Abstract: A cuffed tubular vascular prosthesis and process for manufacturing the prosthesis are disclosed. A flexible tubular body is formed by coating a glass rod with a polymer solution and air-curing the coating to form a smooth outer surface. The tubular body is removed from the glass rod and turned inside out so that the smooth air cured surface forms the inner wall of the prosthesis. Prosthesis cuffs are formed on the distal ends of the prosthesis by folding the edges of the tubular body back over itself and bonding the turned back edges to the body. The prosthesis is heat set to maintain the cuffs in position during anastomosis. A double cuffed prosthesis is provided by sliding a suture sleeve over the prosthesis cuff, folding the sleeve back over itself and bonding to the prosthesis cuff and the tubular body.

Abstract: A process for polymer coating electrical conductors comprises dissolving a polymer in a volatile solvent to provide a solution of the polymer. The solution is maintained in a container provided with an outlet orifice at its lower end. The conductor to be coated is drawn through the solution and out of the bottom orifice which is sized to receive the conductor and the desired wall thickness of the coating. After the coated conductor leaves the orifice, it is passed through a heating chamber to evaporate the volatile solvent.

Abstract: An improved unipolar or bipolar lead for at least S-A Node Atrium Contact to provide atrial pacing or atrial synchronized pacing wherein the distal end of the lead is configured as a S-A Node helix whose coiled diameter is larger than that of the cava.

Abstract: A system for internally sensing the cardiac electrogram in a patient with a cardiac pacemaker is disclosed comprising an implanted electrode that, in combination with the metallic case of the pacemaker which acts as an indifferent electrode, senses cardiac electrical signals and provides them as an input to the pacer electronics. The sensing electrode is appropriately spaced from the pacing electrode and positioned so that cross coupling is minimized to permit sensing of the cardiac electrogram without undue interference from the pacing stimulus and after potentials, and so that the pickup of both R- and P-waves is optimized. The sensed signals may be used to control atrial, ventricular or multichamber demand pacemakers and/or may be telemetered out of the patient for pickup and analysis by external equipment. A flat plate and a preferred cylindrical ring form of electrode are described.

Abstract: A cardiac electrode arrangement is disclosed for use in temporarily pacing the heart of a subject and comprises an electrically-conductive strip surrounded by a layer of biocompatible insulating material, which layer has openings on one face of the strip to permit exposure of a portion thereof for contact with the heart and on the other face removably accommodates and holds the stripped end of a pacer lead in contact with the strip. The electrode may be attached to the heart by clips or a single suture, and the pacer lead can be disconnected from the electrode after use by simply pulling the stripped end from under the insulating layer.

Abstract: A cardiac pacer system includes a first relatively large contact area electrode for sensing cardiac activity and a second electrode of substantially smaller contact area than the first to apply artificial stimulating pulses to the heart. The first electrode has a sufficiently large contact area to achieve a relatively high sensitivity to cardiac activity and the second electrode has a sufficiently small contact area to generate a relatively high current density at the electrode-tissue interface when the artificial stimulating pulses are applied to the heart. The electrodes are supported in a spaced relationship by an electrically insulating spacer. Each electrode may be directly wired to an appropriate point within the cardiac pacer, and referenced to a common electrical return point by means of a third, common electrode. Alternatively, the first and second electrodes may be connected to the pacer with a single lead, with suitable decoupling circuitry between the single lead and each electrode.