Abstract:
A user controlled combination video game apparatus (102) and exercise system. The system includes video game apparatus for displaying an interactive video game (110) requiring user participation. The interactive video game includes a playing piece. The system also includes hand activity sensor apparatus (114) for providing a signal associated with the independent and unconstrained movement of each of a user's hands for determining at least one aspect of the playing piece within said interactive video game and a playing piece. The system can also include feet activity sensor apparatus (116) for providing a signal associated with an activity executed by the user's feet, and torso activity sensor apparatus (118) for providing a signal associated with an activity executed by the user's torso for determining at least one aspect of the playing piece within the interactive video game.
Abstract:
A method of diagnosing and treating the human or animal body comprises feeding a flexible guide wire (10) along a blood vessel in the human or animal body and epicardially mapping the electrocardiographic signals by means of electrodes (19) secured to the guide wire (10). The method of diagnosing and treating the human or animal body may include the step of ablating selected body tissue by establishing a DC or radio frequency current through the body tissue between a pair of electrodes (19) in which at least one of the electrodes (19) is located on the guide wire (10). The method may also include passing flowable material to or from selected tissue by means of a catheter passed over the guide wire (10). The method may optionally include sensing the velocity of blood flow in the blood vessel or the temperature of selected body tissue by means of a sensor (58) mounted on the guide wire (10).
Abstract:
Systems and methods examine heart tissue morphology using three or more spaced apart electrodes (38), at least two of which are located within the heart (12) in contact with endocardial tissue. The systems and methods transmit electrical current through a region of heart tissue lying between selected pairs of the electrodes (38), at least one of the electrodes (38) in each pair being located within the heart (12). The systems and methods derive the electrical characteristic of tissue lying between the electrode (38) pairs based, at least in part, upon sensing tissue impedances. The systems and methods make possible the use of multiple endocardial electrodes (38) for making multiple measurements of the electrical characteristics of heart tissue. Multiplexing can be used to facilitate date processing. The systems and methods almost make possible the identification of regions of low relative electrical characteristics, indicative of infarcted tissue, without invasive surgical techniques.
Abstract:
An apparatus (22) for mapping the wall of a chamber of the heart. The apparatus (22) includes a flexible elongate tubular member (23) having proximal and distal extremities (27, 28) and at least one lumen (31) extending therethrough. A plurality of longitudinally and radially spaced-apart electrodes (42, 43) are provided. An expandable device (32) is carried by the distal extremity (28) of the flexible elongate tubular member (23) and is movable between a contracted position and an expanded position. The electrodes (42, 43) are mounted on the expandable device (32) so that when the expandable device (32) is moved to its expanded position in the chamber of the heart the electrodes (42, 43) are moved into engagement with the wall forming the chamber of the heart. Leads (53, 54) for conducting electrical energy are in contact with the electrodes (42, 43) and extend into the flexible elongate tubular member (23). An electrical apparatus is connected to the leads (53, 54) for performing electrical functions with respect to the electrodes (42, 43) and includes at least one semiconductor device (111) carried by the distal extremity (28) of the flexible elongate tubular member (23) in close proximity to the expandable device (32).
Abstract:
An improved, steerable electrophysiology catheter (110) featuring an elongated wound wire coil (72) extending through the catheter body. The coil is constructed to enable the catheter body to withstand reactive compressive load without distorsion during application of tension on a pull wire (54) extending through the catheter body and to transmit torque from the proximal end of the catheter body to the distal tip thereof to enhance fidelity of rotational positioning of the distal tip in response to rotational orientation of the proximal end of the catheter. The coil is in frictional torque-transmitting relationship with the interior of the catheter body substantially along the common length of the catheter body when it is bent. The catheter may be equipped with augmented throw for one-handed operation.
Abstract:
A system and method are provided for diagnosis, therapy and/or prevention of a plurality of diseases. The method is based on an assessment of data reflecting the level of inner bioenergy produced by a human body. The system performs a multichannel data acquision, processes the data, generates a diagnosis and provides a prescription for the therapy. The system exists in several embodiments and generally includes a set of diagnostic and therapy electrodes (2, 3), an input demultiplexer (4), an analog-to-digital converter (5), an output demultiplexer (6), a computer (17), power and control units (12) and a portable data acquisition unit (27).
Abstract:
An apparatus (51) for mapping the wall of a chamber of the heart having blood therein. The apparatus (51) includes a flexible elongate tubular member (52) having proximal and distal extremities (53, 56) and at least one lumen (57) extending therethrough. A basked assembly (66) is carried by the distal extremity (56) of the flexible elongate tubular member (52) and is movable between contracted and expanded positions. The basked assembly (66) has a plurality of elongate flexible circumferentially spaced-apart arms (67) with proximal and distal extremities (68, 71). A plurality of lontitudinally spaced-apart electrodes (72) are carried by each arm (67) for engaging the wall of the heart. Spacing members (116) coupled to the arms (67) and extending between the arms (67) are provided for establishing a desired substantially uniform circumferential spacing between the arms (67) when the basked assembly (66) is in expanded position in engagement with the wall of the heart. Openings are provided between the arms (67) and the spacing members (116) through which blood can flow.
Abstract:
A removable medical electrode system for monitoring electrical activity of selected tissue comprises a flexible member (22) of electrically insulating material shaped to conform to a surface of the tissue (20). It includes a mechanism (32, 34) for articulating the electrode (10) between an expanded and contracted position to place and remove the electrode (10) on the tissue (20), and to hold the electrode (10) in place during an operation. An electrical conductor (42) is fixed to the electrode (10) to carry electrical impulse signals from the nerve tissue (20) to a monitoring system.
Abstract:
A probe for cardiac diagnosis and/or treatment carries multiple electrodes (26). The catheter (16) has a multiple layer guide body (24) that carries within a relatively small diameter the many electrical conduction wires (38) typically associated with the multiple electrodes (26). The electrical conduction wires (38) are arranged in two or more discrete, electrically insulated layers overlying the guide body (24).
Abstract:
A steerable first catheter (14) directs the introduction of a guide sheath (16), which can otherwise be free of any onboard steering mechanism. The guide sheath (16), in turn, directs the introduction of an electrode carrying second catheter (18), which can likewise be free of any onboard steering mechanism. Use of a guide sheath positioned by a separate, dedicated steering catheter to guide a separate, dedicated steering electrode carrying catheter results in a significant reduction in the overall size of the system components.