Abstract: A neurostimulation device includes an external neurostimulator worn by a patient using a bracing element that braces a portion of the patient's body. The external neurostimulator delivers neurostimulation to modulate a cardiovascular function of the patient. In one embodiment, the external stimulator delivers the neurostimulation transcutaneously to a stimulation target in the patient's body using surface stimulation electrodes placed on the body approximately over the stimulation target.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for: 1) displaying all vital central station (CS) information and controls on a single screen; 2) linking peripheral central stations (pCSs) to a master central station (mCS); 3) operating the system disclosed in U.S. Ser. No. 10/460,458, without medical professionals (MPs) in the mCS or without any mCS; 4) linking a remote controlled defibrillator (RCD™) unit to an arrest sensor; 5) operating an RCD unit in a motor vehicle and linking an RCD unit to a vehicle communications system; 6) linking an RCD unit to a CS through a network of: a) non-vehicle-based stationary units (SUs), b) vehicle-based SUs/vehicle communication systems, or c) non-vehicle-based SUs and vehicle-based SUs/vehicle communication systems; 7) using an RCD unit with a chest compression device; 8) using the network of RCD units and MPs for disaster monitoring; and 9) monitoring and treating hospital patients and motor vehicle passengers.

Abstract: An external cardiac stimulation patch integrates a transcutaneous cardiac stimulation device and body-surface electrodes with a skin patch. The skin patch is to be attached onto a patient to provide for electrical contacts between the body-surface electrodes and a patient. The transcutaneous cardiac stimulation device delivers pacing pulses to the heart of the patient through pacing electrodes selected from the body-surface electrodes.

Abstract: System and method for monitoring and controlling, defibrillation and pacing which allows a victim of a cardiac rhythm abnormality immediate access to a medical professional at a central station, who will remotely monitor, diagnose and treat the victim at one of a plurality of remote sites in accordance with the following steps: (1) providing a plurality of contact electrodes for a victim at a remote site for the receipt of ECG signals and for the application of electrical pulses to the victim; (2) transmitting the signals from the remote site to a central station and displaying them for review by the medical professional; (3) the medical professional selecting from a menu of defibrillation and pacing pulses, if the application thereof is appropriate; (4) transmitting the selection results to the remote site; and (5) receiving the selection results at the remote site and applying the selected pulses to the victim.

Abstract: A method of performing a medical procedure is provided. The medical procedure includes stimulation of a patient's heart while stimulating a nerve of the patient in order to modulate the patient's inflammatory process. More particularly, the medical procedure includes pacing the ventricles of the patient's heart while stimulating the vagal nerve of the patient. Systems and devices for performing the medical procedure are also provided.

Abstract: A medical device includes a rechargeable lithium-ion battery for providing power to the medical device. The lithium-ion battery includes a positive electrode comprising a current collector and an active material comprising a material selected from the group consisting of LiCoO2, LiMn2O4, LiNixCoyNi(1?x?y)O2, LiAlxCoyNi(1?x?y)O2, LiTixCoyNi(1?x?y)O2, and combinations thereof. The lithium-ion battery also includes a negative electrode having a current collector and an active material including a lithium titanate material. The current collector of the negative electrode includes a material selected from the group consisting of aluminum, titanium, and silver. The battery is configured for cycling to near-zero-voltage conditions without a substantial loss of battery capacity.

Abstract: Cardioprotective pacing is applied to prevent and/or reduce cardiac injury associated with cardiac catheterization or surgery. Pacing pulses are generated from a pacemaker and delivered through one or more pacing electrodes incorporated onto one or more devices used in the cardiac catheterization or surgery. The pacemaker controls the delivery of the pacing pulses by executing a cardioprotective pacing protocol. In one embodiment, the one or more pacing electrodes are incorporated onto an intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) catheter. In another embodiment, the one or more pacing electrodes are incorporated onto one or more cardiac surgical instruments such as a heart stabilizer and a sternal retractor.

