Abstract: A transvenous lead specifically designed for coronary sinus implantation. The lead features a fixation ring positioned adjacent to the electrode. The ring is constructed so as to be readily pliable and bent. The ring functions to wedge or fix the lead within the coronary sinus in such a manner that the electrode is pushed against the vessel wall while the flow of blood through the vessel is not impeded. In alternative embodiments the electrode is positioned on the ring itself. In further alternative embodiments the distal portion of the lead features a pre bent nose to assist in the positioning of the lead into the coronary sinus. The nose may be oriented relative to the ring in any acceptable manner to permit the ring and the electrode to be properly positioned relative to anywhere along the coronary sinus wall.

Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument includes a housing and a first connector in the housing for receiving electrical energy. A shaft assembly is movably connected to the housing. The shaft assembly also includes at least one electrode at a distal end of the shaft assembly as well as at least one conductive portion for passing the electrical energy to the electrode. A spring is positioned between the shaft assembly and the housing for biasing the shaft assembly a distance away from the first connector. The distance defines a pre-determined gap between the first connector and the shaft assembly. The shaft assembly is proximally movable in the housing upon an application of force at the shaft assembly distal end for compressing the spring such that the conductive portion traverses the predetermined gap such that electrical energy is passed from the first connector to the electrode through the conductive portion.

Abstract: An ablative catheter assembly whose electrode is completely covered by a buffer layer. The buffer layer prevents areas of high current density at the surface of the catheter tip, which helps to reduce popping and clotting. The buffer layer may be in the form of a conductive fluid (such as saline solution) pumped into a cavity surrounding the electrode. In this case, the conductive fluid couples the electrode to the surrounding tissue so that RF energy will pass from the electrode to the tissue, thereby effecting ablation. Also, the buffer layer may be in the form of a porous coating which covers an electrode tip. In this case, blood or fluid which infuses the porous coating couples the electrode tip to the surrounding tissues to be ablated.

Abstract: A medical ablation device system for treating endometrosis, gingivae or reducing the mass of cellular tissue, wherein an elongate tubular element comprises an electrode means disposed at its distal section, the energy generating means, and means for generating rotational sweeping force at the distal section of the tubular element to effect the heat treatment and the rotational sweeping massage therapy for the target tissue.

Abstract: A precordial overlay is configured for precise electrode placement on a patient as part of an electrocardiographic test. It is especially useful by emergency medical personnel who are often called upon to obtain an ECG. The precordial overlay has an elongated band having a first generally rectangular-shaped section, a second generally rectangular-shaped and an intermediate section connecting the first and second sections. Electrodes are slidably mounted in the three sections to allow for limited but quick movement from an approximate chest area location to a precise chest area location for a reliable electrocardiographic test.

Abstract: A coagulation instrument has a handle section and detachably connected thereto an electrode shank (4). Electrode conductors (5, 6) are led in the electrode shank from contact pick-off points (7, 8) situated in the direction of the handle to the operating end (9) of the electrode shank. In the region of the contact pick-off points staggered in the longitudinal direction of the electrode shank (4), directly adjacent to the respective internal conductors (5, 6), there is in each case an opening (15) in the insulating outer cover (11). In this region contact sleeves (13, 14) are arranged on the electrode shank and have a depression (16) penetrating the respective opening (15) for contacting the corresponding conductor (5) or (6).

Abstract: Multifunction and radial deflection wires (66, 64) extend from a catheter shaft (8) and into a handle (4). The multifunction wire is pulled and pushed longitudinally and is rotated about its axis to change the stiffness of and to laterally deflect the tip portion (12). A curve size manipulator (32) on the handle body (24) moves the multifunction wire longitudinally but does not hinder its rotational movement. Rotation of a lateral deflection manipulator (38) on the handle causes the proximal end (70) of the multifunction wire to rotate about its own axis; the free longitudinal movement of the proximal end is unhindered. Any initial corkscrewing or other deflection of the tip portion can be removed at assembly by rotating the proximal end (68) of the radial deflection wire. The longitudinal movement of the manipulators can be limited by movable stops (120).

Abstract: This is an artificial occlusion kit for implanting and retaining an artificial occlusion device in a body space adjacent to and extending from a body lumen in a mammal. The includes at least one occlusion device and a retaining device for blocking the migration of the occlusion device out of the occlusion site. The retaining device is radially expandable at a retaining site adjacent the body space to be occluded to a diameter that is sufficient to engage the body lumen wall at the retaining site and form a barrier across the entrance zone of the body space to be occluded. The expanded retaining device also forms a lumen for flow through body lumen at the retaining site. At least one semi-penetrable space may also be provided in the retaining device, allowing introduction of occlusion devices into the body space to be occluded, but preventing subsequent migration of the occlusion devices out of the body space.

Abstract: A substantially rectangular piece of flexible web having a first end and a second end and an elastic portion therebetween, stretchable along a longitudinal axis of the piece of web. The piece of web has a length great enough to encircle a user's waist such that the first and second ends overlap. The first end has a reclosable fastening system for attaching the first end to the piece of web near the second end in order to hold the piece of web around the user's waist when the piece of web is stretched. The back wrap further comprises a plurality of individual thermal elements embedded in the piece of web. The plurality of thermal elements have a substantially planar diamond-shaped pattern which approximates the shape of erector muscles in the user's back. The pattern has a gap transverse to the longitudinal axis which corresponds to the user's spine.

