Abstract: A system and method for detecting lead adequacy and quality is disclosed. The system includes leads attached to a package having known electrical or optical characteristics. The package is adapted to interface with a testing device that allows the operator to ascertain whether the leads are appropriate for the desired task. This allows the testing of the lead set without the need to remove it from the package. The system of the present invention generally includes packaging of known electrical or optical characteristics, a package testing interface, and a lead testing assembly including hardware and/or software to determine whether the leads in question fulfill the desired characteristics. The lead testing assembly may be freestanding or may be incorporated into an existing testing instrument.

Abstract: A method and system for detecting lead adequacy and quality for leads used in devices that sense or deliver low levels of electromagnetic energy. The system includes leads attached to a package substrate having known electrical or optical characteristics. The package is adapted to interface with a testing device that allows an operator to ascertain whether the leads are appropriate for a desired task. The operator need not remove the leads from the package to perform the test. The lead testing system may be freestanding or integrated into a lead utilizing instrument.

Abstract: Sensing artifacts in cardiac signals picked up by electrical leads are reduced by placing an electrical shunting switch across the conductors of the ECG sensing leads and the stimulation leads that deliver a subthreshold electrical stimulation. In addition, impedance switches are placed in series with the sensing leads. The shunting switches and impedance switches are then manipulated to present cardiac signals that can be analyzed for diagnostic purposes within less than 100 ms from delivery of a subthreshold electrical stimulation.

Abstract: A method of treating ocular disorders (such as, for example, proliferative vitreoretinopathy or PVR) associated with replicating ocular cells by transfecting replicating ocular cells in vivo with a polynucleotide encoding an agent which is capable of providing for the inhibition, prevention, or destruction of the growth of the replicating ocular cells upon expression of the agent. The agent may be a viral thymidine kinase, and the polynucleotide encoding the agent may be contained in a retroviral vector. Once the replicating ocular cells are transduced with the retroviral vector, the patient is given a chemotherapeutic or interaction agent, such as ganciclovir, which kills the transfected replicating ocular cells.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting a patient's susceptibility to arrhythmias and cardiac tissue abnormality is disclosed. The method consists of using a computer 27, a display 23, software loaded onto the computer that generates graphical user interfaces (GUIs), an electronic interface 18, and a plurality of electrodes. The electronics interface 18 is in electronic communication with the computer 27, and further in electronic communication with the electrodes that are placed by self-adhesion at predetermined locations on a test subject 35. According to one aspect of the invention, the method enables a user, typically a medical professional, to initiate, with minimal input, certain diagnostic tests involving observing and analyzing a series of QRS complexes 130, some of which are biased with a subpacing current, and others of which are unbiased. The signals are then compared, and the differences are analyzed to detect a patient's susceptibility to arrhythmias and cardiac tissue abnormality.

Abstract: Sensing artifacts in cardiac signals picked up by electrical leads are reduced by placing an electrical shunting switch across the conductors of the ECG sensing leads and the stimulation leads that deliver a subthreshold electrical stimulation. In addition, impedance switches are placed in series with the sensing leads. The shunting switches and impedance switches are then manipulated to present cardiac signals that can be analyzed for diagnostic purposes within less than 100 ms from delivery of a subthreshold electrical stimulation.

