Abstract: A neuromuscular stimulation apparatus and procedure, which employs multiple channels of stimulation for the purpose of supplying directional control of blood flow in addition to augmenting the force of contraction. The apparatus comprises multiple channel stimulation electrodes and a multiple channel cardiosynchronous stimulator to selectively stimulate various sections of the skeletal muscle. The amplitudes of the stimulation pulses and the time delay following a cardiac event may be selected for each channel to appropriately stimulate the muscle to control the order of contraction of particular muscle fibers and thereby to govern the direction of blood flow.

Abstract: A tool and method for inserting cardiac defibrillation electrodes into a patient. The tool includes an elongated electrode support tube having a rounded distal end and a proximal end; a finger grip circumferentially connected about the electrode support tube toward the proximal end thereof; and an actuating rod slidably disposed coextensively within the electrode support tube and extending beyond the rounded distal end and the proximal end of the electrode support tube. A blunt conically shaped distal tip is connected to the distal end of the actuating rod, the distal tip having a base with a diameter larger than the diameter of the electrode support tube, and an inner surface for engaging the rounded distal end of the electrode support tube. A palm member is connected to the proximal end of the actuating rod to facilitate hand manipulation of the tool.

Abstract: An implantable, extractable probe for attachment to a vessel or organ. The probe is made up of an elongate probe body having front and rear ends, and top and bottom sides, the elongate probe body terminating in a flexible tube. The probe has at least one biological sensor attached to the bottom side of the probe body with at least one lead wire connected to the biological sensor, and the lead wire extends through the flexible tube. The probe includes a suture attachment wire for attaching at least one suture to secure the probe body to a predetermined sensor site, the suture attachment wire being releasably connected to the front of the elongate probe body and extending through the flexible tube, at least a portion of the suture attachment wire extending between the front of the elongate probe body and the flexible tube such that it is spaced a predetermined distance from the probe body.

Abstract: A suture sleeve for facilitating the ligature of an implanted lead to a patient's vein or underlying tissue. The suture sleeve comprises a main sleeve body having a first, longitudinal throughbore for receiving the lead. The suture sleeve is provided with a manually-actuated pushbutton-type locking mechanism. With the locking mechanism in an unlocked condition, the suture sleeve is allowed to freely move back and forth along the lead body. When the locking mechanism is actuated with a simple pushbutton action, the suture sleeve is substantially prevented from sliding along the lead body. The pushbutton mechanism is adapted to be movably received in a second throughbore in said sleeve body, the second throughbore being substantially perpendicular to the first longitudinal throughbore. The pushbutton mechanism has a throughbore of substantially the same diameter as the first longitudinal throughbore in the sleeve body.