The present application describes an intravascular implantable pacing and/or defibrillation system. The described system includes a pulse generator that is implantable within a blood vessel and proportioned to blood flow through the blood vessel, and at least one electrode attachable to the pulse generator. During implantation, the pulse generator is introduced into a patient's vasculature, advanced to a desired vessel and anchored in place within the vessel. The electrode or electrodes are placed within the heart or surrounding vessels as needed to deliver electrical pulses to the appropriate location.

Intravascular electrophysiological system and methods

A capacitor-discharge implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) has a relatively longer device life of greater that 5 years. The longer life of the ICD is achieved by selecting and arranging the internal components of the ICD to deliver a maximum defibrillation countershock optimized in terms of a minimum physiologically effective current (I pe ), rather than a minimum defibrillation threshold energy (DFT). As a result of the optimization in terms of a minimum effective current I pe , there is a significant decrease in the maximum electrical charge energy (E c ) that must be stored by the capacitor of the ICD to less than about 30 Joules, even though a higher safety margin is provided for by the device. Due to this decrease in the maximum E c , as well as corollary decreases in the effective capacitance value required for the capacitor and the net energy storage required of the battery, the overall displacement volume of the ICD is reduced to the point where subcutaneous implantation of the device in the pectoral region of human patients is practical. The size of the capacitor is reduced because the effective capacitance required can be less than about 125 μF. By optimizing both the charging time and the countershock duration for the smaller maximum E c , the size of the battery is reduced because the total energy storage capacity can be less than about 1.0 Amp-hours. In the preferred embodiment, the charging time for each defibrillation countershock is reduced to less than about 10 seconds and the pulse duration of the countershock is reduced to less than about 6 milliseconds.

Implantable cardioverter defibrillator having a smaller displacement volume

A capacitor-discharge implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) has a relatively smaller mass of less than about 120 grams. The smaller mass of the ICD is achieved by selecting and arranging the internal components of the ICD to deliver a maximum defibrillation countershock optimized in terms of a minimum physiologically effective current (Ipe), rather than a minimum defibrillation threshold energy (DFT). As a result of the optimization in terms of a minimum effective current Ipe, there is a significant decrease in the maximum electrical charge energy (Ec) that must be stored by the capacitor of the ICD to less than about 30 Joules, even though a higher safety margin is provided for by the device. Due to this decrease in the maximum Ec, as well as corollary decreases in the effective capacitance value required for the capacitor and the net energy storage required of the battery, the overall displacement volume of the ICD is reduced to the point where subcutaneous implantation of the device in the pectoral region of human patients is practical. The size of the capacitor is reduced because the effective capacitance required can be less than about 125 μF. By optimizing both the charging time and the countershock duration for the smaller maximum Ec, the size of the battery is reduced because the total energy storage capacity can be less than about 1.0 Amp-hours. In the preferred embodiment, the charging time for each defibrillation countershock is reduced to less than about 10 seconds and the pulse duration of the countershock is reduced to less than about 6 milliseconds.

Implantable cardioverter defibrillator having a smaller mass

The present application describes an intravascular implantable pacing and/or defibrillation system. The described system includes a pulse generator that is implantable within a blood vessel and proportioned to blood flow through the blood vessel, and at least one lead attachable to the pulse generator. During implantation, the pulse generator is introduced into a patient's vasculature, advanced to a desired vessel and anchored in place within the vessel. The lead or leads are placed within the heart or surrounding vessels as needed to deliver electrical pulses to the appropriate location.

Implantable intravascular device for defibrillation and/or pacing

The present invention relates to a network communication system and method to enable the real time buying and selling of electricity generated by fuel cell powered vehicles between a fuel cell powered vehicle and a consumer. The method comprises: providing connections to the vehicle for the supply of a fuel and for transfer of electricity; determining the current cost of fuel and price paid for generating electricity; based at least on the cost of fuel and price paid for generating electricity, determining whether to make the fuel cell powered vehicle available for generation of electricity; when fuel is consumed by the vehicle and electricity generated by the vehicle, collecting data on the quantity of fuel consumed and amount of electricity generated, calculating the cost of the fuel and the value of the electricity generated, providing a debit charge for the cost of fuel consumed and a credit charge for the value of electricity generated. A method to enable the real time buying and selling of electricity generated by fuel cell powered vehicles between an energy service provider and a consumer of electricity is also disclosed.

System and method for enabling the real time buying and selling of electricity generated by fuel cell powered vehicles

A fuel cell/battery hybrid power system is disclosed which as a microprocessor based control system. The control system enables the fuel cell to be taken out of the system by a switch when its predetermined maximum desired energy output is about to be exceeded by load requirements. The batteries are protected from overdischarge through a switch and the surge battery is selected by the battery having the highest level of charge at any given time.

Fuel cell/battery hybrid system having battery charge-level control

A fuel cell/battery hybrid power system is disclosed which has a microprocessor based control system. The control system enables the fuel cell to be taken out of the system by a switch when its predetermined maximum desired energy output is about to be exceeded by load requirements. The battery is protected from overcharging by a switch which is activated responsive to the sensing of state of charge, load current and fuel cell current.

Fuel cell/battery control system

A method for controlling the air-to-fuel ratio fed to an engine or other combustion device provides for periodically adjusting the air-to-fuel ratio to stoichiometric or near stoichiometric, within the response range of the conventional exhaust gas sensor employed. This establishes a reference point from which the setting of an air-to-fuel ratio proportioning device (e.g., carburetor) is established by moving its adjustment means a selected distance from its setting at the reference point. The selected value may be outside the normal response range of the sensor, either rich or lean of stoichiometric. The apparatus may include a sensor which generates an output signal which is compared against a reference signal by a comparator. When the output signal exceeds (or falls below) the reference signal, a timer to operate the proportioning device adjustment means in the desired direction for a stated interval of time is actuated. A separate timer operates the adjustment means towards stoichiometric at selected intervals to periodically establish the reference point.

Jack Early

Papers

Fuel cell/battery hybrid system having battery charge-level control

Fuel cell/battery control system

Method and means for controlling air-to-fuel ratio

Système hybride pile à combustible/batterie à contrôle du niveau de charge de la batterie

Hybrides System "Brennstoffzelle/Batterie" mit Kontrolle der Batterieladungshöhe