What is claimed is:
1. A method of affecting ignition cackle occurring in at least one combustion chamber of a diesel engine having a plurality of combustion chambers, the non-cackling combustion chambers having a standard fuel injector associated with each of such combustion chambers comprising the steps of:
(a) identifying the combustion chamber experiencing the ignition cackle; and
(b) increasing the pilot volume of fuel, the fuel in the increased volume for being provided to a fuel injector associated with the identified combustion chamber.
2. The method of claim 1 including increasing the pilot volume of fuel provided sufficiently to ensure that a volume of fuel injected during a pilot portion of an injection event is sufficient to support combustion during the pilot portion of the injection event.
3. The method of claim 2 including delaying the spilling of fuel from an injector chamber after initiation of the injection event.
4. The method of claim 3 including providing a relatively long lead for the fuel injector.
5. The method of claim 1 including altering the geometry of a standard injector plunger and barrel, the plunger being translatably disposed in the barrel, the barrel being defined in the injector, the alteration effecting the increased pilot quantity of fuel provided to the fuel injector associated with the identified combustion chamber.
6. The method of claim 5 including defining a circumferential groove on the plunger at a relatively greater distance from a plunger head than a corresponding groove on the plunger of the standard fuel injector, the groove being selectively intersectable with a spill port defined in the barrel.
7. The method of claim 5 including displacing a point of intersection of a spill port with the barrel a greater distance from a plunger head than a corresponding distance in the standard fuel injector.
8. The method of claim 4 including providing a lead for the fuel injector that is greater than 0.4 mm.
9. The method of claim 8 including providing a lead for the fuel injector that is about 0.45 mm.
10. A fuel system for a diesel engine having a plurality of combustion chambers, the engine having ignition cackle occurring in at least one combustion chamber, comprising:
(a) a standard fuel injector being associated with each of the non-cackling combustion chambers; and
(b) a non-standard fuel injector being associated with each of the cackling combustion chambers, each of the non-standard fuel injectors having an increased pilot volume of fuel, the fuel in the increased volume for injection into the associated combustion chamber during a pilot portion of an injection event.
11. The fuel system of claim 10 including increasing the volume of pilot fuel available in the non-standard injector sufficiently to ensure that a quantity injected during a pilot portion of an injection event supports combustion during the pilot portion of the injection event.
12. The fuel system of claim 11 wherein the non-standard fuel injector includes an injector chamber, the spilling of fuel from the injector chamber being relatively delayed after initiation of the injection event as compared to a spilling of fuel that occurs in a standard injector.
13. The fuel system of claim 12 wherein the non-standard fuel injector has a relatively long lead.
14. The fuel system of claim 10 wherein the geometry of a plunger and a barrel disposed in the non-standard fuel injector, the plunger being translatably disposed in the barrel, is altered to effectively increase an injector chamber volume, thereby effecting the increased pilot quantity of fuel provided by the non-standard fuel injector for injection into the associated combustion chamber
15. The fuel system of claim 14 including a circumferential groove being defined on the plunger at a relatively greater distance from a plunger head than a corresponding groove on the plunger of a standard fuel injector, the groove being selectively intersectable with a spill port defined in the barrel.
16. The fuel system of claim 14 wherein a point of intersection of a spill port with the barrel is displaced a greater distance from a plunger head than a corresponding distance in a standard fuel injector.
17. The fuel system of claim 13 wherein a lead for the non-standard fuel injector is greater than 0.4 mm.
18. The fuel system of claim 17 wherein the lead for the non-standard fuel injector is about 0.45 mm.
19. A non-standard fuel injector for use in a fuel system for a diesel engine, the diesel engine having a plurality of combustion chambers, a standard fuel injector being associated with each of at least some of the plurality of combustion chambers, the engine having ignition cackle occurring in at least one combustion chamber comprising:
(a) the non-standard fuel injector being associated with each of the cackling combustion chambers, each of the non-standard fuel injectors having an increased pilot volume for fuel as compared to a pilot volume of fuel of a standard fuel injector, the increased pilot volume for containing a quantity of fuel for injection into the associated combustion chamber.
21. The non-standard fuel injector of claim 19 including increasing the quantity of pilot fuel provided by the non-standard injector sufficiently to ensure that a quantity of fuel injected during a pilot portion of an injection event supports combustion during the pilot portion of the injection event.
