Abstract: A wide bandwidth multifrequency direct contact type microwave physiotherapeutic apparatus for replacing acupuncture therapy in medical and hygenic practice is provided. The apparatus comprises a microwave generator with a multifrequency output varying within a range of 100-3,000 MHz, and an applicator made up of an inner conductor and an outer conductor, both of which maintain direct contact with skin during treatment. The outer conductor also serves as a screening structure. The conductors are shaped to ensure a good impedance match between the applicator and the human body and to avoid microwave leakage to the environment.

Abstract: A bipolar electrode is a disc of bio-compatable material. Wires are passed through the disc and terminate on one side in bead shaped electrode means of conductive material and out the other end to a power supply. The conductive material is, in one aspect, silver. In one embodiment, the disc is silicone rubber. In another and preferred embodiment the disc is of polypropylene mesh permitting tissue ingrowth and secure attachment.

Abstract: A portable, interactive medical electronic device exemplified by a defibrillator. The device obtains information about a patient's condition, such as ECG and transthoracic impedance data, directly from the patient, and information pertinent to the treatment of the patient indirectly through an operator of the device, and produces a medically appropriate action such as a defibrillation shock in response. Indirect information is obtained through information processing means that includes means for prompting the operator of the device and means for receiving the operator's responses thereto. Prompts may include both questions and instructions, and in one embodiment the information processing means obtains the assent of the operator before causing the defibrillation shock. Indirect information may include information as to whether the patient is conscious, and as to whether or not cardiopulmonary resuscitation has been performed.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an instrument for the electrotherapeutic self-treatment of pain and insomnia comprising a set of three plates, coplanar one with respect to the other and interspaced, the two outside ones of which are connected to the negative pole of a current generator constituted by a microbattery, while the one in the center is connected to the positive pole. The outside plates and the one in the center define electrodes made of metal of different characteristics, the former zinc and the latter brass.In this way, two different electric fields are originated: one at the surface due to the diversity in the nature of the electrodes and one deep-seated due to the auxiliary generator.

Abstract: A system for determining the heart rate in response to an electrocardiogram (EKG) signal that has been filtered by performing an autoregressive analysis, low-pass filtered by performing a digital filtering function, and the rate determined by utilizing a digital peak detection technique. In a heart rate detection system, the EKG signal from an EKG instrument is first digitized and then the colored noise component is removed from the digitized EKG samples by performing a linear predictive coding filtering function on the EKG samples. After the colored noise has been filtered from the digitized EKG samples, a low-pass filtering function is performed to remove high-frequency white noise by utilizing a digital finite impulse response filter. Finally, the heart rate is determined from the previously filtered EKG samples by a peak detection technique that performs a recursive algorithm to determine both the amplitude of the remaining peaks in the EKG samples and the period between these peaks.

Abstract: Glaucoma treatment apparatus and methodology employs a transcutaneous electronic wave to suppress pain and reduce intra-ocular pressure. A first positive contact electrode is placed at the temple of the head, and a second negative contact electrode is placed at the web of the ipsilateral hand. An electronic current wave comprising relatively high frequency pulses with a low frequency amplitude modulation is then applied between the first to the second electrodes.

Abstract: An implantable cardioversion system employing a bipolar electrode for R-wave sensing, the system utilizing heart rate averaging and probability density function techniques in determining whether or not the heart of a patient is to be automatically cardioverted. An improved bipolar electrode facilitates acquisition of a highly accurate R-wave. The implantable system is further provided with the capabilities of (1) providing, upon magnet-type interrogation, an audible indication of proper placement of the bipolar electrode in the body of a patient, (2) providing an audible indication to verify the status of the implanted device (activated or deactivated), (3) the capability of providing, upon request, a transmitted signal modulated with stored information corresponding to the number of times cardioversion of the patient has taken place, (4) the capability of preventing external cardioversion shock from being shunted across the electrodes, and (5) the capability of detecting average heart rate.

