Abstract: An extractable endocardial tip for an electrode of an electrical stimulator has a lead body with a front end for positioning the electrode within a desired area and a back end for connecting to an electrical source. At least one fin protrudes from the lead body. The fin having an anterior leading edge and a posterior receding edge wherein the posterior receding edge is serrated to form a cutting surface. The serrated cutting edge is relatively sharp such that when the electrode is pulled, the serrated edge cuts through any fibrous scar tissue or any other material that surrounds the electrode to facilitate the relatively easy withdraw of the electrode from the heart. Further, the cutting edge re-cuts the original opening allowing for later reinsertion of a new lead through the same opening. The lead body may have convexities or concavities to increase the contact surface area and improve conductivity.

Abstract: An extractable endocardial tip for an electrode of an electrical stimulator has a lead body with a front end for positioning the electrode within a desired area and a back end for connecting to an electrical source. At least one fin protrudes from the lead body. The fin having an anterior leading edge and a posterior receding edge wherein the posterior receding edge is serrated to form a cutting surface. The serrated cutting edge is relatively sharp such that when the electrode is pulled, the serrated edge cuts through any fibrous scar tissue or any other material that surrounds the electrode to facilitate the relatively easy withdraw of the electrode from the heart. Further, the cutting edge re-cuts the original opening allowing for later reinsertion of a new lead through the same opening. The lead body may have convexities or concavities to increase the contact surface area and improve conductivity.

Abstract: An extractable endocardial tip for an electrode of an electrical stimulator has a tip body with a front end for positioning the electrode within a desired area and a back end for connecting to an electrical source. A fin protrudes from the tip body and has an anterior leading edge and a posterior receding edge wherein the posterior receding edge is serrated to form a cutting surface. The tip body also has an internally threaded bore for engaging a mating externally threaded stylet. When the tip body is pulled by pulling on the mating stylet, the serrated edge cuts through any fibrous scar tissue or any other material that surrounds the electrode to facilitate the relatively easy withdrawal of the electrode from the heart.

Abstract: A stethoscope head for joining to an earpiece assembly. The head has a generally tubular neck for joining the head to the earpiece assembly. An anterior chamber has an open face with an aperture at its apex and an outer rim. The bell is adapted to gather and reflect sound originating at or near the open face toward the aperture. A thin disposable diaphragm has adhesive on one side for releasably adhering to the rim. A central chamber is adjacent the bell and connected to the bell by the aperture. The chamber is adapted to direct sounds from the aperture to the neck.

Abstract: A thin, disposable shield serves as a sanitary cover as well as a diaphragm for a stethoscope. The shield has a circular line of perforations, resulting in a central disk portion and an outer ring portion. The shield is releasably secured to the rim, preferably by adhesive, to protect a patient from contact with the rim. The shield itself serves as the diaphragm, vibrating with sound transmission. The perforations optionally allow the disk portion to be punched out to provide an unobstructed path for sound transmission of lower frequency. If the forward face of the threaded ring of a conventional stethoscope is not flat, a substitute ring may be secured in place of the conventional ring. The substitute ring has a flat face that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The flat face enhances the ability of the shield to stick to the ring.

Abstract: A pacemaker for providing electrical pulses for a heart has an anatomically-shaped housing. The housing has a concave inner wall and a convex outer wall, which are spaced apart and joined at the periphery. The periphery is elliptical and rounded. The electronics locate within a cavity between the inner and outer walls. An electrical wire extends upward directly above a center of gravity of the housing for connection to the heart. An aperture is located above the center of gravity for suturing to tissue of the patient.