22. The non-standard fuel injector of claim 20 wherein the non-standard fuel injector includes an injector chamber, the spilling of fuel from the injector chamber being relatively delayed after initiation of the injection event as compared to a spilling that occurs in a standard injector.
23. The non-standard fuel injector of claim 21 wherein the non-standard fuel injector has a relatively long lead.
24. The non-standard fuel injector of claim 19 including a plunger and a barrel, the plunger being translatably disposed in the barrel, the geometry of the plunger and barrel being altered relative to the corresponding geometry of a standard fuel injector to effectively increase an injector chamber volume, thereby effecting the increased pilot quantity of fuel provided by the non-standard fuel injector for injection into the associated combustion chamber
25. The non-standard fuel injector of claim 23 including a circumferential groove being defined on the plunger at a relatively greater distance from a plunger head than a corresponding groove on the plunger of a standard fuel injector, the groove being selectively intersectable with a spill port defined in the barrel.
26. The non-standard fuel injector of claim 23 wherein a point of intersection of a spill port with the barrel is displaced a greater distance from a plunger head than a corresponding distance in a standard fuel injector.
27. The non-standard fuel injector of claim 22 wherein a lead for the non-standard fuel injector is greater than 0.4 mm.
28. The non-standard fuel injector of claim 26 wherein the lead for the non-standard fuel injector is about 0.45 mm.
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.
1. A method of performing a medical procedure, comprising:
positioning a first stimulation electrode in a first position to stimulate a first portion of cardiac tissue, wherein the first stimulation electrode is positioned through a percutaneous incision;
positioning a second stimulation electrode in a second position to stimulate a second portion of cardiac tissue;
positioning a third stimulation electrode in a third position to stimulate a nerve;
providing stimulation energy to the first stimulation electrode to stimulate the first portion of cardiac tissue to contract;
providing stimulation energy to the second stimulation electrode to stimulate the second portion of cardiac tissue to contract in synchrony with the first portion of cardiac tissue; and
providing stimulation energy to the third stimulation electrode to stimulate the nerve.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of providing stimulation energy to the third stimulation electrode is coordinated with steps of providing stimulation energy to the first and second stimulation electrodes.
3. The method of claim 2 further comprising stimulating the nerve while stimulating the first and second portions of cardiac tissue.
4. The method of claim 1 wherein the first portion of cardiac tissue is at least a portion of a heart chamber.
5. The method of claim 4 wherein the heart chamber is a ventricle.
6. The method of claim 4 wherein the heart chamber is an atrium.
7. The method of claim 1 wherein the percutaneous incision is made in a torso of a patient.
8. The method of claim 1 wherein the percutaneous incision is made in a leg of a patient.
9. The method of claim 1 wherein the percutaneous incision is made in an arm of a patient.
10. The method of claim 1 wherein the percutaneous incision is made in a neck of a patient.
11. The method of claim 1 wherein the first position is an endocardial position.
12. The method of claim 1 wherein the third position is a subcutaneous position.
13. The method of claim 1 wherein a cardiac stimulator provides the stimulation energy to the first and second stimulation electrodes.
14. The method of claim 13 wherein the cardiac stimulator is an implantable cardiac stimulator.
15. The method of claim 1 wherein a nerve stimulator provides the stimulation energy to the third stimulation electrode.
16. The method of claim 15 wherein the nerve stimulator is an implantable nerve stimulator.
17. The method of claim 1 further comprising a sensor to detect a cardiac event.
18. The method of claim 17 wherein a cardiac stimulator in communication with the sensor provides the stimulation energy to the first and second stimulation electrodes.
19. A method of performing a medical procedure, comprising:
positioning a first stimulation electrode in a first position to stimulate a first portion of cardiac tissue;
positioning a second stimulation electrode in a second position to stimulate a second portion of cardiac tissue;
positioning a third stimulation electrode in a third position to stimulate a nerve;
providing stimulation energy to the first stimulation electrode to stimulate the first portion of cardiac tissue to contract;
providing stimulation energy to the second stimulation electrode to stimulate the second portion of cardiac tissue to contract in synchrony with the first portion of cardiac tissue; and
providing stimulation energy to the third stimulation electrode to stimulate the nerve, wherein the step of providing stimulation energy to the third stimulation electrode is coordinated with steps of providing stimulation energy to the first and second stimulation electrodes, and wherein the nerve is stimulated while stopping stimulation of the first and second portions of cardiac tissue.