Abstract: A multi-frequency transmission system for implanted hearing aid includes an external transmitting part and an encapsuled receiver part implantable into middle ear of the user. The transmitting part includes a microphone, a speech processor including a set of audio frequency band pass filters connected respectively via adjustable threshold switches to pulse shapers which release an audio frequency band only when an adjusted threshold level is exceeded. A plurality of high frequency transmitters is modulated by the signals from the pulse shapers. A pair of additional high frequency transmitters is controlled by the pulses from the speech processor to alternately transmit high frequency pulses corresponding to the polarity of the triggering pulses. A frequency channel selector is connected between the transmitters and the speech processor to activate simultaneously one of the transmitters from the bipolar high frequency stage and one of the amplitude modulated transmitters.

Abstract: A portable, interactive medical electronic device exemplified by a defibrillator. The device obtains information about a patient's condition, such as ECG and transthoracic impedance data, directly from the patient, and information pertinent to the treatment of the patient indirectly through an operator of the device, and produces a medically appropriate action such as a defibrillation shock in response. Indirect information is obtained through information processing means that includes means for prompting the operator of the device and means for receiving the operator's responses thereto. Prompts may include both questions and instructions, and in one embodiment the information processing means obtains the assent of the operator before causing the defibrillation shock. Indirect information may include information as to whether the patient is conscious, and as to whether or not cardiopulmonary resuscitiation has been performed.

Abstract: An electrode cuff (B) including a dielectric sleeve (10) and an annular cathode electrode (20) is disposed around a nerve trunk (A). An anode electrode (22) is disposed in body fluids in electrical communication with the nerve trunk. The cathode electrode is disposed off center within the dielectric sleeve. The flow of electric current from the anode to the cathode has a much greater amplitude along the nerve in the direction extending along the nerve trunk toward the cathode from the end of the dielectric sleeve toward which the cathode electrode is closest. A signal generator (C) applies a pulse train across the anode and cathode electrodes. The pulse train includes a plurality of alternating first amplitude pulse portions (40) and opposite polarity pulse portions (42). Each first polarity pulse includes a sharp leading edge (50) which rises abruptly to a preset amplitude (52).

Abstract: The self-suturing porous electrode assembly includes an electrode with a finely grained porous coating and a wire, both embedded in a silicone rubber body with a contact face of the electrode protruding from a lower surface of the body. The body is generally planar with pairs of holes therethrough for receiving the legs of U-shaped spring anchor members of surgical spring steel. Each pair of legs is connected at the upper ends thereof to a bight and have at their lower ends sharply pointed outwardly, and downwardly sloping curved prongs which are spring biased outwardly. In an upper armed position the prongs are retained in tensioned condition adjacent the lower surface of the body by means of one or two wedges inserted between the upper surface of the body and the bights. Activation is achieved by removal of the wedges which allows the legs to move downwardly in a spread apart, snap action movement so as to drive the prongs downwardly and outwardly into adjacent myocardial tissue.

Abstract: Provided in order to avoid or at least reduce the problems produced by the passive electrode of a heart pacemaker system is a layer having a high double layer capacitance at the phase boundary with the bodily fluid. Advantageous to that end is a porous layer comprised of a carbide, nitride or carbonitride of at least one of the metals titanium, vanadium, zirconium, niobium, molybdenum, hafnium, tantalum or tungsten. The layer can also be comprised of activated carbon with a microporous exposed surface. The layer is produced in the simplest manner by means of roughening the existing electrode surface at its active area.

Abstract: An invasive electrical stimulation device includes a cathode an anode, each comprising a thin electrically conductive sheet having one exposed surface and the opposite surface covered with an insulation layer. A pair of insulated leads connect the cathode and anode to an implantable power pac which includes a source of electric power and an insulating encasement surrounding the same. The cathode may be equipped with a plurality of spaced-apart FM channel monitors which are electrically connected to an FM telemetry component within the power pac for transmitting signals indicative of the healing response of a fracture to electrical stimulation. A frequency modulated current regulator may be added to the power pac for adjusting the amperage in response to FM control signals from a remote transmitter or automatically by an implantable computer assisted device.

