6) and i

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 of applying a marker element (6; 6′; 6″; 25; 25′; 26; 28) to an implant (1; 1′; 1″; 1′″; 20; 20′), in particular a stent, intended for implantation in the human or animal body, comprising a main body and an opening (3; 3′; 3″; 3′″; 21; 21′) provided in said main body (2; 2′; 2″; 2′″; 22; 22′) for receiving the marker element (6; 6′; 6″; 25; 25′; 26; 28), wherein to form at least a part of the marker element (6; 6′; 6″; 25; 25′; 26; 28) a hardenable material or material mix is introduced into the opening and hardened therein.

Abstract: A stent, in particular a peripheral stent, for self-induced expansion from a first condition in which enclosed by a sheathing device (9) it can be introduced into a vessel (8), into a second condition in which it holds the vessel (8) expanded, as a result of removal of the sheathing device (9′) from the stent (1), which occurs in a first direction (5) with respect to the stent (1), comprising a number of annular support portions (2, 2.1, 2.2) comprising bar elements (3) which are connected in the longitudinal direction of the stent (1) by way of connecting bars (4), wherein the stent is so designed that, when the sheathing device (9) is not yet completely removed, it can be restored to its first condition again by producing a relative movement of the sheathing device (9) with respect to the stent (1) in a second direction (14) in opposite relationship to the first direction (5), without hooking engagement on the sheathing device (9). A catheter and a method of positioning said stent.

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: 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) 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: An evaluation method of determining the time stationarity of measured physiological signals comprises the following steps:

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.