20. A method of performing a medical procedure, comprising:
positioning a first stimulation electrode in a first position to stimulate a first portion of cardiac tissue;
positioning a second stimulation electrode in a second position to stimulate a second portion of cardiac tissue;
positioning a third stimulation electrode in a third position to stimulate a nerve;
providing stimulation energy to the first stimulation electrode to stimulate the first portion of cardiac tissue to contract;
providing stimulation energy to the second stimulation electrode to stimulate the second portion of cardiac tissue to contract in synchrony with the first portion of cardiac tissue; and
providing stimulation energy to the third stimulation electrode to stimulate the nerve, wherein the step of providing stimulation energy to the third stimulation electrode is coordinated with steps of providing stimulation energy to the first and second stimulation electrodes, and wherein the first and second portions of cardiac tissue are stimulated while stopping stimulation of the nerve.
21. The method of claim 20 wherein the nerve is a vagal nerve.
22. A method of performing a medical procedure, comprising:
positioning a first stimulation electrode in a first position to stimulate a first portion of cardiac tissue;
positioning a second stimulation electrode in a second position to stimulate a second portion of cardiac tissue;
positioning a third stimulation electrode in a third position to stimulate a nerve;
providing stimulation energy to the first stimulation electrode to stimulate the first portion of cardiac tissue to contract;
providing stimulation energy to the second stimulation electrode to stimulate the second portion of cardiac tissue to contract in synchrony with the first portion of cardiac tissue;
providing stimulation energy to the third stimulation electrode to stimulate the nerve; and
delivering at least one drug during the medical procedure.
23. A method of performing a medical procedure, comprising:
positioning a first stimulation electrode in a first position to stimulate a first portion of cardiac tissue, wherein the first stimulation electrode is positioned through a thoracotomy;
positioning a second stimulation electrode in a second position to stimulate a second portion of cardiac tissue;
positioning a third stimulation electrode in a third position to stimulate a nerve;
providing stimulation energy to the first stimulation electrode to stimulate the first portion of cardiac tissue to contract;
providing stimulation energy to the second stimulation electrode to stimulate the second portion of cardiac tissue to contract in synchrony with the first portion of cardiac tissue; and
providing stimulation energy to the third stimulation electrode to stimulate the nerve.
24. A method of performing a medical procedure, comprising:
positioning a first stimulation electrode in a first position to stimulate a first portion of cardiac tissue, wherein the first stimulation electrode is positioned through a sternotomy;
positioning a second stimulation electrode in a second position to stimulate a second portion of cardiac tissue;
positioning a third stimulation electrode in a third position to stimulate a nerve;
providing stimulation energy to the first stimulation electrode to stimulate the first portion of cardiac tissue to contract;
providing stimulation energy to the second stimulation electrode to stimulate the second portion of cardiac tissue to contract in synchrony with the first portion of cardiac tissue; and
providing stimulation energy to the third stimulation electrode to stimulate the nerve.
25. A method of performing a medical procedure, comprising:
positioning a first stimulation electrode in a first position to stimulate a first portion of cardiac tissue, wherein the first position is an epicardial position;
positioning a second stimulation electrode in a second position to stimulate a second portion of cardiac tissue;
positioning a third stimulation electrode in a third position to stimulate a nerve;
providing stimulation energy to the first stimulation electrode to stimulate the first portion of cardiac tissue to contract;
providing stimulation energy to the second stimulation electrode to stimulate the second portion of cardiac tissue to contract in synchrony with the first portion of cardiac tissue; and
providing stimulation energy to the third stimulation electrode to stimulate the nerve.
26. A method of performing a medical procedure, comprising:
positioning a first stimulation electrode in a first position to stimulate a first portion of cardiac tissue, wherein the first position is a myocardial position;
positioning a second stimulation electrode in a second position to stimulate a second portion of cardiac tissue;
positioning a third stimulation electrode in a third position to stimulate a nerve;
providing stimulation energy to the first stimulation electrode to stimulate the first portion of cardiac tissue to contract;
providing stimulation energy to the second stimulation electrode to stimulate the second portion of cardiac tissue to contract in synchrony with the first portion of cardiac tissue; and
providing stimulation energy to the third stimulation electrode to stimulate the nerve.