Abstract: A self-curling sheet (A) of non-conductive material is biased to curl into a tight spiral. A cut out (22) is removed from one corner of the sheet such that, when the sheet spirals, a passage (28) defined axially therethrough has one portion with a smaller diameter and another portion with a larger diameter. A pair of conductive strips (40, 50) are disposed on the self-curling sheet such that one extends peripherally around each of the larger and smaller diameter regions of the passage therethrough. The conductive segments may be electrically conductive for applying electrical impulses or fluid conductive for infusing medications. In use, a first edge (14) of the self-curling sheet is disposed adjacent a nerve trunk which is to receive the cuff therearound. The self-curling sheet is controllably permitted to curl around the nerve forming an annular cuff therearound.

Abstract: Body stimulator apparatus comprises a portable housing containing a signal generator that supplies a periodically varying treatment signal of ultrasonic frequency and given voltage and current to electrodes applied to a living body to be treated. A retrievable record of the time of treatment is stored in digital form and the voltage and current are sensed and analog representations thereof are fed to a normally disabled analog to digital converter. The converter is enabled by synchronizing pulses from a separate test instrument and the analog representations converted to digital form are latched and loaded into a shift register array with the stored record of the treatment time and shifted out therefrom serially to the test instrument by clock pulses generated by the latter.The test instrument is actuatable to generate the synchronizing and clock pulses required to enable the converter and actuate the shift register.

Abstract: A device for the electrostimulation therapy of a type having at least one circuit with a pair of electrodes, a program memory and a control unit is provided with a microprocessor for producing desired curves and frequencies responsive to information and instructions from program memory and the control unit, an intermediate memory associated with the microprocessor for storing data in the form of instantaneous values representing the curves and frequencies, and address means for providing an output of the instantaneous values stored in the intermediate memory responsive to a demand from the microprocessor for information for providing a curve. The device can be adapted for electrical interference therapy such that the device has two separate circuits and two associated pair of electrodes. The adapted device has an intermediate memory, for storing instantaneous values, connected with each of the separate circuits.

Abstract: A pacemaker sense amplifier circuit exhibiting a very high common mode rejection ratio for detecting intracardiac electrogram signals is disclosed. The circuit includes a sampling capacitor which is differentially charged by the intracardiac signal. The voltage stored on the sampling capacitor is periodically applied to a high input impedance differential voltage amplifier which is referenced to the battery ground. The signal is smoothed and reconstructed by a bandpass filter, and is applied to a comparator to generate a logic level pulse indicative of the occurrence of a cardiac depolarization.

Abstract: An implantable medical device to deliver cardioverting energy to cardiac tissue in synchrony with detected ventricular depolarizations having a low power sensing and control circuitry and high power cardioversion circuitry, sharing a common lead and interface circuitry. The lead possesses a superior vena cava electrode and ring and tip electrodes intended to be placed in the ventricle. A sense amplifier is connected across the ring and tip electrode, and the cardioversion energy is delivered across the superior vena cava electrode and the ventricular electrodes. A circuit for protecting the low voltage sense amplifier circuits from high voltage cardioversion output pulses includes a triac which is electrically shorted across the ring and tip electrodes and the input terminals of the sense amplifier during the delivery of the stimulating pulse.

Abstract: An electrical muscle stimulator (1) simultaneously supplies a pulse (i.e., 270, 271) to each electrode (5, 6) having first and second phases (272, 273; 274, 275) which are a mirror image to the pulse supplied to the other electrode. A control is connected to unbalance either or both the width and amplitude of the first and second phases of each pulse to selectively provide an unbalanced stimulation to one or more muscles through the electrodes (5, 6). The stimulator provides a precise control which is readily adjustable for a large number of operating sequences.

Abstract: The pacing lead comprises a catheter and first and second conductors in the catheter. A tip electrode is fixed to the distal end of the catheter and in electrical contact with a distal end of the first conductor within the catheter. The catheter has an opening in the wall thereof with a bared end portion of the second conductor extending through the opening, out of the catheter and around the catheter. A thin walled electrode sleeve made of a rhenium/tungsten alloy is positioned about and in direct electrical contact with the bared end portion of the second conductor and is compressed about the conductor end portion and the catheter to an extent where the outer diameter of the sleeve is substantially the same as the outer diameter of the catheter.