Max-Planck-Gesellschaft Zur F&#xf6;rderung Der Wissenschaften E. V.

Cornell University

Stefan Luther

Valentin I Krinski

Eberhard Bodenschatz

Robert Gilmour

Flavio H Fenton

Ulrich Parlitz

Jan Christoph

Niels F Otani

Alexander Schlemmer

Rupinder Singh

Robert F Gilmour, Jr

Thomas Lilienkamp

Sebastian Berg

Flavio Fenton

Valentin Krinski

For characterizing spatial-temporal dynamics of a medium () excitable for deformation, an elastic model of the medium is defined. The medium is imaged at consecutive points in time to obtain a series of images. Shifts of structures of the medium () between the images of the series are determined. A dynamic description of a temporal development of spatial deformations of a predefined elastic model of the medium () is adapted to match the shifts of the structures; and temporal developments of rate of deformation patterns in the medium () are identified from the dynamic description.

Method of and apparatus for characterizing spatial-temporal dynamics of media excitable for deformation

An apparatus for applying at least one electric pulse to a living myocardial tissue comprises an input configured to receive an electric signal representing a present electric activity of the myocardial tissue; a signal processor configured to process the electric signal to calculate a present permutation value of the electric signal in the state space and to only output a control signal when the calculated present entropy value of the electric signal is lower than a predetermined entropy threshold value; a pulse generator configured to generate the at least one electric pulse in response to the control signal; and an output configured to output the at least one electric pulse to the myocardial tissue.

Apparatus for applying electric pulses to living myocardial tissue

High frequency cardiac arrhythmias and fibrillations are terminated by electric field pacing pulses having an order of magnitude less energy than a conventional cardioversion or defibrillation energy. The frequency and number of the pulses are selected based on a frequency analysis of a present high frequency cardiac arrhythmia or fibrillation. The energy of the pulses is selected from 1/400 to &#xbd; of the conventional defibrillation energy, and the amplitude of the electric field pacing pulses are selected such as to activate a multitude of effective pacing sites in the heart tissue per each pacing electrode. The number and locations of the effective pacing sites in the heart tissue are regulated by the amplitude of the electric field pacing pulses, and by an orientation of the electric field of the pulses.

Multisite heart pacing with adjustable number of pacing sites for terminating high frequency cardiac arrhythmias

For terminating a high frequency arrhythmic electric state of a heart an electric signal representative of the present electric state of the heart is obtained. From the electric signal a dominant frequency of the present electric state is determined, and from the dominant frequency it is determined whether the present electric state of the heart is a high frequency arrhythmic electric state displaying at least one rotating wave. Further, a dominance level indicative of how dominant the dominant frequency is in the high frequency arrhythmic electric state is determined from the electric signal. Depending on the at least one dominant frequency, at least one series of electric pulses at intervals is generated. The electric pulses are applied to the heart starting at a point in time at which the dominance level exceeds a predefined threshold value for the heart being in a determined high frequency arrhythmic electric state.

Apparatus for terminating a high frequency arrhythmic electric state of a heart

For terminating a high frequency arrhythmic electric state of a biological tissue an electric signal representative of the present electric state of the biological tissue is obtained. From the electric signal a dominant frequency of the present electric state is determined, and from the dominant frequency it is determined whether the present electric state of the biological tissue is a high frequency arrhythmic electric state. Further, a dominance level indicative of how dominant the dominant frequency is in the high frequency arrhythmic electric state is determined from the electric signal. Depending on the at least one dominant frequency, at least one series of electric pulses at intervals is generated. The electric pulses are applied to the biological tissue starting at a point in time at which the dominance level exceeds a predefined threshold value for the biological tissue being in a determined high frequency arrhythmic electric state.

Apparatus for and method of terminating a high frequency arrhythmic electric state of a biological tissue

One embodiment of these teachings includes an imaging modality that is based on the ability of imaging technologies to detect wave-induced tissue deformation at depth, that allows viewing the propagation of action potentials deep within myocardial tissue, thereby helping to clarify clinical and physiological dynamical issues.

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Goettingen, Germany

Stefan Luther