Abstract: A pacing system includes a pacemaker and a pacing protocol module externally attached to the pacemaker. The pacing protocol module stores the pacing protocol. The pacemaker controls delivery of pacing pulses by automatically executing the pacing protocol. In one embodiment, the pacing protocol is a cardioprotective pacing protocol for preventing and/or reducing cardiac injury associated with myocardial infarction (MI) and revascularization procedure. The pacing pulses are generated from the pacemaker and delivered through one or more pacing electrodes incorporated onto one or more percutaneous transluminal vascular intervention (PTVI) devices during the revascularization procedure.

Abstract: Cardioprotective pacing is applied to prevent and/or reduce cardiac injury associated with myocardial infarction (MI) and revascularization procedure. Pacing pulses are generated from a pacemaker and delivered through one or more pacing electrodes incorporated onto one or more percutaneous transluminal vascular intervention (PTVI) devices during the revascularization procedure. In one embodiment, at least one pacing electrode is incorporated onto the shaft of a PTVI device to allow the pacing pulses to be delivered to a site remote from an infarcted region where the distal end portion of the PTVI device is placed.

Abstract: Cardioprotective pacing is applied to prevent and/or reduce cardiac injury associated with myocardial infarction (MI) and revascularization procedure. Pacing pulses are generated from a flexible pacemaker circuit integrated with a percutaneous transluminal vascular intervention (PTVI) device and delivered through pacing electrodes incorporated onto the PTVI device during the revascularization procedure.

Abstract: Cardioprotective pacing is applied to prevent and/or reduce cardiac injury associated with myocardial infarction (MI) and revascularization procedure. Pacing pulses are generated from a pacemaker and delivered through one or more pacing electrodes incorporated onto one or more percutaneous transluminal vascular intervention (PTVI) devices during the revascularization procedure. In one embodiment, a PTVI device releases a conductive liquid to provide a conductive medium between a pacing electrode and tissue of pacing site.

Abstract: Cardioprotective pacing is applied to prevent and/or reduce cardiac injury associated with myocardial infarction (MI) and revascularization procedure. Pacing pulses are generated from a pacemaker and delivered through a plurality of pacing leads introduced into a patient's body through a percutaneous transluminal vascular intervention (PTVI) catheter have a plurality of exit ports. In one embodiment, the exit ports are arranged for the pacing leads to enter multiple specified blood vessels.

Abstract: Cardioprotective pacing is applied to prevent and/or reduce cardiac injury associated with myocardial infarction (MI) and revascularization procedure. Pacing pulses are generated from a pacemaker and delivered through one or more pacing electrodes incorporated onto one or more percutaneous transluminal vascular intervention (PTVI) devices during the revascularization procedure. In one embodiment, a PTVI device includes an expandable distal end to provide a stable electrical contact between a pacing electrode and the vascular wall of a blood vessel when the distal end is placed in the blood vessel.

Abstract: A pacing system analyzer (PSA) having three or more individually controllable sensing and pacing channels provides for testing and measurement during an operation for implanting a pacemaker having three or more sensing and pacing channels. The PSA allows control and adjustment of pacing parameters including cross-channel pacing parameters relating activities between any two of the three or more channels, such as atrioventricular and interventricular pacing delays. The PSA is also capable of, among other things, displaying real-time cardiac signals, measuring amplitude and slew rate of cardiac depolarizations, and measuring lead impedance for each of the sensing and pacing channels, as well as measuring time intervals between cardiac depolarizations in two different sensing and pacing channels. In one embodiment, the PSA includes individually controllable atrial, right ventricular (RV), and left ventricular (LV) sensing and pacing channels.

Abstract: An external cardiac medical device for delivering Cardiac Potentiation Therapy (CPT). Techniques used with the device include initial diagnosis of the patient, delivery of the CPT, and configuration of the external device, so that CPT can be effectively and efficiently provided. In particular, these techniques include initially determining whether a patient should receive CPT, how to set the coupling interval for delivering CPT, how to configure the external medical device to deliver CPT stimulation pulses while not adversely affecting the device's ability to sense a patient's cardiac parameters and/or signals.

