Abstract: A method is disclosed for irradiation planning for the irradiation of a moving target volume located in a body with a particle beam irradiation facility by means of rescanning, which method has the steps of defining the target volume in a reference condition of the motion, dividing the target volume among a plurality of target points that can be individually approached with a particle beam, calculating a nominal dose to be deposited in each of the target points of the target volume, defining a number of rescanning passes in which each of the target points of the target volume are approached, calculating a mean motion to be expected of the target points of the target volume based on a motion model, taking into account the mean motion to be expected of the target points of the target volume in the irradiation planning in such a manner that the deviation of the expected dose deposition from the nominal dose for each target point is determined, and the nominal dose for each target point is corrected on the basis

Abstract: A method of enhancing the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of measured electrocardiogram (ECG) signals is provided. The method includes the steps of providing at least three cardiac input signals derived from the measured ECG signals S1 and forming a first estimate U1 S2 from each of at least three pairs of input signals. Moreover, the method includes the steps of forming a second estimate U2 S3 from each of at least three input signals; comparing S4 the polarity and the amplitude of a first and second estimate U1, U2 to at least one threshold T; generating S5 a composite signal X, wherein the polarity and the amplitude of the composite signal X depend on the result of the comparison; and using S6 the generated composite signal X to produce an output signal with enhanced signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). Furthermore, a corresponding cardiac device is also provided.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for irradiation planning for the irradiation of a moving target volume located in a body with a particle beam irradiation facility by means of rescanning, which method has the steps of defining the target volume in a reference condition of the motion, dividing the target volume among a plurality of target points that can be individually approached with a particle beam, calculating a nominal dose to be deposited in each of the target points of the target volume, defining a number of rescanning passes in which each of the target points of the target volume are approached, calculating a mean motion to be expected of the target points of the target volume based on a motion model, taking into account the mean motion to be expected of the target points of the target volume in the irradiation planning in such a manner that the deviation of the expected dose deposition from the nominal dose for each target point is determined, and the nominal dose for each target point is corrected on the basis

Abstract: An implantable cardiac electrostimulator includes an atrial sensing channel generating an atrial sense event signal upon detection of atrial activity, a ventricular sensing channel generating a ventricular sense event signal upon detection of ventricular activity, a VES detector detecting ventricular extrasystoles, atrial and ventricular stimulation pulse generators, and a stimulation control unit. The stimulation control unit determines scheduled delivery times of atrial stimulation pulses (T(A)) and/or ventricular stimulation pulses (T(V)), and triggers delivery if no atrial sense event signal arises before the end of an atrial escape interval (VAI) timing out at T(A), or if no ventricular sense event signal arises before the end of a ventricular escape interval (VEI) timing out at T(V). T(A) and T(V) depend upon detection of a ventricular extrasystole, and proper atrioventricular synchrony is maintained by setting a physiologically adequate A-V-delay between T(A) and T(V).

Abstract: A method of enhancing the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of measured electrocardiogram (ECG) signals is provided. The method includes the steps of providing at least three cardiac input signals derived from the measured ECG signals S1 and forming a first estimate U1 S2 from each of at least three pairs of input signals. Moreover, the method includes the steps of forming a second estimate U2 S3 from each of at least three input signals; comparing S4 the polarity and the amplitude of a first and second estimate U1, U2 to at least one threshold T; generating S5 a composite signal X, wherein the polarity and the amplitude of the composite signal X depend on the result of the comparison; and using S6 the generated composite signal X to produce an output signal with enhanced signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). Furthermore, a corresponding cardiac device is also provided.

Abstract: Method and apparatus that uses dual-chamber (RA-RV), three-chamber (BiA-RV, or RA-BiV), or four-chamber (BiA-BiV) implantable cardiac devices including pacemakers, defibrillators and cardioverters, which stimulate cardiac tissue electrically to control the patient's heart rhythm. The method and apparatus are further configured to create a far-field intra-atrial electrogram (AEGM) and a far-field intra-ventricular electrogram (VEGM) that are independently filtered, scaled, and then summed to form a composite far-field electrogram.

Abstract: A heart stimulator provides for a more appropriate yet simple setting of the AV-delay. The heart stimulator comprises a stimulation pulse generator adapted to generate electric stimulation pulses and connected to a ventricular stimulation electrode for delivering electric stimulation pulses. A sensing stage connected to an electrode for picking up electric potentials inside a ventricle is adapted to sense an excitation or a contraction of a heart chamber. A memory is adapted to store parameters defining a Bezier function determining the relationship between AV-delay values and heart rate and a control unit connected to said memory, said sensing stage and to said stimulation pulse generator, is adapted to determine an actual AV-delay based on an actual intrinsic heart rate or an actual stimulation rate and a non-linear smoothing interpolation between said parameters stored in said memory.

Abstract: Heart stimulator that stimulates at least a heart's right atrium and ventricle in an atrium asynchronous stimulation mode with an overdrive stimulation rate. Interposes one resynchronization cycle after a sensed atrial event to regain AV synchrony during otherwise asynchronous stimulation mode. Allows for pacing mode that can pace the atrium with an overdrive stimulation rate in dual-chamber asynchronous mode while maintaining the AV synchrony and is called DDI(R)+. In DDI(R)+, pacemaker performs an atrial asynchronous (V synchronous) pacing mode such as DDI or DDI(R). The overdrive stimulation rate (OSR) is either a fixed rate (programmed by the external device) that is thought to be above the underlying intrinsic atrial rate, or is dynamically adjusted according to the measured atrial cycle length to be slightly above intrinsic atrial rate. The overdrive stimulation rate may be based on an intrinsic atrial rate or on hemodynamic need. DDI(R)+ timing may be ventricle-based.