27. A method of performing a medical procedure, comprising:
positioning a first stimulation electrode in a first position to stimulate a first portion of cardiac tissue, wherein the first position is a venous position;
positioning a second stimulation electrode in a second position to stimulate a second portion of cardiac tissue;
positioning a third stimulation electrode in a third position to stimulate a nerve;
providing stimulation energy to the first stimulation electrode to stimulate the first portion of cardiac tissue to contract;
providing stimulation energy to the second stimulation electrode to stimulate the second portion of cardiac tissue to contract in synchrony with the first portion of cardiac tissue; and
providing stimulation energy to the third stimulation electrode to stimulate the nerve.
28. A method of performing a medical procedure, comprising:
positioning a first stimulation electrode in a first position to stimulate a first portion of cardiac tissue, wherein the first position is an arterial position;
positioning a second stimulation electrode in a second position to stimulate a second portion of cardiac tissue;
positioning a third stimulation electrode in a third position to stimulate a nerve;
providing stimulation energy to the first stimulation electrode to stimulate the first portion of cardiac tissue to contract;
providing stimulation energy to the second stimulation electrode to stimulate the second portion of cardiac tissue to contract in synchrony with the first portion of cardiac tissue; and
providing stimulation energy to the third stimulation electrode to stimulate the nerve.
29. A method of performing a medical procedure, comprising:
positioning a first stimulation electrode in a first position to stimulate a first portion of cardiac tissue;
positioning a second stimulation electrode in a second position to stimulate a second portion of cardiac tissue, wherein the second stimulation electrode is positioned through a thoracotomy;
positioning a third stimulation electrode in a third position to stimulate a nerve;
providing stimulation energy to the first stimulation electrode to stimulate the first portion of cardiac tissue to contract;
providing stimulation energy to the second stimulation electrode to stimulate the second portion of cardiac tissue to contract in synchrony with the first portion of cardiac tissue; and
providing stimulation energy to the third stimulation electrode to stimulate the nerve.
30. A method of performing a medical procedure, comprising:
positioning a first stimulation electrode in a first position to stimulate a first portion of cardiac tissue;
positioning a second stimulation electrode in a second position to stimulate a second portion of cardiac tissue, wherein the second stimulation electrode is positioned through a sternotomy;
positioning a third stimulation electrode in a third position to stimulate a nerve;
providing stimulation energy to the first stimulation electrode to stimulate the first portion of cardiac tissue to contract;
providing stimulation energy to the second stimulation electrode to stimulate the second portion of cardiac tissue to contract in synchrony with the first portion of cardiac tissue; and
providing stimulation energy to the third stimulation electrode to stimulate the nerve.
31. A method of performing a medical procedure, comprising:
positioning a first stimulation electrode in a first position to stimulate a first portion of cardiac tissue;
positioning a second stimulation electrode in a second position to stimulate a second portion of cardiac tissue, wherein the second stimulation electrode is positioned through a percutaneous incision;
positioning a third stimulation electrode in a third position to stimulate a nerve; providing stimulation energy to the first stimulation electrode to stimulate the first portion of cardiac tissue to contract;
providing stimulation energy to the second stimulation electrode to stimulate the second portion of cardiac tissue to contract in synchrony with the first portion of cardiac tissue; and
providing stimulation energy to the third stimulation electrode to stimulate the nerve.
32. The method of claim 31 wherein the second portion of cardiac tissue is at least a portion of a heart chamber.
33. The method of claim 32 wherein the heart chamber is a ventricle.
34. The method of claim 32 wherein the heart chamber is an atrium.
35. The method of claim 31 wherein the percutaneous incision is made in a torso of a patient.
36. The method of claim 31 wherein the percutaneous incision is made in a leg of a patient.
37. The method of claim 31 wherein the percutaneous incision is made in an arm of a patient.
38. The method of claim 31 wherein the percutaneous incision is made in a neck of a patient.
39. The method of claim 31 wherein the second position is an endocardial position.
40. A method of performing a medical procedure, comprising:
positioning a first stimulation electrode in a first position to stimulate a first portion of cardiac tissue;
positioning a second stimulation electrode in a second position to stimulate a second portion of cardiac tissue, wherein the second position is an epicardial position;
positioning a third stimulation electrode in a third position to stimulate a nerve;
providing stimulation energy to the first stimulation electrode to stimulate the first portion of cardiac tissue to contract;
providing stimulation energy to the second stimulation electrode to stimulate the second portion of cardiac tissue to contract in synchrony with the first portion of cardiac tissue; and
providing stimulation energy to the third stimulation electrode to stimulate the nerve.
