Abstract: A cardiac arrest monitor and alarm system including an implantable medical device having at least three subcutaneous electrodes positioned with respect to a heart organ and forming a subcutaneous orthogonal lead configuration to continuously monitor an electrocardiographic signal of the heart organ. An implantable microdevice, operatively connected to the subcutaneous medical device, detects a deviation from a normal heart electrical activity and emits a signal to an external receiver. Upon verification of the signal from the microdevice, the external receiver activates a programmed annunciator circuit to alert bystanders and activate a communication link automatically transmitting an alarm and the electrocardiographic signal to a remote transceiver.

Abstract: A cardiac arrest monitor and alarm system including an implantable medical device having at least three subcutaneous electrodes positioned with respect to a heart organ and forming a subcutaneous orthogonal lead configuration to continuously monitor an electrocardiographic signal of the heart organ. An implantable microdevice, operatively connected to the subcutaneous medical device, detects a deviation from a normal heart electrical activity and emits a signal to an external receiver. Upon verification of the signal from the microdevice, the external receiver activates a programmed annunciator circuit to alert bystanders and activate a communication link automatically transmitting an alarm and the electrocardiographic signal to a remote transceiver.

Abstract: An implantable drug delivery apparatus including a housing that has a housing chamber. An outer deformable body having a reserve chamber is mounted within the housing chamber. An inner deformable body having a dispensing chamber is mounted within the reserve chamber. A dispensing valve is actuated to an open position to allow a fluidic drug to flow from the dispensing chamber, through the dispensing valve and through a catheter into a body of a patient. The fluidic drug is discharged from the dispensing chamber at a dispensing mass flowrate which is greater than a refilling mass flowrate of the fluidic drug passing from the reserve chamber to the dispensing chamber, when the dispensing valve is in an open position.

Abstract: A method and an implantable apparatus for automatically delivering a defibrillating drug to a patient upon detection of the onset of atrial fibrillation. Atrial activity of a heart is detected and monitored. A delivery time is continuously computed and a delivery signal is emitted as a function of the monitored level of the atrial activity. When the delivery signal is emitted, an infusion pump discharges a defibrillating drug into the bloodstream of the patient. The atrial activity is also continuously monitored for computing a pacing time at which a pacing signal is emitted as a second function of the monitored level of atrial activity. When the pacing signal is emitted a pacer paces the atrium of the heart.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically detecting a posterior ischemia includes a multi-element esophageal electrode coupled to an artifact suppressing circuit and a cardiac stimulator. Output from the artifact suppressing circuit, the detected QRS wave, is processed in analog and digital filters. The processed signal is analyzed to automatically determine the presence or absence of the posterior ischemia.

Abstract: An integrally formed, molded, esophageal electrode provides for positive locking of spaced-apart conducting members to the body section. The electrode includes a molded body section with a centrally formed shoulder. The shoulder provides for spacing between the two cylindrical conducting members carried on the body of the electrode. Molded hemispherical end members provide positive locking of the conductive members to the body portion.