Abstract: An electrode arrangement, in particular for the intracardial discharge of defibrillation pulses in the atrium of a heart, comprising an electrode line which in the region of its distal end has a plurality of electrically conductive surface portions as electrodes which can be electrically connected by way of the electrode line to an electrical pulsedischarging device such as defibrillator, wherein the electrode line is adapted to be split in the electrode-bearing region of its distal end into at least two respectively electrode-bearing branches.

Abstract: A cardioversion arrangement having an electrode arrangement for the intracardial discharge of electrical pulses in the atrium of a heart, having an electrode line and in the region of its distal end a plurality of electrodes which can be electrically connected by way of the electrode line to an electrical pulse-discharging device and a defibrillator, wherein the electrode-bearing region at the distal end of the electrode line is split into two branches of which one is in the form of a septal branch and the other is in the form of a lateral branch for assuming a septal position and a lateral position in the atrium of a heart, wherein the branches are respectively provided with electrodes in such a way that each electrode of a branch is associated in pair-wise manner with an electrode of the other branch, for the discharge of bipolar pulses, and the cardioversion arrangement is designed to record intra-atrial electrograms by means of the electrodes by receiving electrical signals between a respective two of the

Abstract: A method and apparatus for identifying cardiac arrhythmias. In the preferred embodiment the invention is embodied in an implantable pulse generator. The IPG features a system to analyze the sensed ECG. The system utilizes an algorithm able to quantify continuously the sensed cardiac rhythm. The algorithm features essentially two parts, a pre-diagnostic program ("PDP"), which is able to discriminate up to 95% of all sensed rhythms, and a diagnostic program ("DP"), which is able to discriminate the remaining sensed rhythms. The pre-diagnostic program is relatively quicker and draws less energy as compared to the diagnostic program. The pre-diagnostic program functions by regularly measuring the dv/dt of the sensed ECG. These values are then converted into an index value to thereby quantify the sensed cardiac rhythm.

Abstract: There is provided a pacemaker lead for use in a dual chamber pacemaker system, wherein the single lead provides for ventricular pacing and atrial sensing. The lead has at least two floating bipoles positioned for placement in the atrium. A first whole-ring bipole is positioned a distance from the distal end so as to be positioned in the lower atrium of an average patient when the distal end is in position for ventricular pacing, and a second split-ring bipole is placed on the lead proximal from the first bipole so as to be positioned in the upper atrium of the normal patient. The method thus comprises positioning a floating whole-ring bipole in the lower atrium, and/or positioning a floating split-ring bipole in the upper atrium. The pair of bipoles so placed provide for atrial sensing with a high degree of ventricular far-field rejection, enabling VDD pacing and also monitoring of P-wave direction and conduction duration.