Abstract: Apparatus and methods for generating pulse pacing in a wearable cardioverter defibrillator (“WCD”). In one aspect the WCD circuitry includes a power source such as a battery coupled to a charger that provides charge energy to an energy storage module. Control circuitry is operatively coupled to the charger and the output circuitry, and configured to cause the WCD circuitry to generate pacing pulses delivered to therapy electrodes (attached to an ambulatory patient) without a current source. The WCD circuitry includes one or more processing elements that are used to execute instructions provided by one or more software modules that are configured to support various functionality, including controlling generation of pacing pulses.

Abstract: In embodiments, an external defibrillator has an electrical circuit with a special output stage for the high-voltage defibrillation pulse. The output stage includes switches that can turn on for delivering the pulse, and off during all other times. The output stage also includes a diverting resistance to divert electrical current that could leak into the patient while a capacitor is being charged. An optional detector may notify if a component is malfunctioning. An advantage can be that an external defibrillator may be created according to embodiments that uses, in its output stage, semiconductor switches instead of relays. As semiconductor switches weigh less and occupy less volume than relays, an external defibrillator according to embodiments may have less weight and volume. Especially in wearable defibrillator applications, less weight means less effort to carry and less volume means easier concealment under clothing.

Abstract: In embodiments, an external defibrillator has an electrical circuit with a special output stage for the high-voltage defibrillation pulse. The output stage includes switches that can turn on for delivering the pulse, and off during all other times. The output stage also includes a diverting resistance to divert electrical current that could leak into the patient while a capacitor is being charged. An optional detector may notify if a component is malfunctioning. An advantage can be that an external defibrillator may be created according to embodiments that uses, in its output stage, semiconductor switches instead of relays. As semiconductor switches weigh less and occupy less volume than relays, an external defibrillator according to embodiments may have less weight and volume. Especially in wearable defibrillator applications, less weight means less effort to carry and less volume means easier concealment under clothing.

Abstract: Technologies and implementations related to utilizing conductive ink with medical device systems to facilitate electrical contact between an electrode and a person’s skin. The conductive ink may be applied in a variety of manners such as, but not limited to, permanent, semi-permanent, and/or temporary.

Abstract: A wearable medical device comprising monitoring circuitry to monitor one or more patient parameters of a patient and defibrillation circuitry to provide one or more defibrillation shocks to the patient responsive to a control signal from the monitoring circuitry. The defibrillation circuitry comprises a defibrillation capacitor to provide energy for the one or more defibrillation shocks. The wearable medical device also comprises a power source to provide power to the monitoring circuitry and the defibrillation circuitry. The power source comprises a low current power source (LCPS) to provide power to the monitoring circuitry, and a high current power source (HCPS) to provide power to the defibrillation circuitry.

Abstract: In embodiments, an external defibrillator has an electrical circuit with a special output stage for the high-voltage defibrillation pulse. The output stage includes switches that can turn on for delivering the pulse, and off during all other times. The output stage also includes a diverting resistance to divert electrical current that could leak into the patient while a capacitor is being charged. An optional detector may notify if a component is malfunctioning. An advantage can be that an external defibrillator may be created according to embodiments that uses, in its output stage, semiconductor switches instead of relays. As semiconductor switches weigh less and occupy less volume than relays, an external defibrillator according to embodiments may have less weight and volume. Especially in wearable defibrillator applications, less weight means less effort to carry and less volume means easier concealment under clothing.

Abstract: In embodiments, an external defibrillator has an electrical circuit with a special output stage for the high-voltage defibrillation pulse. The output stage includes switches that can turn on for delivering the pulse, and off during all other times. The output stage also includes a diverting resistance to divert electrical current that could leak into the patient while a capacitor is being charged. An optional detector may notify if a component is malfunctioning. An advantage can be that an external defibrillator may be created according to embodiments that uses, in its output stage, semiconductor switches instead of relays. As semiconductor switches weigh less and occupy less volume than relays, an external defibrillator according to embodiments may have less weight and volume. Especially in wearable defibrillator applications, less weight means less effort to carry and less volume means easier concealment under clothing.

Abstract: The invention is methods and devices which a surgeon may use to stabilize the beating heart during a surgical procedure on the heart. Pursuant to the invention, a stabilizing device is introduced through an opening in the chest and brought into contact with the beating heart. By contacting the heart with the device and by exerting a stabilizing force on the device, the motion of the heart caused by the contraction of the heart muscles is effectively eliminated such that the heart is stabilized and the site of the surgery moves only minimally if at all. Typically, in separate steps, the surgeon contacts the heart with the stabilizing means, assesses the degree of movement of the anastomosis site, and exerts a force on the stabilizing means such that the contraction of the beating heart causes orgy minimal excess motion at the surgery site.

Abstract: The invention is methods and devices which a surgeon may use to stabilize the beating heart during a surgical procedure on the heart. Pursuant to the invention, a stabilizing device is introduced through an opening in the chest and brought into contact with the beating heart. By contacting the heart with the device and by exerting a stabilizing force on the device, the motion of the heart caused by the contraction of the heart muscles is effectively eliminated such that the heart is stabilized and the site of the surgery moves only minimally if at all. Typically, in separate steps, the surgeon contacts the heart with the stabilizing means, assesses the degree of movement of the anastomosis site, and exerts a force on the stabilizing means such that the contraction of the beating heart causes orgy minimal excess motion at the surgery site.

