Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
189 words
A bipolar electrode insertion apparatus comprising a syringe means capable of injecting a fluid placed therein into the body through an outlet end thereof, a hollow needle, said needle having an inlet end and an outlet end for insertion into the body, a chamber disposed in flow through communication between said syringe outlet end and said needle inlet end, said placed fluid being selectively injectable into said chamber inlet end through said syringe outlet end and therefrom through said needle into the body with said needle inserted in position therein, said chamber further comprising an entrance port for a flexible bipolar electrode means, said bipolar electrode means entrance port being in flow through communication with said needle inlet end for selective insertion of said bipolar electrode means through said chamber entrance port into said needle and therefrom through said needle into the body with said needle inserted in position therein, seal means disposed at said chamber inlet end for selectively isolating said syringe from said chamber, said chamber and needle providing a common conduit into the body for said selectively injectable fluid and said selectively insertable bipolar electrode means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
189 words
A bipolar electrode insertion apparatus comprising a syringe means capable of injecting a fluid placed therein into the body through an outlet end thereof, a hollow needle, said needle having an inlet end and an outlet end for insertion into the body, a chamber disposed in flow through communication between said syringe outlet end and said needle inlet end, said placed fluid being selectively injectable into said chamber inlet end through said syringe outlet end and therefrom through said needle into the body with said needle inserted in position therein, said chamber further comprising an entrance port for a flexible bipolar electrode means, said bipolar electrode means entrance port being in flow through communication with said needle inlet end for selective insertion of said bipolar electrode means through said chamber entrance port into said needle and therefrom through said needle into the body with said needle inserted in position therein, seal means disposed at said chamber inlet end for selectively isolating said syringe from said chamber, said chamber and needle providing a common conduit into the body for said selectively injectable fluid and said selectively insertable bipolar electrode means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
66 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said syringe means comprises means capable of selectively injecting a heart stimulating fluid placed therein through said syringe outlet end, said chamber enabling in situ verification of entry of said needle outlet end into the heart by blood flow thereinto in response to aspiration of said syringe means after insertion of said needle outlet end into the heart.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
62 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 2 wherein said chamber comprises a bifurcated inlet portion with one of the branches thereof comprising said bipolar electrode means entrance port and the other of said branches comprising said chamber inlet end disposed in flow through communication with said syringe outlet end, said other branch facilitating said verification of entry by said blood flow thereinto.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
60 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 3 wherein said flexible bipolar electrode means has a distal end preloaded into said needle and a proximal end extending outwardly through said one branch for enabling said selective insertion of said bipolar electrode means distal end into said heart through said needle outlet end by manipulation of said bipolar electrode means proximal end.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
64 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 4 wherein said flexible bipolar electrode means comprises an inner and an outer electrically conductive element, and an insulating element disposed between said inner and outer electrically conductive elements, said insulating element terminating at a region beyond the distal end of said outer electrically conductive element and short of the distal end of said inner electrically conductive element.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
78 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 5 wherein said outer electrically conductive element distal end terminates at a sufficient longitudinal extent short of said inner electrically conductive element distal end so as to require the heart muscle to be involved in the electrical conduction path between said inner and outer electrically conductive elements, said insulating element distal end extending for said sufficient longitudinal extent, said inner electrically conductive element distal end extending beyond said insulating element distal end.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
39 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 6 wherein said inner electrically conductive element comprises an electrode fabricated of a flexible material, said outer electrically conductive element comprising at least one coil spring fabricated of a flexible and resilient material.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
45 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 7 wherein said bipolar electrode means distal end comprises a flexible bend hook-like portion defined by a short length thereof being disposed in non-alignment with the remaining length thereof when said bipolar electrode means is in its natural configuration.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
35 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 8 wherein said bend portion comprises said insulating element and inner electrically conductive element distal ends, said outer electrically conductive element distal end terminating short of said bend portion.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
52 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 5 wherein at least the portion of said preloaded bipolar electrode means resident in said chamber one branch prior to said selective insertion thereof further comprises an interspace sealing means disposed between said outer electrically conductive element and said insulating element for preventing air leakage therebetween.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 10 wherein said interspace sealing means comprises an adhesive sealant.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 11 wherein said adhesive sealant comprises an epoxy resin.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
49 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 4 wherein said one branch includes a gasket-type seal at one end thereof, said preloaded bipolar electrode means proximal end extending outwardly through said gasket-type seal, said gasket-type seal sealing said one branch from the ambient environment while enabling said selective insertion therethrough.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
52 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 13 wherein at least the portion of said preloaded bipolar electrode means resident in said chamber one branch prior to said selective insertion thereof further comprises an interspace sealing means disposed between said outer electrically conductive element and said insulating element for preventing air leakage therebetween.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
16 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 14 wherein said interspace sealing means comprises an adhesive sealant.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 15 wherein said adhesive sealant comprises an epoxy resin.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
39 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 11 wherein said inner electrically conductive element comprises an electrode fabricated of a flexible material, said outer electrically conductive element comprising at least one coil spring fabricated of a flexible and resilient material.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
68 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said flexible bipolar electrode means comprises an inner and an outer electrically conductive element, and an insulating element disposed between said inner and outer electrically conductive elements, said insulating element having a distal end terminating at a region beyond the distal end of said outer electrically conductive element and short of the distal end of the inner electrically conductive element.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
78 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 18 wherein said outer electrically conductive element distal end terminating at a sufficient longitudinal extent short of said inner electrically conductive element distal end so as to require the heart muscle to be involved in the electrical conduction path between said inner and outer electrically conductive elements, said insulating element distal end extending for said sufficient longitudinal extend, said inner electrically conductive element distal end extending beyond said insulating element distal end.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
39 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 19 wherein said inner electrically conductive element comprises an electrode fabricated of a flexible material, said outer electrically conductive element comprising at least one coil spring fabricated of a flexible and resilient material.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
45 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 20 wherein said bipolar electrode means distal end comprises a flexible bend hook-like portion defined by a short length thereof being disposed in non-alignment with the remaining length thereof when said bipolar electrode means is in its natural configuration.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
35 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 21 wherein said bend portion comprises said insulating element and inner electrically conductive element distal ends, said outer electrically conductive element distal end terminating short of said bend portion.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
59 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said flexible bipolar electrode means has a distal end preloaded into said needle and a proximal end extending outwardly from said chamber for enabling said selective insertion of said bipolar electrode means distal end into the body through said needle outlet end by manipulation of said bipolar electrode means proximal end.