Abstract: An implantable cardiac device is provided for adaptive ventricular rate smoothing during atrial fibrillation (AF). When AF is detected, the operation of the device is switched to non-atrial synchronized pacing mode such as DDI, DDIR, VDI, VDIR, VVI, or VVIR. The ventricular escape interval (VEI) is beat-by-beat modulated around a physiological interval zone (PIZ), which is determined by the pre-arrhythmia ventricular rate or the output of rate responsive sensor. The VEI remains unchanged if the preceding ventricular event is sensed and its RR interval is within the PIZ. Otherwise, the VEI is decreased asymptotically toward a lower interval threshold if the preceding RR interval is longer than the upper limit of the PIZ, or the VEI is increased asymptotically toward an upper interval threshold if the preceding RR interval is shorter than the upper limit of the PIZ.

Abstract: Heart stimulator that stimulates at least a heart's right atrium and ventricle in an atrium asynchronous stimulation mode with an overdrive stimulation rate. Interposes one resynchronization cycle after a sensed atrial event to regain AV synchrony during otherwise asynchronous stimulation mode. Allows for pacing mode that can pace the atrium with an overdrive stimulation rate in dual-chamber asynchronous mode while maintaining the AV synchrony and is called DDI(R)+. In DDI(R)+, pacemaker performs an atrial asynchronous (V synchronous) pacing mode such as DDI or DDI(R). The overdrive stimulation rate (OSR) is either a fixed rate (programmed by the external device) that is thought to be above the underlying intrinsic atrial rate, or is dynamically adjusted according to the measured atrial cycle length to be slightly above intrinsic atrial rate. The overdrive stimulation rate may be based on an intrinsic atrial rate or on hemodynamic need. DDI(R)+ timing may be ventricle-based.

Abstract: Uses dual-chamber (RA-RV), three-chamber (BiA-RV, or RA-BiV), or four-chamber (BiA-BiV) implantable cardiac device including pacemakers, defibrillators and cardioverters, which stimulate cardiac tissue electrically to control the patient's heart rhythm to create a far-field intra-atrial electrogram (AEGM) and a far-field intra-ventricular electrogram (VEGM) that are independently filtered, scaled, and then summed to form a composite far-field electrogram.

Abstract: An implantable cardiac electrostimulator comprising an atrial sensing channel for processing intracardiac electrogram signals and for detecting signals corresponding to atrial activity and for generating an atrial sense event signal upon detection of a signal corresponding to atrial activity, a ventricular sensing channel for processing intracardiac electrogram signals and for detecting signals corresponding to ventricular activity and for generating a ventricular sense event signal upon detection of a signal corresponding to ventricular activity, a VES detector being operatively connected to said atrial and ventricular sensing channel and being adapted to detect ventricular extrasystoles an atrial stimulation pulse generator a ventricular stimulation pulse generator a stimulation control unit being operatively connected to said atrial stimulation pulse generator and said ventricular stimulation pulse generator.

Abstract: An implantable cardiac device is provided for adaptive ventricular rate smoothing during atrial fibrillation (AF). When AF is detected, the operation of the device is switched to non-atrial synchronized pacing mode such as DDI, DDIR, VDI, VDIR, VVI, or VVIR. The ventricular escape interval (VEI) is beat-by-beat modulated around a physiological interval zone (PIZ), which is determined by the pre-arrhythmia ventricular rate or the output of rate responsive sensor. The VEI remains unchanged if the preceding ventricular event is sensed and its RR interval is within the PIZ. Otherwise, the VEI is decreased asymptotically toward a lower interval threshold if the preceding RR interval is longer than the upper limit of the PIZ, or the VEI is increased asymptotically toward an upper interval threshold if the preceding RR interval is shorter than the upper limit of the PIZ.

Abstract: In a process of splicing optical fibers, a temperature distribution during the splicing of the waveguides at a constant discharge current will depend on ambient parameters, which include temperature, air pressure and air humidity, and these parameters also influence the quality of the splice being produced. The discharge current is regulated by measuring the actual intensity distribution of the thermionic emissions of the waveguide during the splicing operation and by comparing this intensity distribution with a stored reference intensity distribution. The device includes a sensor which is used for measuring the intensity distribution and for adjusting the ends of the waveguides relative to each other.

Abstract: A method of attaching heparin to, and immobilizing it on, inorganic substrate surfaces of cardiovascular implants such as cardiac valves or alloplastic vessel wall supports, comprising the following steps:activation of the inorganic substrate surface by etching,attachment, by exposure to ultraviolet light, of a photoactive benzophenone compound with an amino protective group as a spacer to the activated substrate surface,splitting off of the amino protective group by the aid of a non-aqueous piperidine solution, andcovalent peptide-bonding of heparin to the free and reactive amino groups of the substrate surface by an aqueous heparin solution acting on the amino groups.