Abstract: A free floating fishing apparatus includes a float and a spool that is positioned on the float for holding a supply of line to be dispensed. A line holding beam is mounted on the float and has a line guide that enables fishing line to be spooled from the spool through the line guide and then underwater for fishing. Rigging such as a hook, sinker or the like can be attached to the free end portion of a line. The spool is comprised of two sections, a non-rotating section which is received over the float and a rotating section received over the non-rotating section. A finite length of line is wound on the rotating section and a selected amount is payed out prior to fishing. The free end of the payed out line is attached to a hook and perhaps a float and the float and hook are dropped into the water. Depending upon the amount of line wound and whether the spool sections are locked during fishing, a finite amount of line may pay our after the fish has struck the hook.

Abstract: A free floating fishing apparatus includes a float and a spool that is positioned on the float for holding a supply of line to be dispensed. A hook setting trigger mechanism is mounted on the float and has a line guide that enables fishing line to be spooled from the spool through the line guide and then underwater for fishing. Rigging such as a hook, sinker or the like can be attached to the free end portion of a line. The trigger assembly includes an arm that is pivotally movable between extended and retracted positions. The arm is spring loaded to bias the arm toward the retracted position. A sear plate enables the arm to be retained in an intermediate position that is in between the extended and retracted positions, but closer to the extended position. The sear plate is spring loaded to move the sear out of engagement with the arm when the arm is moved beyond the intermediate position toward the extended position such as when a fish bites the hook and pulls on the line.

Abstract: The invention is methods and devices which a surgeon may use to stabilize the beating heart during a surgical procedure on the heart. Pursuant to the invention, a stabilizing device is introduced through an opening in the chest and brought into contact with the beating heart. By contacting the heart with the device and by exerting a stabilizing force on the device, the motion of the heart caused by the contraction of the heart muscles is effectively eliminated such that the heart is stabilized and the site of the surgery moves only minimally if at all. Typically, in separate steps, the surgeon contacts the heart with the stabilizing means, assesses the degree of movement of the anastomosis site, and exerts a force on the stabilizing means such that the contraction of the beating heart causes orgy minimal excess motion at the surgery site.

Abstract: The invention is methods and devices which a surgeon may use to stabilize the beating heart during a surgical procedure on the heart. Pursuant to the invention, a stabilizing device is introduced through an opening in the chest and brought into contact with the beating heart. By contacting the heart with the device and by exerting a stabilizing force on the device, the motion of the heart caused by the contraction of the heart muscles is effectively eliminated such that the heart is stabilized and the site of the surgery moves only minimally if at all. Typically, in separate steps, the surgeon contacts the heart with the stabilizing means, assesses the degree of movement of the anastomosis site, and exerts a force on the stabilizing means such that the contraction of the beating heart causes orgy minimal excess motion at the surgery site.

Abstract: The invention is methods and devices which a surgeon may use to stabilize the beating heart during a surgical procedure on the heart. Pursuant to the invention, a stabilizing device is introduced through an opening in the chest and brought into contact with the beating heart. By contacting the heart with the device and by exerting a stabilizing force on the device, the motion of the heart caused by the contraction of the heart muscles is effectively eliminated such that the heart is stabilized and the site of the surgery moves only minimally if at all. Typically, in separate steps, the surgeon contacts the heart with the stabilizing means, assesses the degree of movement of the anastomosis site, and exerts a force on the stabilizing means such that the contraction of the beating heart causes orgy minimal excess motion at the surgery site.

Abstract: The invention is methods and devices which a surgeon may use to stabilize the beating heart during a surgical procedure on the heart. Pursuant to the invention, a stabilizing device is introduced through an opening in the chest and brought into contact with the beating heart. By contacting the heart with the device and by exerting a stabilizing force on the device, the motion of the heart caused by the contraction of the heart muscles is effectively eliminated such that the heart is stabilized and the site of the surgery moves only minimally if at all. Typically, in separate steps, the surgeon contacts the heart with the stabilizing means, assesses the degree of movement of the anastomosis site, and exerts a force on the stabilizing means such that the contraction of the beating heart causes orgy minimal excess motion at the surgery site.

Abstract: Devices and methods for minimally invasive harvesting of a vessel, especially the saphenous vein for coronary artery bypass grafting, are disclosed which facilitate a minimally invasive vessel harvesting procedure. Generally, an instrument is provided which facilitates introduction of vessel harvesting tools through a minimally invasive incision, and provides the capability to separate the vessel from surrounding tissue while minimizing trauma to the patient and preserving the patency of the vessel. The instrument includes a mechanism for separating the vessel from surrounding tissue and may also include mechanisms for severing side branches from the vessel during the harvesting procedure. In one embodiment, an integrated vessel harvesting assembly is provided which may rotate around a vessel and provides a unitary mechanism for separating the vessel from surrounding tissue and for severing the side branches.