Abstract: A system for providing temporary therapy, such as cardiac resynchronization therapy, to a patient suffering a decompensation event. The system can include a device having an external module for generating electrical stimuli, a first lead coupled to the module and implanted into an atrial region of a patient's heart, and a second lead coupled to the module and implanted into a ventricular region of the patient's heart. The device can also include a storage module coupled to the external module to store data associated with physiological data measured by the device. The external module is configured to temporarily generate electrical stimuli that are delivered by at least one of the first and second leads to provide therapy cardiac resynchronization therapy to the heart. A network can be coupled to the device to allow data stored in the device to be downloaded through the network to a central repository.

Abstract: Methods and devices of cardiac electrode placement involve locating electrodes on a thorax of a patient. Surface pacing levels are determined relative to a pacing limit. Surface electrode locations are selected or rejected based on the level being within a limit. Electrodes may be relocated to new locations, and new surface pacing levels determined, until a new surface pacing level falls within the pacing limit. Selecting or rejecting electrode locations involves selecting locations suitable for implantation of subcutaneous cardiac electrodes and implanting at the selected locations.

Abstract: A system for providing temporary therapy, such as cardiac resynchronization therapy, to a patient suffering a decompensation event. The system can include a device having an external module for generating electrical stimuli, a first lead coupled to the module and implanted into an atrial region of a patient's heart, and a second lead coupled to the module and implanted into a ventricular region of the patient's heart. The device can also include a storage module coupled to the external module to store data associated with physiological data measured by the device. The external module is configured to temporarily generate electrical stimuli that are delivered by at least one of the first and second leads to provide therapy cardiac resynchronization therapy to the heart. A network can be coupled to the device to allow data stored in the device to be downloaded through the network to a central repository.

Abstract: The invention is directed to devices for two minimally invasive therapeutic procedures, particularly for patients with congestive heart failure. One procedure involves providing a valve to form a passageway through the patient's left ventricular wall at the apex of the patient's heart and configured to advance instruments through the valved passageway to connect the valve leaflets of the patient's heart valve, e.g. the mitral valve, in a “Bow-Tie” configuration to prevent or minimize regurgitation through the valve. The second procedure is directed to a pacing lead with a housing and a pacing lead implanting device which are configured to pass through a trocar in the patient's chest and implanting the pacing lead on an exposed epicardial region of the patient's heart wall. The pacing lead has a penetrating electrode which is secured within the heart wall. One or both procedures may be performed on a patient with CHF.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring and controlling the therapy of a cardiac rhythm abnormality victim at a remote site by proving immediate access to a medical professional at a central station. The method comprises the steps of: (1) providing a plurality of electrodes for receiving cardiac signals generated by the victim and for the application of electrical pulses to the victim at a remote site; (2) transmitting the signals from the remote site to a central station; (3) receiving the signals at the central station and displaying them for the medical professional; (4) selecting whether to delivery defibrillation or pacing therapy to the victim based on the medical professional's analysis of the signals (5) transmitting the selection results to the remote site; and (6) receiving the selection results at the remote site and applying the selected therapy to the victim.

Abstract: A method of performing a medical procedure is provided. The medical procedure includes stimulation of a patient's heart while stimulating a nerve of the patient in order to modulate the patient's inflammatory process. More particularly, the medical procedure includes pacing the ventricles of the patient's heart while stimulating the vagal nerve of the patient. Systems and devices for performing the medical procedure are also provided.

Abstract: A beauty device includes a light irradiation section that irradiates light of a predetermined wavelength, and an ion generating section that generates an ion. The light irradiation section is placed at one side surface of a main body of the beauty device, and the ion generating section is placed at the other side surface of the main body of the beauty device. The light irradiation section includes a plurality of light source modules arranged in a predetermined array. Each light source module includes a plurality of light emitting diodes that are arranged in a predetermined array to emit light of two or more wavelengths.