Abstract: A method of treating ocular disorders (such as, for example, proliferative vitreoretinopathy or PVR) associated with replicating ocular cells by transfecting replicating ocular cells in vivo with a polynucleotide encoding an agent which is capable of providing for the inhibition, prevention, or destruction of the growth of the replicating ocular cells upon expression of the agent. The agent may be a viral thymidine kinase, and the polynucleotide encoding the agent may be contained in a retroviral vector. Once the replicating ocular cells are transduced with the retroviral vector, the patient is given a chemotherapeutic or interaction agent, such as ganciclovir, which kills the transfected replicating ocular cells.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting a patient's susceptibility to arrhythmias and cardiac tissue abnormality is disclosed. The method consists of using a computer, a display, software loaded onto the computer that generates graphical user interfaces (GUIs), an electronic interface, and a plurality of electrodes. The electronics interface is in electronic communication with the computer, and further in electronic communication with the electrodes that are placed by self-adhesion at predetermined locations on a test subject. According to one aspect of the invention, the method enables a user, typically a medical professional, to initiate, with minimal input, certain diagnostic tests involving observing and analyzing a series of QRS complexes, some of which are biased by passively altering the impedance of the patient's body, and others of which are unbiased.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting a patient's susceptibility to arrhythmias and cardiac tissue abnormality is disclosed. The method consists of using a computer 27, a display 23, software loaded onto the computer that generates graphical user interfaces (GUIs), an electronic interface 18, and a plurality of electrodes. The electronics interface 18 is in electronic communication with the computer 27, and further in electronic communication with the electrodes that are placed by self-adhesion at predetermined locations on a test subject 35. According to one aspect of the invention, the method enables a user, typically a medical professional, to initiate, with minimal input, certain diagnostic tests involving observing and analyzing a series of QRS complexes 130, some of which are biased with a subpacing current, and others of which are unbiased. The signals are then compared, and the differences are analyzed to detect a patient's susceptibility to arrhythmias and cardiac tissue abnormality.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting a patient's susceptibility to arrhythmias and cardiac tissue abnormality is disclosed. The method consists of using a computer, a display, software loaded onto the computer that generates graphical user interfaces (GUIs), an electronic interface, and a plurality of electrodes. The electronics interface is in electronic communication with the computer, and further in electronic communication with the electrodes that are placed by self-adhesion at predetermined locations on a test subject. According to one aspect of the invention, the method enables a user, typically a medical professional, to initiate, with minimal input, certain diagnostic tests involving observing and analyzing a series of QRS complexes, some of which are biased by passively altering the impedance of the patient's body, and others of which are unbiased. The signals are then compared, and the differences are analyzed to detect a patient's susceptibility to arrhythmias and cardiac tissue abnormality.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting a patient's susceptibility to arrhythmias and cardiac tissue abnormality is disclosed. The method consists of using a computer 27, a display 23, software loaded onto the computer that generates graphical user interfaces (GUIs), an electronic interface 18, and a plurality of electrodes. The electronics interface 18 is in electronic communication with the computer 27, and further in electronic communication with the electrodes that are placed by self-adhesion at predetermined locations on a test subject 35. According to one aspect of the invention, the method enables a user, typically a medical professional, to initiate, with minimal input, certain diagnostic tests involving observing and analyzing a series of QRS complexes 130, some of which are biased with a subpacing current, and others of which are unbiased. The signals are then compared, and the differences are analyzed to detect a patient's susceptibility to arrhythmias and cardiac tissue abnormality.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting lead adequacy and quality is disclosed. The system includes leads attached to a package having known electrical or optical characteristics. The package is adapted to interface with a testing device that allows the operator to ascertain whether the leads are appropriate for the desired task. This allows the testing of the lead set without the need to remove it from the package. The system of the present invention generally includes packaging of known electrical or optical characteristics, a package testing interface, and a lead testing assembly including hardware and/or software to determine whether the leads in question fulfill the desired characteristics. The lead testing assembly may be freestanding or may be incorporated into an existing testing instrument.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting a patient's susceptibility to arrhythmias and cardiac tissue abnormality is disclosed. The method consists of using a computer, a display, software loaded onto the computer that generates graphical user interfaces (GUIs), an electronic interface, and a plurality of electrodes. The electronics interface is in electronic communication with the computer, and further in electronic communication with the electrodes that are placed by self-adhesion at predetermined locations on a test subject. According to one aspect of the invention, the method enables a user, typically a medical professional, to initiate, with minimal input, certain diagnostic tests involving observing and analyzing a series of QRS complexes, some of which are biased with a subpacing current, and others of which are unbiased. The signals are then compared, and the differences are analyzed to detect a patient's susceptibility to arrhythmias and cardiac tissue abnormality.

Abstract: A tunable mass coupled to a body subjected to forced vibrations that reduces the vibration amplitudes of the body in the forced vibration frequency band. The mass includes a container having a plurality of cavities with grooves in the lower surfaces and notched side walls. Each cavity is filled with spherical elements which are restrained by the grooves and notches. The tunable mass is constructed to respond in a spring like manner so that vibration frequencies of the mass are tunable to provide counter vibrations in the forced vibration frequency band. Vibration frequency amplitude reduction is provided by vibrations of the mass that are in phase opposition to the vibrations of the body.

Abstract: A system for detecting a patient's susceptibility to arrhythmias and cardiac tissue abnormality is disclosed. The system consists of a computer, a display software loaded onto the computer that generates graphical user interfaces (GUIs), an electronic interface, and a plurality of electrodes. The electronics interface is in electronic communication with the computer, and further in electronic communication with the electrodes that are placed by self-adhesion at predetermined locations on a test subject. According to one aspect of the invention, the system enables a user, typically a medical professional, to initiate, with minimal input, certain diagnostic test involving observing a series of QRS complexes that are both biased with a subpacing current and unbiased. The QRS complexes are then compared and analyzed by the system to detect a patient's susceptibility to arrhythmias and cardiac tissue abnormality.

Abstract: A method for detecting a patient's susceptibility to arrhythmias and cardiac tissue abnormality is disclosed. The method consists of using a computer, a display, software loaded onto the computer that generates graphical user interfaces (GUIs), an electronic interface, and a plurality of electrodes. The electronics interface is in electronic communication with the computer, and further in electronic communication with the electrodes that are placed by self-adhesion at predetermined locations on a test subject. According to one aspect of the invention, the method enables a user, typically a medical professional, to initiate, with minimal input, certain diagnostic tests involving observing and analyzing a series of QRS complexes, some of which are biased with a subpacing current, and others of which are unbiased. The signals are then compared, and the differences are analyzed to detect a patient's susceptibility to arrhythmias and cardiac tissue abnormality.