Test probe for monitoring action of cardiac electrode - comprises flexible tube carrying X=ray opaque markings introduced via blood vessel and detectable from outside patients body

摘要

The probe is used for determining the characteristics of an electrode which is implanted in a patient's heart as part of a cardiac pacemaker. The detector comprises a flexible tube (1) with a number of markings (3-11) at intervals along it. The markings may be opaque to X-rays, whilst the remainder of the tube is transparent, so that their position may be detected from outside the body. In an alternative arrangement, the markings may be small conductors attached to conducting wires, so that an electrical signal may be applied to them. The tube itself is introduced into the heart through a normal vessel in order to enable the action of the heart to be monitored. To each conducting wire is associated an electrical signal sensor, and that which provides the strongest signal is selected.