Abstract: A medical lead adapter assembly is provided for facilitating an electrical connection between an implantable medical lead connector and an external medical device. The adapter includes a housing, having a sidewall and a longitudinally extending connector receptacle, and at least one contact opening passing through the sidewall to the receptacle. The contact opening is positioned in a location corresponding with at least one ring contact of the lead connector, when the lead connector is engaged within the receptacle, and allows electrical connection between at least one contact element of the external medical device and the at least one ring contact of the lead connector.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for conferring a therapeutic current on the heart and adjacent vasculature from externally positioned electrodes is provided. The apparatus includes a first electrode, a second electrode and a current generator. The method includes applying an electric stimulus to the heart and maintaining the timing and/or level of current to prevent unwanted depolarization.

Abstract: One aspect provides a capacitor feedthrough assembly having an electrically conductive member dimensioned to extend at least partially through a feedthrough hole of a case of the capacitor, the conductive member having a passage therethrough.

Abstract: Systems and methods of verifying that implantable cardiac devices operate as intended in a particular patient involve one or more of determining proper placement of system components, determining stimulus levels useful for individual patient stratification, and determining stimulus levels that indicate efficacy of devices, implantable within a given patient. A pacing stimulus set at a surface pacing level is delivered to a patient's heart using surface electrodes. The patient is determined to not be a candidate for implantation of a subcutaneous defibrillation system if the surface pacing level needed to capture the heart exceeds a predetermined level. The patient may be determined to be a candidate for implantation of a subcutaneous system if the surface pacing level needed to effect capture is within an acceptance level. Such determinations are preferably based on a proportionality relationship between a subcutaneous defibrillation level and a surface pacing level.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for protecting cardiac tissue from insult. The method comprises identifying the occurrence of an insult, such as a heart attack, and delivering electrical stimulation to one or more predetermined nerves in a patient's body in response to identifying the occurrence of the insult. The stimulation may be provided at the spinal canal or on the chest wall of the patient through cutaneous electrodes.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for providing a practitioner the ability to switch from one cardiac pacing mode to another cardiac pacing mode when treating a patient suffering from heart failure due to discoordinate ventricular contraction. Also disclosed are methods of providing different modes of cardiac pacing to a cardiac pacing patient using the apparatus.

Abstract: An external defibrillator/pacer includes an output circuit with four legs arrayed to form an H-bridge. Each leg of the output circuit contains a switch. In a defibrillation mode, pairs of switches in the H-bridge are selectively switched to generate a biphasic defibrillation pulse. Three switches are silicon controlled rectifiers (SCRs). Gate drive circuits are coupled to the SCRs to bias the SCRs with a voltage that allows the SCRs in response to control signals. One switch includes an insulated gate bipolar transistor (IGBT). A gate drive circuit is coupled to the gate of the IGETs to provide a slow turn-on and a fast turn-off of the IGBT. In a pacing mode, a bypass circuit or current source circuit is used to provide a current path bypassing an SCR switch, which cannot be triggered by the relatively low current of pacing pulses.

Abstract: A method of performing a medical procedure, such as surgery, is provided. The system comprises a sensor to sense a biological characteristic, such as a chemical, physical or physiological characteristic of a bodily tissue or fluid. The method also comprises a nerve stimulator in communication with the sensor to inhibit beating of a heart when the sensor senses the biological characteristic at a first value; and a cardiac stimulator in communication with the sensor to stimulate beating of the heart when the sensor senses the biological characteristic at a second value.

Abstract: A method of performing a medical procedure, such as surgery, is provided. A nerve is stimulated in order to adjust the beating of the heart to a first condition, such as a stopped or slowed condition. The medical procedure is performed on the heart or another organ. The stimulation of the nerve is stopped in order to adjust the beating of the heart to a second condition, such as a beating condition. The heart itself may also be stimulated to a beating condition, such as by pacing. The stimulation of the nerve may be continued in order to allow the medical procedure to be continued. Systems and devices for performing the medical procedure are also provided.

