Abstract: A device for preventing an anchoring element disposed at the distal end of an implantable electrode cable from coming into contact, during introduction of the cable into a body cavity, with a cavity wall and thereby damaging the cavity wall, as a protection element which either projects beyond the distal tip of the helical anchoring element, or has the distal tip of the helical anchoring element embedded therein. The protection element is composed of a porous, resilient, spongy material which is compressible. The protection element has interstices which are at least partially filled with medication, and the protection element is compressible during affixing of the anchoring element in the heart wall, so as to express the medication from the interstices.

Abstract: A device for manipulating a stylet unit for positioning an electrode cable in a body cavity has an elongate housing, an elongate, axial cavity in the housing and an operating slide, axially movable in relation to the housing, for attachment to a proximal end section of a tubular stylet sleeve in a stylet unit. An elongate coil spring is located in the cavity on the proximal side of the manipulation device. The coil spring forms an inner guide channel to prevent the buckling of the free, proximal end section of the stylet of the stylet unit in the cavity.

Abstract: A device for explanting an electrode device, particularly an intravascular or intracardiac electrode device having an electrode cable and an electrode head arranged on the cable's distal end, is capable of simply and safely detaching fibrotic matter from the entire surface of the electrode cable and electrode head. The explanting device has a stiff first sleeve, relatively short in relation to the length of the electrode cable, and whose diameter is slightly larger than the external diameter of the electrode cable. One end of the sleeve forms a cutting edge. The first sleeve is connected at its end opposite the cutting edge to a first control body in the form of a stylet with which the first sleeve can be moved along the implanted electrode device. A second sleeve, operable with another stylet, amy additionally be employed, having resilient cutting elements.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for tracing leaks in vivo which occur in an electrode device, such as a pacemaker or a defibrillator, the electrode device including an electrode cable containing an elongate, flexible conductor having an exterior covered with a layer of insulation and having an interior channel. A leakage tracing device which is simple in structure, and therefore inexpensive to make, and with which one or more leaks in an electrode cable implanted in a patient is/are readily detectable, has a tubular, flexible body within an external diameter smaller than inner diameter of the interior channel of the electrode cable. The tubular body can be inserted into the electrode cable's interior channel all the way to the channel's distal end, and the proximal end of the tubular body is connected to a container for a fluid.

Abstract: A device for stimulating heart tissue contains a stimulation unit connected via a switching device to an electrode system. The number of connecting lines between the stimulation unit and the switching device is minimized by emitting control signals and stimulation pulses from a common pulse signal output socket of the stimulation unit. The switching device contains a signal discriminator which separates the control signals from the stimulation pulses, the control signals then controlling the switching device such that the stimulation pulses are delivered to a specific part of the electrode system.

Abstract: A medical electrode device of the type suitable for delivering therapeutic electrical energy in vivo to tissue from an implanted pulse generator, includes a sleeve containing a conductor which is a non-metallic, non-gaseous fluid conductor. The non-gaseous, non-metallic fluid conductor may be a conductive gel or an electrolytic liquid.

Abstract: A device for stimulating heart tissue contains a stimulation unit connected via a switching device to an electrode system. The number of connecting lines between the stimulation unit and the switching device is minimized by emitting control signals and stimulation pulses from a common pulse signal output socket of the stimulation unit. The switching device contains a signal discriminator which separates the control signals from the stimulation pulses, the control signals then controlling the switching device such that the stimulation pulses are delivered to a specific part of the electrode system.

Abstract: An electrode arrangement has at least two coiled electrode conductors which are mechanically and electrically interconnected in a contact region. Within the contact region, the flights of the coiled conductors are engaged, such as by the flights of one conductor surrounding the flights of the other conductor, or the flights being intertwined, thereby producing the necessary mechanical and electrical connection by means of the spring force associated with the coiled structure of each conductor. The connection of the conductors thereby becomes simpler to assemble, and does not require crimping, and results in a more reliable and flexible connection area.

Abstract: A defibrillation electrode has a flexible electrode cable containing at least one elongated, electrically insulated conductors and having an electrode configuration attached at a distal end of the electrode cable. This electrode device configuration a number of elongated, flexible conductors, pre-shaped into an outward bulging configuration, having first ends anchored adjacent to each other at the distal end of the electrode cable, and second ends anchored adjacent to each other at a common connection point. To attain a defibrillation electrode which can be used for intracardial, epicardial and myocardial stimulation of the heart and which can be rapidly introduced into the patient, and applied to the myocardium or pericardium, with no need for major surgery, the conductors are spatially pre-shaped such that the anchored ends at the common connection point are twisted in relation to the anchored ends at the electrode cable's distal end.

Abstract: An electrode arrangement for in vivo stimulation of tissue with electrical energy has a catheter containing an electrical lead, the lead and the catheter being electrically and mechanically connected to further electrical conductors, arranged in a configuration forming a broad, flat, thin and flexible electrode. The conductors in the electrode are partially exposed and define an electrode surface for delivering electrical energy to adjacent tissue. The electrode arrangement further includes a fixing device, for attaching the electrode to tissue surrounding the tissue to be stimulated. The fixing device includes a fixing element which is mounted on the electrode so as to be movable independently of the electrode, and a stylet which controls movement of the fixing element, the stylet extending through the catheter. The fixing element can be controlled so as to be advanced from a retracted position to a position extending beyond the electrode surface in which the fixing element penetrates the tissue.

Abstract: An electrode for implantation in a patient and for connection through a lead to a heart stimulation/sensing system has an active electrode element of conductive material and the electrode has a shape and size conforming to an interspace between the periost and the bone at the inner side of a rib proximal to the heart of a patient so as to accommodate location of the electrode at the interspace. The electrode has fixing elements to fix the relative position of the electrode with respect to the rib. An implantation method is also disclosed.

Abstract: An endocardial electrode controllable to form selected contours has a flexible electrical conductor with an internal axial channel and covered with an insulating sheath. A traction element extends through the channel and is freely moveable therein and is attached to the conductor at a selected location. A portion of the traction element is guided outside of the conductor but within the insulating sheath, and the traction element projects from the channel at a proximal end of the electrode. Tension exerted on the tension element at the proximal end deforms the conductor to a selected contour dependent upon the amount of tension.