Abstract: A method and device for treating an electrical problem in an organ, especially a heart, of a human or animal patient comprises atraumatically blocking the transmission of one or more electrical signals external to the organ. Nerve cell membranes near a cathode are depolarized while nerve cell membranes near an anode are hyperpolarized, inducing a DC conduction block. The method and device are especially suitable for treating atrial tachycardia where unwanted signals from at least one pulmonary vein and/or at least one fat pad are blocked within the construct of the heart.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating ventricular fibrillation or ventricular tachycardia comprises means for dynamically steering or selecting two or more current vector paths sequentially or simultaneously for defibrillation so as to change the transmembrane potential in the left and right ventricles sufficiently to halt VF or VT.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating atrial fibrillation or atrial tachycardia comprises means for dynamically steering or selecting two or more current vector paths sequentially or simultaneously for defibrillation to change the transmembrane potential in the left and right atria sufficiently to halt AF or AT. The apparatus is useful to treat AF or AT in patients.

Abstract: The invention includes an insulated, fatigue-resistant conductor formed of a conductive wire, a polymeric insulative sleeve having inner and outer layers, and a shape memory alloy (SMA) element disposed between the two layers. The SMA has a preferred thickness between 2 and 50 microns, an undeformed austentitic state, an Af between about −10° C. and 35C., a pseudoelasticity character above its Af, and demonstrates a stress/strain recovery greater than 3% above its Af. Also disclosed is a method of forming the conductor, and a pacemaker which uses conductor as leads.

Abstract: The invention includes an insulated, fatigue-resistant conductor formed of a conductive wire, a polymeric insulative sleeve having inner and outer layers, and a shape memory alloy (SMA) element disposed between the two layers. The SMA has a preferred thickness between 2 and 50 microns, an undeformed austentitic state, an Af between about −10° C. and 35 C., a pseudoelasticity character above its Af, and demonstrates a stress/strain recovery greater than 3% above its Af. Also disclosed is a method of forming the conductor, and a pacemaker which uses conductor as leads.