Abstract: Methods are provided for conducting diagnostic or therapeutic medical or surgical procedures in a patient wherein, during the procedure, autonomous ventricular electrical conductivity and escape beats are reversibly and transiently suppressed to facilitate the procedure. Also provided are compositions which are capable of inducing ventricular asystole in a patient. The compositions may include an atrioventricular (AV) node blocker. In one embodiment, compositions including an AV node blocker and a &bgr;-blocker are provided, wherein the &bgr;-blocker is present in an amount sufficient to substantially reduce the amount of AV node blocker required to induce ventricular asystole in the patient. The compositions and methods may be used for inducing temporary ventricular asystole in a beating heart, and to facilitate the performance of a variety of techniques, including minimally invasive microsurgical techniques.

Abstract: Improved systems, devices, and methods sense heart signals through a torso surface of a patient. These improved systems facilitate mounting of an array of sensors upon the patient's torso by supporting the sensor arrays on one or more panels. Four separate panels can be adapted for engaging the torso surface, with the four panels supporting most and/or all of the sensors necessary for localizing an arrhythmia within a chamber of a heart of a patient. The panels may have integrated components for use with other electrophysiology lab equipment such as cardiac imagers, defibrillation power sources, therapeutic probes, standard 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) systems, and the like. An exemplary arrhythmia sensing system is adapted for use in the high-noise environment of an electrophysiology lab includes a series of powered circuits distributed among the electrodes of the array.

Abstract: An electrical method and apparatus for stimulating cardiac cells causing contraction to force hemodynamic output during fibrillation, hemodynamically compromising tachycardia, or asystole. Forcing fields are applied to the heart to give cardiac output on an emergency basis until the arrhythmia ceases or other intervention takes place. The device is used as a stand alone external or internal device, or as a backup to an ICD, atrial defibrillator, or an anti-tachycardia pacemaker. The method and apparatus maintain some cardiac output and not necessarily defibrillation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to cardiac stabilizers and methods of use thereof in cardiac surgical procedures. In particular, the invention relates to the uses of cardiac stabilizers having one or more sensors operably attached to one or more stabilizing members to detect and treat reduced cardiac output during coronary bypass surgery.

Abstract: Methods are provided for conducting surgical procedures in a patient wherein, during the surgical procedure, autonomous ventricular electrical conductivity and escape beats are reversibly and transiently suppressed to facilitate the surgical procedure. Also provided are compositions which are capable of inducing ventricular asystole in a patient. The compositions may include an AV node blocker. In one embodiment, compositions including an atrioventricular (AV) node blocker and a &bgr;-blocker are provided, wherein the &bgr;-blocker is present in an amount sufficient to substantially reduce the amount of AV node blocker required to induce ventricular asystole in the patient. The compositions and methods may be used for inducing temporary ventricular asystole in a beating heart, and to facilitate the performance of a variety of surgical techniques, including minimally invasive microsurgical techniques.

Abstract: Methods are provided for conducting surgical procedures in a patient wherein, during the surgical procedure, autonomous ventricular electrical conductivity and escape beats are reversibly and transiently suppressed to facilitate the surgical procedure. Also provided are compositions which are capable of inducing ventricular asystole in a patient. The compositions may include an AV node blocker. In one embodiment, compositions including an atrioventricular (AV) node blocker and a .beta.-blocker are provided, wherein the .beta.-blocker is present in an amount sufficient to substantially reduce the amount of AV node blocker required to induce ventricular asystole in the patient. The compositions and methods may be used for inducing temporary ventricular asystole in a beating heart, and to facilitate the performance of a variety of surgical techniques, including minimally invasive microsurgical techniques.

