Abstract: An apparatus for measuring parameters preparatory to a stent replacement of an aneurytic blood vessel in a patient (26) includes a computed tomography (CT) scanner (10) that acquires image data (28) corresponding to multiple two-dimensional image slices. A reconstruction processor (32) reconstructs a three-dimensional image representation (34) from the image data (28). A tracking processor (40) produces a tracked vessel (92) including at least a centerline (80) and selected vessel boundaries (86). A user interface (44) displays a rendering (242) of the image representation to an associated user (42), measures selected vascular parameters corresponding to the stent parameters (276), and graphically superimposes the measured parameters on the rendering of the image representation (270, 272).

Abstract: An ultrasound transducer array (408) includes at least one transducer element (412) having a first (604) and second (606) portions separated by an acoustical discontinuity (520). The first portion (604) has the desired length to form a half-wave k31 resonance, while the second portion (606) has a resonant length for an undesired very low frequency out-of-band k31 resonance. The thickness of the transducer element (412) is designed for k33 half-resonance. Given the design, the transducer element (412) can operate and provide for both forward-looking (514) and side looking (512) elevation apertures. A method is also disclosed for using the disclosed ultrasound transducer (412) in ultrasound imaging.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for treating a living body or tissue with shock waves originating from at least two sources to a focal area on or within said living body or tissue. The apparatus is particularly for treating an illness or fragmenting stones or concretions. The sources of shock waves are at different angles from one another. An objective of the invention is to induce a localized effective shock wave treatment area and at the same time to minimize or abolish the unwanted tissue damage effects outside the treatment area.

Abstract: A device and methods for filtering blood clot particles from blood from patient undergoing treatment for a thrombotic condition with a catheter are described. The device comprises a housing having a first end defining a fluid port, an opposite end defining a suction port, and a valve member disposed between the fluid port and the reservoir. The valve member has a semipermeable membrane portion permeable to blood but impermeable to blood clot particles and a one way valve portion having an open position permitting passage of fluid and particles from the fluid port to the reservoir and a closed position blocking passage of particles between the reservoir and the fluid port.

Abstract: A system for determining the condition of a patient's heart comprises a plurality of electrodes for producing cardiac signals and means for converting the cardiac signals into digital form. Data processing means is programmed to process the digital cardiac signals to determine a plurality of parameters of the patient's heartbeat and determine the condition of the patient's heart using a binary decision tree algorithm. The algorithm has a plurality of decision nodes each of which makes a decision based upon the value(s) of a subset of the parameters, the decision criterion of at least one of the said decision nodes being modified according to the value of at least one parameter not of the subset. In addition, at at least one node, the respective subset of parameters may be determined according to the value of at least one parameter not of the subset.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for removing gas from a blood handling system. A filter apparatus for monitoring and removing gas is provided comprising of a gas removal/blood filter, a sensor to sense the presence of gas, and a valve operably coupled to the sensor to evacuate gas from the apparatus when the sensor detects an accumulation of gas. When used with a previously known blood handling system, the present filter apparatus facilitates priming and the addition of additional blood handling elements during operation of the blood handling system.

Abstract: An endoscopic infusion needle device includes a catheter within which an injection tube having a distal injection needle is slideably disposed. A proximal actuating handle is coupled to the proximal ends of the catheter and the injection tube, and a distal stopping structure is provided on distal portions of the catheter and the injection tube. In one embodiment, the stopping structures include a rigid elongate skeletal structure occupying a portion of the annular space between the tube and the catheter, and an annular band on the tube which resides within the skeletal structure. The skeletal structure fits tightly within the cannula, allows irrigation fluid to pass through the annular space between the tube and the catheter to exit the distal end of the catheter, prevents the annular band from escaping through the proximal end or the distal end of the skeletal structure, and maintains the tube in substantial axial alignment with the catheter.

Abstract: A hollow tubular element is inserted in the descending aorta. The caudad end contains a pressure sensitive passive or preferably, hydraulically or electrically activated, unidirectional valve. A flexible diaphragm situated in a rigid shell affixed over an opening in the element wall divides the shell interior into first and second variable volume chambers. The first chamber opens to the artery. A continuously operating electrical pump is connected to the second chamber through a closed hydraulic system including a multi-valve chamber. The valves regulate fluid flow to the second chamber in accordance with electrical signals from the heart. Fluid flow is directed to the second chamber during cardiac diastole and away from the second chamber during cardiac systole, causing the device to function in a counterpulsation mode. The work of the heart is decreased and coronary blood flow is increased to promote the formation of new coronary collateral channels and the perfusion of the heart itself.

Abstract: In a method for the operation of a magnetic resonance apparatus having a gradient system and a radio-frequency system that, among other things, are utilized for location coding of magnetic resonance signals, magnetic resonance signals from at least parts of a region of an examination subject to be imaged are acquired in a time sequence, and a deformation of the region to be imaged occurring during the time sequence is identified and the location coding is adapted according to the identified deformation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for determining the position of at least one object in a navigation system of co-ordinates, wherein: reference points and/or markers (4) are connected in a defined positional relationship to the object; the position of the object is detected in relation to a detection system of co-ordinates; the position of the reference points (4) is detected in relation to the detection system of co-ordinates; the position of the reference points is detected in relation to a navigation system of co-ordinates; and the position of the object is determined in the navigation system of co-ordinates, from the position of the at least one reference point (4) in the detection system of co-ordinates; as well as to a device for determining the position of an object in a navigation system of co-ordinates.

