Abstract: An embodiment of a system for aiding in the proper placement of an endotracheal tube in the trachea of a patent comprises an endotracheal tube having a proximal region and a distal region, the distal region including an electrode. In addition, the endotracheal tube comprises a control unit coupled to the electrode to differentiate proper placement of the endotracheal tube in the patient's trachea from improper placement of the endotracheal tube in the patient's esophagus based on a sensed electrical signal from the electrode.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a catheter comprising a first electrode. The apparatus also comprises a second electrode electrically attached to a person and coupled to the first electrode via the person's tissue. Logic is coupled to the electrodes and generates an electrical signal that is provided through the electrodes and computes an impedance or conduction velocity associated with the electrodes based on the electrical signal. The logic stores a threshold against which said computed impedance or conduction velocity is compared by said logic.

Abstract: An embodiment includes a sensor coupled to a sternal closure wire. The sternal closure wire holds two sternum portions of a patient adjacent to one another and the first sensor senses a biological signal of the patient. An embodiment includes a current source coupled to a sternal closure wire. The sternal closure wire holds two sternum portions of a patient adjacent to one another, and the current source delivers an electrical current to the patient via the sternal closure wire. Other embodiments are described herein.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a sheath for introducing a catheter into a blood vessel, at least one electrode provided on the sheath, at least one other electrode; and a measuring device to which at least one pair of electrodes are coupled. The measuring device measures the impedance or conduction velocity between the first electrode on the sheath and the second electrode.

Abstract: An embodiment includes a cardiac resuscitation system with first and second electrodes in a source electrode pad and a return electrode in a return electrode pad. After the source and return electrode pads are applied to a patient the layperson may put a switch in a first position to create a first electrical path to communicate a first shock between the first and return electrodes via a first vector. If the first shock fails the user may move the switch to a second position to create a second electrical path to communicate a second shock between the second and return electrodes via a second vector. As a result, the system allows a layperson to easily flip a switch to produce a first shock via a first vector and a second shock via a second vector thereby improving therapy outcomes. Other embodiments are described herein.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a sheathe for introducing a catheter into a blood vessel, a first electrode provided on the sheathe, a second electrode; and a measuring device to which the first and second electrodes are coupled. The measuring device measures the impedance or conduction velocity between the first electrode on the sheathe and the second electrode.

Abstract: An introducer comprise a sheath for introducing a catheter into a blood vessel, a plurality of electrodes on the sheath, and an impedance assessment unit provided on the sheath and connected to the electrodes. The impedance assessment unit fixes one of a current or voltage across a first pair of the electrodes and measures the other of the current or voltage across a second pair of electrodes.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention includes a system for the guidance of a catheter to different regions of tissue (e.g., cardiac tissue) for therapy (e.g., ablation therapy). A plurality of electrodes, such as an array of electrodes, may be configured to perform various tasks. First, some electrodes may measure cardiac polarization. Second, some electrodes may function as magnets (e.g., electromagnets) that guide a separate ablation catheter towards the electromagnetic electrodes. These electromagnetic electrodes may be positioned adjacent tissue that is now recognized (possibly due to the electrodes that measure cardiac polarization) as being in need of ablation therapy. Thus, the electromagnetic electrodes may cooperate with an ablation catheter to render a system with magnetic guidance capabilities using intracardiac magnetic field generation. The system may control electromagnetic forces from the array of electrodes to guide the ablation catheter tip to the desired therapy location.

Abstract: In an embodiment a sheath allows one to simultaneously ablate tissue, using a catheter located in the sheath, and remove fluid from a patient's pericardial space, via the same sheath, all without withdrawing the ablation catheter from the sheath. Applying pressure (positive or negative) to fenestrations in the sheath may allow one to withdraw fluid from the space, navigate the sheath within the space, and/or adhere the sheath to tissue in the space. Other embodiments are described herein.

Abstract: In an embodiment, an apparatus comprises a needle (e.g., hypodermic needle or trocar) and sensor (e.g., fiber Braggs grating sensor) coupled to a system to determine (e.g., in real time) stress and/or vibrations encountered by the needle. Consequently, various embodiments may (a) help identify nearby vessels, (b) determine whether the needle penetrated a hollow body structure, and (c) accurately guide needles towards a target structure (e.g., vessel). Other embodiments are described herein.

Abstract: An embodiment includes a sensor coupled to a sternal closure wire. The sternal closure wire holds two sternum portions of a patient adjacent to one another and the first sensor senses a biological signal of the patient. An embodiment includes a current source coupled to a sternal closure wire. The sternal closure wire holds two sternum portions of a patient adjacent to one another, and the current source delivers an electrical current to the patient via the sternal closure wire. Other embodiments are described herein.

Abstract: Methods for optimizing the atrio-ventricular (A-V) delay for efficacious delivery of cardiac resynchronization therapy. In CRT devices, the programmed A-V delay starts with detection of electrical activity in the right atrium (RA). Thus, a major component of the A-V delay is the time required for inter-atrial conduction time (IACT) from the RA to the LA. This IACT can be measured during implantation as the time from the atrial lead stimulation artifact to local electrograms in a coronary sinus (CS) catheter. Assuming that the beginning of LA contraction closely corresponds with the beginning of LA electrical activity, the optimal AV delay should be related to the time between the start of RA electrical activity and the start of LA electrical activity plus the duration of LA atrial contraction. Thus ‘during atrial pacing’ the IACT measured at implantation is correlated with the echocardiographically defined optimal paced AV delay (PAV).

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a sheathe for introducing a catheter into a blood vessel, a first electrode provided on the sheathe, a second electrode; and a measuring device to which the first and second electrodes are coupled.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a sheath for introducing a catheter into a blood vessel, at least one electrode provided on the sheath, at least one other electrode; and a measuring device to which at least one pair of electrodes are coupled. The measuring device measures the impedance or conduction velocity between the first electrode on the sheath and the second electrode.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a catheter comprising a first electrode. The apparatus also comprises a second electrode electrically attached to a person and coupled to the first electrode via the person's tissue. Logic is coupled to the electrodes and generates an electrical signal that is provided through the electrodes and computes an impedance or conduction velocity associated with the electrodes based on the electrical signal.

Abstract: A vascular access device comprises a bridge having first and second bores therethrough, a dilator in the first bore, and a needle guide in the second bore. The second bore is at an angle with respect to the first bore such that the needle guide is at the angle with respect to the dilator. The device is useful, for example to achieve dual site entrance to a blood vessel.

Abstract: Methods and devices for prevention of a pneumothorax during vascular access are disclosed herein. The methods utilize a device having a detachable distal portion which serves to block the passageway created after a vascular access procedure. The device may include retention means to secure the device in the passageway. In addition, the methods may make use of tissue adhesives or glues to further ensure sealing of the passage. Furthermore, the disclosed methods and devices may be used to block perforations of blood vessels created during vascular access.

Abstract: Herein provided are methods for optimizing the atrio-ventricular (A-V) delay for efficacious delivery of cardiac resynchronization therapy. The A-V delay is set such that pacing-induced left ventricular contraction occurs following completion of left atrial (LA) contraction. This maximizes left ventricular filling (preload) which theoretically results in optimal LV contraction via the Frank-Starling mechanism. In CRT devices, the programmed A-V delay starts with detection of electrical activity in the right atrium (RA). Thus, a major component of the A-V delay is the time required for inter-atrial conduction time (IACT) from the RA to the LA. This IACT can be measured during implantation as the time from the atrial lead stimulation artifact to local electrograms in a coronary sinus (CS) catheter.