Abstract: Methods are provided for conducting surgical procedures in a patient wherein, during the surgical procedure, autonomous ventricular electrical conductivity and escape beats are reversibly and transiently suppressed to facilitate the surgical procedure. Also provided are compositions which are capable of inducing ventricular asystole in a patient. The compositions may include an AV node blocker. In one embodiment, compositions including an atrioventricular (AV) node blocker and a .beta.-blocker are provided, wherein the .beta.-blocker is present in an amount sufficient to substantially reduce the amount of AV node blocker required to induce ventricular asystole in the patient. The compositions and methods may be used for inducing temporary ventricular asystole in a beating heart, and to facilitate the performance of a variety of surgical techniques, including minimally invasive microsurgical techniques.

Abstract: Methods are provided for conducting surgical procedures in a patient wherein, during the surgical procedure, autonomous ventricular electrical conductivity and escape beats are reversibly and transiently suppressed to facilitate the surgical procedure. Also provided are compositions which are capable of inducing ventricular asystole in a patient. The compossitions may include an AV node blocker. In one embodiment, compositions including an atrioventricular (AV) node blocker and a .beta.-blocker are provided, wherein the .beta.-blocker is present in an amount sufficient to substantially reduce the amount of AV node blocker required to induce ventricular asystole in the patient. The compositions and methods may be used for inducing temporary ventricular asystole in a beating heart, and to facilitate the performance of a variety of surgical techniques, including minimally invasive microsurgical techniques.

Abstract: Methods are provided for conducting surgical procedures in a patient wherein, during the surgical procedure, autonomous ventricular electrical conductivity and escape beats are reversibly and transiently suppressed to facilitate the surgical procedure. Also provided are compositions which are capable of inducing ventricular asystole in a patient. The compositions may include an AV node blocker. In one embodiment, compositions including an atrioventricular (AV) node blocker and a .beta.-blocker are provided, wherein the .beta.-blocker is present in an amount sufficient to substantially reduce the amount of AV node blocker required to induce ventricular asystole in the patient. The compositions and methods may be used for inducing temporary ventricular asystole in a beating heart, and to facilitate the performance of a variety of surgical techniques, including minimally invasive microsurgical techniques.

Abstract: Device and method for effecting ventricular cardiac pacing by inserting electrodes which are supported by a carrier into the stomach of a patient via the patient's esophagus, and pressing the electrodes against the wall of the stomach by the action of a carrier displacing member.

Abstract: A self-powered, self-contained, intravenous pacing catheter assembly for use in temporary intravenous cardiac pacing therapy, wherein all components of the assembly may be operated and maintained in a sterile environment proximate a patient entry site. In a preferred embodiment, a miniature pacemaker is powered by an attachable dc battery and outputs a selectable electrical pacing signal over an integrally attached intravenous pacing catheter to an electrode pair located at a distal end of the catheter. The combined pacemaker and catheter assembly are housed inside a sterile see-through pouch having at least one openable panel and an adhesive layer forming a continuous ring around the openable panel upon an exterior surface of the pouch. The pacemaker is preferably manipulable, e.g., by an attending physician, through walls of the sealed pouch, so that a sterile patient seal is not disturbed when changing the output signal settings.

Abstract: A transcutaneous cardiac pacing system has one or more cutaneous electrodes suitable for attachment to a human patient and a transcutaneous pacing system coupled to supply pacing pulses to the patient via the cutaneous electrodes. The pacing pulses are effective to stimulate cardiac activity in the patient. The transcutaneous cardiac pacing system also includes a transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation system coupled to supply nerve stimulation pulses to the patient via the same electrodes. The nerve stimulation pulses are effective to mitigate any discomfort that the patient might experience from the transcutaneous pacing pulses. The system thereby provides effective and tolerable emergency cardiac pacing without introduction of intravenous drugs or sedation of the patient.