Abstract: A tube system comprising a blood inlet line with an arterial patient connection and a blood return line with a venous patient connection, where a rinsing liquid inlet line branches off from the blood inlet line downstream from the arterial patient connection, and a rinsing liquid return line branches off from the blood return line upstream from the venous patient connection is filled while maintaining sterility in that rinsing liquid is pumped from a rinsing liquid container through the rinsing liquid inlet line, the blood inlet line, the blood return line and the rinsing liquid return line, establishing a liquid connection between the rinsing liquid inlet line and return line. The venous patient connection is sealed liquid-tight with a venous safety cap, and the arterial patient connection is sealed liquid-tight with an arterial safety cap. The safety caps are removed from the patient connections for connecting the tube system to the patient.

Abstract: A device and method for increasing the safety of an extracorporeal blood treatment machine are based on monitoring transmembrane pressure. The transmembrane pressure measured by a measuring device during the treatment is compared with an upper limit transmembrane pressure L1 and a lower limit transmembrane pressure L2 which define a monitoring window. If the transmembrane pressure is outside this monitoring window, an alarm is triggered by an alarm device. The monitoring window is shifted as a function of the ultrafiltration rate. To determine the window limits, the transmembrane pressure is established after a change in the ultrafiltration rate is calculated. Thereafter, the window limits are determined on the basis of the expected transmembrane pressure.

Abstract: Defibrillators are provided that include a passive airway support device.

Abstract: A packaged ocular irrigating solution bag, which comprises a gas-permeable plastic multiple compartment bag and a gas-impermeable plastic packaging member for packaging the bag and in which an oxiglutatione-containing solution or solid preparation is enclosed in one compartment and a bicarbonate ion solution is enclosed in another compartment and the space between the bag and the packaging member has a carbon dioxide gas atmosphere.

Abstract: An implantable cardiac stimulation system senses electrical activity of all four chambers of the heart and delivers pacing and defibrillation pulses to all four chambers of the heart. The system includes a lead system consisting of first and second leads. The first lead includes a right ventricular pacing electrode, a right ventricular defibrillation electrode, and a right atrial defibrillation lead. The second lead is implantable in the coronary sinus of the heart and includes a left ventricular pacing electrode, a left ventricular defibrillation electrode, a left atrial pacing electrode, and a left atrial defibrillation electrode. A right atrial pacing electrode is carried by one of the first and second leads.

Abstract: A catheter employs an inner guide with a pre-formed distal tip, an outer guide with a predetermined deflection location, and a proximal actuator. The inner guide can be longitudinally extended and axially rotated relative to the outer guide. The proximal actuator can adjustably change a bend angle of the predetermined deflection location. The catheter can be deployed with the inner guide retracted inside the distal end of the outer catheter. The extensible and rotatable inner catheter can be combined with the adjustable bend angle of the outer guide to provide an improved system for accessing and cannulating venous structures.

Abstract: An improved method and device for performing anti-tachycardia pacing (ATP) to convert a ventricular tachycardia (VT) to normal sinus rhythm. Pairs of pacing/sensing electrodes are placed in or on each of the left and right ventricles. Each pair of electrodes is shorted together to produce unipolar electrodes that are used for ATP.

Abstract: An implantable system having a left ventricular pacing lead for implantation in the great cardiac vein via the coronary sinus of a patient's heart. The pacing lead includes a sensor for measuring the velocity of blood flowing through the coronary sinus. An implantable medical device (IMD) coupled to the pacing lead monitors the blood flow signal from the sensor and delivers pacing pulses to the patient's heart as a function of the blood flow signal. The IMD integrates the blood flow signal to estimate blood flow volume and adjusts a pacing parameter of the pacing pulses to maximize the blood flow. In a multi-chamber pacing system, the IMD continuously adjusts the atrial and ventricular (AV) delay in order to maximize the integral of the velocity signal received from pacing lead. In a multisite pacing system, where the IMD includes a plurality of ventricular pacing leads, the IMD adjusts the interventricular delay.

Abstract: A cuvette having a pedestal for transmitting light through a relatively thin layer of blood. While the pedestal enables the use of a small path length it also permits the use of a high volume and/or high flow rate conduit. The pedestal further enables methods of determining various blood parameters in which the path length, d, is fixed; i.e., there are little or no pulsatile variations. Hence, the flow-through cuvette accommodates a large range of blood flow rates without any reduction in accuracy of the hematocrit measurement. The pedestal, because of its elliptical shape, does not damage or hemolyze the individual red blood cells as they pass through. A quantitative method for determining changes in blood volume in view of the path length is provided along with a method for measuring a patient's cardiac output and oxygen consumption rate. Cardiac output is obtained by injecting a saline arterial bolus and a saline venous bolus into a patient and measuring the change in hematocrit caused by each bolus.

Abstract: A heart therapy device includes a heart rate detector unit for detecting a heart rate, an evaluation and control unit adaptable to evaluate a measured heart rate and output a therapy control signal, and a therapy unit coupled to the output of the evaluation and control means for realizing at least one therapy having a predetermined therapy. The evaluation and control unit includes a three-area memory for storing heart rate value ranges, a heart rate discriminator for allocating a measured heart rate and outputting a first, second or third discriminator output signal, a stability evaluation unit for outputting a stability output signal and evaluating heart rate stability over a predetermined period of time in response to the output of the second heart rate discriminator output signal, and a logical processing unit for processing the second discriminator output.