Abstract: A dual-chamber pacemaker provides DDI pacing with PVC-protected hysteresis and automatic AV interval adjustment. An extended hysteresis atrial escape interval (AEI.sub.H) is invoked in response to the occurrence of either an atrial paced event followed by a sensed R-wave (an AR event), or an atrial sensed event followed by a sensed R-wave (a PR event). The occurrence of a premature ventricular contraction (PVC) thus does not trigger AEI.sub.H. In one embodiment, AEI.sub.H is not invoked unless the sensed AR or PR interval exceeds a prescribed reference interval. In a further embodiment, the AV interval (AVI) associated with the DDI operation is automatically shortened following an atrial stimulation pulse (A-pulse) delivered upon the timing-out of the AEI.sub.H. The shortened AVI is maintained for a programmed number of cycles of DDI operation, after which a lengthened AVI is reestablished for one cycle.

Abstract: An ICD/pacemaker device provides a shocking pulse whenever it senses cardiac activity indicative ventricular fibrillation by standard means and a unique algorithm to respond to low amplitude ventricular fibrillation that would not be expected to be recognized/sensed by standard means. The ICD/pacemaker device further provides stimulation pulses on demand to a patient's heart whenever cardiac activity is not sensed and determines whether a given stimulation pulse has caused capture. If capture has not occurred, the energy of the stimulation pulse is increased by a predetermined amount and capture is retested. If the energy of the stimulation pulses increases up to a maximum value without causing capture, the generation of further stimulation pulses is stopped, and the ICD/pacemaker device presumes that low amplitude ventricular fibrillation is present. When fibrillation is sensed or presumed to be present, a shocking pulse is generated.

Abstract: A bifurcated lead adapter or lead used with an implantable stimulation device, such as a pacemaker, forms part of a stimulation system and method that senses depolarization of the ventricular muscle tissue, and in response thereto, generates a stimulus (composed of a single pulse or multiple closely-spaced pulses) that is delivered to translocated muscle tissue wrapped around the ventricle of the heart, thereby causing the translocated muscle tissue to contract in synchrony with the sensed ventricular depolarization. In one embodiment, a pacemaker operates in the single-chamber triggered stimulation mode analogous to VVT mode. A bifurcated bipolar lead adapter has a proximal connector that is connected to the pacemaker's bipolar female input/output connector. The adapter couples the anode electrode of the pacemaker's bipolar input/output connector to a first female distal connector, and couples the cathode electrode of such bipolar input/output connector to a second female distal connector.

Abstract: An apparatus that facilitates the filling of a marine engine lower unit reservoir with gear lube. A squeezable container having a conical spout with a threaded base is modified by cutting off a substantial part of the spout, leaving only a truncated, unthreaded part above the threaded base. The threads at the base of the spout engage complementally formed threads in a fitting member having an axial bore disposed in fluid communication with a first end of an elongate flexible tube that carries a clamp member operable to selectively open and close the tube to fluid flow. The opposite end of the tube is confluent with an axial bore formed in another fitting that is adapted to engage either a drain opening or a vent opening in a lower unit. The lower unit is filled by elevating and inverting the squeezable gear lube container when the clamp is open and the proper fitting is engaged with the drain opening.