Abstract: A cardiac stimulator has an implantable cardiac lead that carries a temperature sensitive element with a surface thereof in contact with biological matter. The temperature sensitive element emits a temperature signal corresponding to the temperature of biological matter, such as blood, in contact with the surface of the temperature sensitive element. Processing circuitry receives the temperature signal and determines a variability thereof within a selected time interval. A status signal is emitted dependent on this variability.

Abstract: A vessel tracking device for use with a pressure source has an elongate introduction element configured for introduction into a vessel of a human body, the introduction element having a proximal end and a distal end, and the distal end having a flexible distal end portion containing an internal cavity that is closed at the distal end. A pressure adjuster is configured for communication with said pressure source. The introduction element has a connection channel connected to the pressure adjuster at the proximal end of the introduction element, the connection channel being connected with the internal cavity and placing the internal cavity in communication with the pressure source, with the pressure adjuster controlling an internal pressure in the internal cavity. The distal end portion has different wall portions that are differently deformed as the internal pressure is adjusted, to produce a change in direction of the distal end controlled by the pressure controller.

Abstract: In an implantable sensor lead for sensing mechanical cardiac activity of a heart, as well as a sensing method and a cardiac stimulator embodying such a sensor lead, multiple cardiac activity sensing elements are distributed along a portion of a length of the lead body of the implantable lead. The sensing elements sense or detect mechanical cardiac activity and respectively emit electrical signals corresponding to the detected mechanical cardiac activity. The delivery of cardiac stimulation pulses can be controlled dependent on an analysis of the detected mechanical cardiac activity.

Abstract: A cardiac stimulator has an implantable cardiac lead that carries a temperature sensitive element with a surface thereof in contact with biological matter. The temperature sensitive element emits a temperature signal corresponding to the temperature of biological matter, such as blood, in contact with the surface of the temperature sensitive element. Processing circuitry receives the temperature signal and determines a variability thereof within a selected time interval. A status signal is emitted dependent on this variability.

Abstract: In an implantable sensor lead for sensing mechanical cardiac activity of a heart, as well as a sensing method and a cardiac stimulator embodying such a sensor lead, multiple cardiac activity sensing elements are distributed along a portion of a length of the lead body of the implantable lead. The sensing elements sense or detect mechanical cardiac activity and respectively emit electrical signals corresponding to the detected mechanical cardiac activity. The delivery of cardiac stimulation pulses can be controlled dependent on an analysis of the detected mechanical cardiac activity.

Abstract: A vessel tracking device for use with a pressure source has an elongate introduction element configured for introduction into a vessel of a human body, the introduction element having a proximal end and a distal end, and the distal end having a flexible distal end portion containing an internal cavity that is closed at the distal end. A pressure adjuster is configured for communication with said pressure source. The introduction element has a connection channel connected to the pressure adjuster at the proximal end of the introduction element, the connection channel being connected with the internal cavity and placing the internal cavity in communication with the pressure source, with the pressure adjuster controlling an internal pressure in the internal cavity. The distal end portion has different wall portions that are differently deformed as the internal pressure is adjusted, to produce a change in direction of the distal end controlled by the pressure controller.

Abstract: A biventricular cardiac stimulation device has a pulse generator for delivering stimulation pulses at least to the ventricles of a patient's heart. An evoked response detector has independent first and second ventricular sensing channels for ventricular evoked response detection in the ventricles. The pulse generator is controlled to deliver stimulation pulses to the second ventricle with a VV time delay after delivery of a stimulation pulse to the first-stimulated ventricle, the VV time delay being shorter than an evoked response detection time window that follows delivery of the stimulation pulse to the first-stimulated ventricle. An evoked response detector closes the evoked response detection window, or discards detections therein, in response to the emission of a stimulation pulse to the second-stimulated ventricle during the evoked response detection time window of the first-stimulated ventricle.

Abstract: A biventricular cardiac stimulation device has a pulse generator for delivering stimulation pulses at least to the ventricles of a patient's heart. An evoked response detector has independent first and second ventricular sensing channels for ventricular evoked response detection in the ventricles. The pulse generator is controlled to deliver stimulation pulses to the second ventricle with a VV time delay after delivery of a stimulation pulse to the first-stimulated ventricle, the VV time delay being shorter than an evoked response detection time window that follows delivery of the stimulation pulse to the first-stimulated ventricle. An evoked response detector closes the evoked response detection window, or discards detections therein, in response to the emission of a stimulation pulse to the second-stimulated ventricle during the evoked response detection time window of the first-stimulated ventricle.