Medtronic, Inc.

Gene A Bornzin

Jeffrey A Schweitzer

Joseph F Lessar

Michael D Baudino

Dennis A Brumwell

Michael D De Franco

Kenneth B Stokes

Michael J Kallok

George P Seifert

Wendy A Berthelsen

A heart pacemaker including a two wave length reflectance oximeter for determining oxygen saturation. The pacing rate is increased or decreased in response to the measured oxygen saturation. By appropriate multiplexing and timing functions, the two wave length reflectance oximeter is included in a pacing lead coupled to the pacemaker which requires only three conductors.

Oxygen sensing pacemaker

A multiple wavelength light source and a method of constructing a multiple wavelength light source. The light source includes a plurality of light emitting diodes mounted to a substrate, located closely adjacent to one another. A single optical fiber is mounted to the substrate, appropriately positioned to provide a desired ratio of wavelengths at a desired amplitude.

Method for delivering light from multiple light emitting diodes over a

An epicardial pacing lead for the delivery of stimulation energy to and the sensing of electrical signals from the myocardium of a human heart. The lead includes an electrode which penetrates the myocardium and serves to anchor the lead to the heart. The lead contains a drug for delivery through the electrode, to the myocardium. The electrode is provided with a bore for passage of the drug to the stimulation and fixation site.

Epicardial lead having low threshold, low polarization myocardial

A low-polarization electrode for use in medical stimulation leads. The electrode is provided with grooving and is coated with platinum black.

Low-polarization low-threshold electrode

A transvenous cardioversion lead for use in standby cardioversion in patients who have a high risk of ventricular tachycardia or fibrillation, adapted for use with presently available external defibrillation units. The lead is provided with energy-reducing or energy-limiting circuitry to prevent the inappropriately high energy levels which may be generated by external defibrillation units from causing injury to the patient while preserving the beneficial waveform of the defibrillation pulse. The lead is further provided with at least three electrodes, two for location in the ventricle, at least one for location in the superior vena cava. The lead is so constructed that the superior vena cava electrode and one of the ventricular electrodes may be used for cardioversion, while the two ventricular electrodes may be used for cardiac pacing and sensing.

Energy limiting cardioversion lead

An implantable pacer having an effective stimulation rate which varies in response to a measured physiological parameter. Changes in the parameter to be measured must be related to physiologically required changes in heart rate. The level of oxygen within intracardiac or pulmonary artery venous blood is the preferred parameter. This parameter is measured by an oxygen sensor located on a transvenously implanted lead. As with normal demand pacers, a sensing electrode, also located on the lead, provides the pacer with an indication of whether a pacing pulse must be generated. The measured physiological parameter determines the escape interval for demand pacing. As such, a given minimum rate is determined for a given level of molecular oxygen in the intracardiac or pulmonary artery venous blood. The technique is readily employed in both ventricular and atrial-ventricular sequential modes.

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Coon Rapids, MN, United States of America

Gene A Bornzin