Cardiac pulse generator

A cardiac pulse generator is a device having a power source and electronic circuitry that produce output stimuli. Functionally, at its simplest, current sourced by the device s battery travels through a connecting pathway to stimulate the heart and then flows back into the pacemaker to complete the circuit. 

This cell was evaluated for use in cardiac pulse generators and exhibited a voltage of 2.75 V and was projected to have an energy density of 0.4 W h cm L" The cathode is a mixture of carbon and tetramethyl-ammonium penta-iodide (Me4Nl5). 

Implantable stimulation systems use an encapsulated pulse generator that is surgically implanted and has subcutaneous leads that terminate at electrodes on or near the desired nerves. In low power consumption applications such as the cardiac pacemaker, a primary battery power source is included in the pulse generator case. When the battery is close to depletion, the pulse generator has to be surgically... 

The conductor of a pacing lead is basically a wire that conducts the electrical current from the pulse generator to the stimulating electrode and the sensed cardiac signals from the electrode to the sensing amplifier of the pulse generator. 

The cardiac pacemaker lead is a relatively fragile cable of insulated conductor wire implanted into the hostile environment of the human body. Its function is to interface the power source and sophisticated electronics of the pulse generator with the heart. The pacemaker lead plays a critical role in delivering both the output pulse from the pulse generator to the myocardium and the intracardiac electrogram from the myocardium to the sensing circuit of the pulse generator. 

Fig. 4.30 A Pacemaker system upgrade using contralateral subclavian vein. The pacemaker pocket is opened and the old pulse generator and lead and dissected free, externalized and disconnected. B A second lead is inserted via the contralateral vein using the percutaneous technique. C The second lead is tunneled back to the initial pocket. The chronic ventricular and new atrial electrodes are connected to the pulse generator. (From Belott PH. Unusual access sites for Permanent Cardiac Pacing. In Barold SS, Mugica J, eds. Recent advances in cardiac pacing Goals for the 21st century. Armonk, NY Futura Publishing, 1997, with permission.)...

Zei PC, Eckart RE, Epstein LM. Modified temporary cardiac pacing using transvenous active fixation leads and external resterihzed pulse generators. J Am Coll Cardiol 2006 47 1487-1489. 

Fig. 8.7 Posterior-anterior and lateral plain film radiograph demonstrating defibrillation patches on the anterior and anterolateral left ventricle accompanied by multiple sensing leads. AH of this is attached to an ICD pulse generator implanted in the abdomen. (From Eager G, Gutierrez FR, Gamache MC. Radiologic appearance of implantable cardiac defibrillators. Am J Radiol 1994 162 25-29.)...

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