Abstract: A tubular device for the treatment of hollow organs is flexibly arranged and comprises a coating of silver. This coating is connected to a current source via connecting wires. Particularly, the tubular device is used for the treatment of the esophagus, and by the irritation caused by the electric current it is to effect an inflammation of the esophagus wall and thus a thickening of the latter so as to reduce the danger of hemorraghes of varicose veins within the esophagus or to prevent the hemorraghes. The tubular device is expansible in order to secure a close abutment of the silver coating against the mucous membrane of the esophagus.

Abstract: An intra-aortic balloon assembly has a balloon whose distal end terminates in a tip and whose proximal end is joined and communicates with the interior of a catheter tube. A slender stylet extends rearwardly from the tip through the balloon and catheter tube. The balloon is arranged so that its longitudinal axis is significantly displaced from the stylet facilitating tight wrapping of the balloon about the stylet in a single spiral. The stylet may be affixed to the balloon and/or the catheter tube. Coupling means for rotating the stylet are provided for removing any undesired twisting experienced by the stylet during wrapping. The balloon is preferably pre-wrapped and is shipped to the user in the pre-wrapped condition. The balloon is retained in the wrapped condition by a removable holder having releasably joined holder halves encircling the wrapped balloon. Heat shrunk plastic sleeves retain the holder halves in the assembled state.

Abstract: The bipolar epicardial temporary pacing lead (10 or 110) comprises a lead body (22 or 122) containing first and second spaced apart wire conductors (24 or 124 and 26 or 126) each encased in insulating material (30 or 130) so as to form first and second insulated wire conductor portions (32 or 124 and 33 or 136). A straight needle (16 or 116) is connected to the proximal end portion (12 or 112) of the lead body (22 or 122). A curved needle (62 or 162) is connected to at least one of the wire conductors (24 or 124) at the distal end portion (14 or 114) of the lead (10 or 110). The distal end portion (14 or 114) of the lead (10 or 110) has insulation removed from portions of the respective first and second conductors (24 or 124 and 26 or 126) thereby to form in the distal end portion (14 or 114) a first or proximal electrode forming wire conductor portion (54 or 154) and a second or distal electrode forming or wire conductor portion (56 or 156).

Abstract: Eye and head movements produce large voltages which obscure the electrical activity of the brain, interfering with diagnostic procedures. In the system and method of the present invention electrical response to such movement artifact is detected by a set of electrodes and transmitted to amplifiers, analog-to-digital converters and an on-line to a digital computer. The computer monitors each of the 19 channels corresponding to the 19 electrodes on the subject's head and a pair of electrodes located diagonally above and below one eye (trans-orbital) to detect artifacts associated with eye movement. Each channel of brain waves and artifact signals, converted into digital information, are compared with a threshold selected digital value set by the operator either by using standard values, by empirically eliciting sample artifacts, or by a standard deviation determination. The computer, after determining that there exists a movement artifact, i.e.