Abstract: A medical lead adaptor that provides a rapid, secure, insulated connection of the lead connector end assembly of one or more implantable cardiac lead with an external medical device is disclosed. The adaptor connector assembly is configured with an elongated bipolar receptacle to accept a bipolar, in-line, or a unipolar lead connector end having common dimensions and with connector pin and ring, bipolar receptacle contacts spaced apart from one another therein. An elongated slot that extends laterally to an adaptor connector assembly exterior surface allows the lateral insertion of a stylet wire into the elongated bipolar receptacle. A separate pair of positive and negative polarity unipolar receptacles are provided for receiving unipolar medical lead connector pins and making electrical and mechanical contact with unipolar receptacle contacts therein.

Abstract: A pacemaker lead is disclosed of the type comprising a flexible cord formed of at least one spiralled electric conductor and surrounded by a sheath of insulating material and connected, at a proximal end of the lead, to a connection head removable from the pacemaker and, at a distal end, to a stimulation electrode device, where the lead is characterized by the addition of at least one opening in the sheath in the connection head that allows electrical conductive access to the spiralled conductor between the proximal and distal ends of the lead and where said opening has an associated removable closing means and where the opening is designed to be matable to an external distal lead end to make electrical contact with the conductor and to make the external lead maintain electrical contact during pacemaker implantation and replacement.

Abstract: A system for use in implanting an implantable cardiac device includes an external device operable to emulate the operation of the implantable cardiac device in accordance with a set of modality and operating parameters. An external programmer includes a transmitter for transmitting the set of operating and modality parameters and the external device includes a receiver for receiving the set of operating parameters transmitted by the external programmer. A memory within the external programmer stores the transmitted set of operating parameters and retransmits the set of operating parameters to the implantable cardiac device after it is implanted. The external programmer and external device each include a telemetry antenna. The external programmer and external device are arranged for aligning the telemetry antennas when the external programmer and external device are being used together.

Abstract: The invention comprises a method for facilitating coronary surgery on the beating heart wherein the vagal nerve is electrically stimulated to temporarily stop or substantially reduce the beating of the heart. Such temporary stoppage or substantial reduction of the beating of the heart facilitates procedures such as suturing of an anastomosis which would otherwise be more difficult because of the motion induced by the beating heart.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention is a mode switching method and apparatus for an external, dual chamber cardiac pacemaker having multiple single chamber and dual chamber primary pacing modes and user adjustable atrial and ventricular sensitivities. The dual chamber demand pacing mode, e.ga. the DDD or DDI mode, is in effect as long as the atrial and ventricular pace pulse amplitudes are set by the user within an operative range. The pacing mode is switched to a single chamber demand mode when one of the atrial and ventricular pace pulse energies is set to an inoperative setting which preferably is a no output setting. If the atrial pace pulse amplitude is set to no output, then the mode is switched to a single chamber demand mode with ventricular sensing and pacing, preferably the VVI mode. If the ventricular pace pulse amplitude is set to no output, then the mode is switched to a single chamber mode with atrial sensing and pacing, preferably the AAI mode.

Abstract: An emergency external defibrillator and pacing apparatus for applying electrical stimulation to a heart. The apparatus includes a tubular sleeve having an axial passage therethrough, which is insertable through an incision in a chest cavity to a predetermined depth proximate the heart. A first and second electrode is inserted through the axial passage of the sleeve to contact the surface of the heart. Means are provided for applying an electrical current of preset voltage and time interval to selectively stimulate heartbeat and control rhythm. The apparatus electrodes are inserted through an incision in a chest cavity which is held open by the tubular sleeve.

Abstract: A post-surgical cardioverting system and method applies cardioverting electrical energy to the atria of the heart of a post-surgical heart patient. The system includes a first lead including a first elongated electrode having a proximal end and a distal end, a second lead including a second elongated electrode having a proximal end and a distal end, and sutures for releasably anchoring the distal ends of the first and second electrodes to the pericardium and disposing the first and second electrodes along the pericardium overlying the right and left atria respectively. A non-implantable cardiovertor is coupled to the first and second leads for applying the cardioverting electrical energy to the first and second electrodes. When cardioversion is no longer required, the first and second leads may be pulled out of the patient's chest.