Abstract: An electrosurgical high frequency generator has a high frequency oscillator and, connected thereto, a regulatable power stage to which a patient current circuit with active and neutral electrodes can be connected via an output transformer. Three parameter sensors for the high frequency current, the high frequency voltage and the arc formation are provided at the output circuit and are connected via an interface to a microcomputer which in turn controls the power stage. In accordance with the invention, a tissue impedance sensor is additionally provided which is likewise connected to the microcomputer via the interface.

Abstract: A tissue ablation device creates long linear lesions along a body space wall of an animal, and primarily between adjacent pulmonary vein ostia in a left atrial wall. An ablation element includes first and second ends that are bordered by first and second anchors. The anchors are adapted to secure the ablation element ends at predetermined first and second locations along the body space wall such that the ablation element is adapted to ablate an elongate region of tissue between those locations. The anchors may be guidewire tracking members, each including a bore adapted to receive and track over a guidewire, and may anchor within adjacent pulmonary vein ostia when the engaged guidewires are positioned within the respective veins. Stop members may be provided on the guidewires and may be adapted for positioning the relative anchors or for forcing the anchors to fit snugly within the vein ostia.

Abstract: A device and system for creating small (e.g., less than 3 mm and preferably about 1 mm in cross dimension) openings in the anterior lens capsule of a mammalian eye to facilitate insertion of lens reduction/removal device(s) and/or cannulae for injecting flowable lens replacement materials into the lens capsule. The device generally comprises a handpiece having an electrosurgical probe extending forwardly therefrom. The electrosurgical probe incorporates an annular tip electrode which is positionable in contact with the lens capsule, to create the desired less than 3 mm opening therein. The annular electrode tip may be either monopolar or bipolar in design.

Abstract: A medical communication apparatus comprises a receiver (54) to receive a message and at least one output device (56) responsive to the receiver (54). The at least one output device (56) generates an alert for taking a first medicine and a second medicine in response to the message, and graphically indicates the first medicine and the second medicine.

Abstract: This invention relates to medical electrode systems and, in particular, to a defibrillator electrode system for use with an automatic or semi-automatic external defibrillator (AED). This invention provides a medical electrode system with two electrodes. Each electrode has a flexible substrate with an adhesive surface; a conductor disposed on the substrate; and an electrode disposed on the substrate and electrically connected to the conductor. The electrode pads are each imprinted to show the proper placement of the electrode. Additionally, the medical electrode system may have the electrode pads adhered to a single removable releasing surface. The removable releasing surface may have a fold-line along a center axis between the two electrode pads, or alternatively may have perforations along the center axis. Ideally, the imprinting on each electrode pad can be interpreted by an AED operator without reviewing the imprinting of the other electrode pad.

Abstract: A electrocardiographic electrode assembly is attached on a spot of the body that is roughly inside an electrocardiowave-appearing region, and an optimum signal discriminating circuit of an electrocardiograph discriminates an electrode that is most suitable for an electrocardiographic measurement out of the plural electrodes of the electrocardiographic electrode assembly. The electrocardiograph receives electric signals (electrocardiowaves) captured by the discriminated electrode, and stores the electric signals in a memory. The electric signals stored in the memory, after a measurement of the electrocardiovaves finishes, is given as an electrocardiographic pattern to a doctor for diagnosis. In this manner, in the electrocardiographic measurement, the electrocardiographic electrode assembly is only needed to be attached on a spot of the body that is roughly inside the electrocardiovave-appearing region. Therefore, even an amateur or nonexpert can easily perform an electrocardiographic measurement.

Abstract: A method for continuous tracking of blood alcohol, is comprised of 1) a potential- and diffusion-controlled electrochemical solid polymer electrolyte sensor that continuously and concurrently measures very low concentrations of ethanol vapor at the surface of the skin as well as skin properties such as temperature and ionic conductivity, 2) a sensor control circuit, and 3) a data acquisition-recording device. Sensitive and reproducible measurements of ethanol over a wide population range is obtained by simultaneously maintaining the potential of the sensing electrode constant at a voltage above the rest potential of the platinum/air (O.sub.2) electrode and by use of a thin, permselective diffusion-control membrane over the sensing electrode, and in series with the human stratum corneum membrane. The electrochemical oxidation current is a direct measure of the local ethanol vapor concentration over the skin surface.

Abstract: An RF activated catheter apparatus for performing transmyocardial revascularization. The catheter apparatus including an elongate catheter shaft having proximal and distal ends, the distal end including an RF emitter which is coupled to an RF generator for cutting channels into the myocardium of a patient's heart.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for use in neurophysiological research in general, and, in particular, for use on conscious, freely moving animals and on in vitro tissue samples. An array of elongated guide cannulae have lower ends which are parallel with and adjacent each other and upper ends which are inclined outwardly. Recording electrodes are slidably carried within each of the guide cannulae and an electrode adjustment mechanism moves the electrode or electrodes in each of the guide cannulae independently of the electrodes carried in the other guide cannulae. The apparatus has a capacity for recording vastly more timing patterns of neural activity than prior art devices.

Abstract: A device and method for treating infected or damaged heart valve tissue by selectively heating, applying pressure, or both to the heart valve tissue to sterilize any infected portion of the tissue, reshape any misshapen portion, effect selective thinning of any thickened portion, and reduce the floppiness of any selected portion. The heat can be applied to or induced in the heart valve tissue.

Abstract: An electrode for detecting an electric biological signal, in particular an electrocardiographic signal, and presenting a metal conducting disk and a rigid net of constant thickness and superimposed on the metal disk. A small amount of conducting fluid is poured on to and spreads throughout the net to form a layer of conducting fluid superimposed on the metal disk and presenting a constant thickness.