41. A method of performing a medical procedure, comprising:
positioning a first stimulation electrode in a first position to stimulate a first portion of cardiac tissue;
positioning a second stimulation electrode in a second position to stimulate a second portion of cardiac tissue, wherein the second position is a myocardial position;
positioning a third stimulation electrode in a third position to stimulate a nerve;
providing stimulation energy to the first stimulation electrode to stimulate the first portion of cardiac tissue to contract;
providing stimulation energy to the second stimulation electrode to stimulate the second portion of cardiac tissue to contract in synchrony with the first portion of cardiac tissue; and
providing stimulation energy to the third stimulation electrode to stimulate the nerve.
42. A method of performing a medical procedure, comprising:
positioning a first stimulation electrode in a first position to stimulate a first portion of cardiac tissue;
positioning a second stimulation electrode in a second position to stimulate a second portion of cardiac tissue, wherein the second position is a venous position;
positioning a third stimulation electrode in a third position to stimulate a nerve;
providing stimulation energy to the first stimulation electrode to stimulate the first portion of cardiac tissue to contract;
providing stimulation energy to the second stimulation electrode to stimulate the second portion of cardiac tissue to contract in synchrony with the first portion of cardiac tissue; and
providing stimulation energy to the third stimulation electrode to stimulate the nerve.
43. A method of performing a medical procedure, comprising:
positioning a first stimulation electrode in a first position to stimulate a first portion of cardiac tissue;
positioning a second stimulation electrode in a second position to stimulate a second portion of cardiac tissue, wherein the second position is an arterial position;
positioning a third stimulation electrode in a third position to stimulate a nerve;
providing stimulation energy to the first stimulation electrode to stimulate the first portion of cardiac tissue to contract;
providing stimulation energy to the second stimulation electrode to stimulate the second portion of cardiac tissue to contract in synchrony with the first portion of cardiac tissue; and
providing stimulation energy to the third stimulation electrode to stimulate the nerve.
44. A method of performing a medical procedure, comprising:
positioning a first stimulation electrode in a first position to stimulate a first portion of cardiac tissue;
positioning a second stimulation electrode in a second position to stimulate a second portion of cardiac tissue;
positioning a third stimulation electrode in a third position to stimulate a nerve, wherein the third stimulation electrode is positioned through a thoracotomy;
providing stimulation energy to the first stimulation electrode to stimulate the first portion of cardiac tissue to contract;
providing stimulation energy to the second stimulation electrode to stimulate the second portion of cardiac tissue to contract in synchrony with the first portion of cardiac tissue; and
providing stimulation energy to the third stimulation electrode to stimulate the nerve.
45. A method of performing a medical procedure, comprising:
positioning a first stimulation electrode in a first position to stimulate a first portion of cardiac tissue;
positioning a second stimulation electrode in a second position to stimulate a second portion of cardiac tissue;
positioning a third stimulation electrode in a third position to stimulate a nerve, wherein the third stimulation electrode is positioned through a sternotomy;
providing stimulation energy to the first stimulation electrode to stimulate the first portion of cardiac tissue to contract;
providing stimulation energy to the second stimulation electrode to stimulate the second portion of cardiac tissue to contract in synchrony with the first portion of cardiac tissue; and
providing stimulation energy to the third stimulation electrode to stimulate the nerve.
46. A method of performing a medical procedure, comprising:
positioning a first stimulation electrode in a first position to stimulate a first portion of cardiac tissue;
positioning a second stimulation electrode in a second position to stimulate a second portion of cardiac tissue;
positioning a third stimulation electrode in a third position to stimulate a nerve, wherein the third stimulation electrode is positioned through a percutaneous incision;
providing stimulation energy to the first stimulation electrode to stimulate the first portion of cardiac tissue to contract;
providing stimulation energy to the second stimulation electrode to stimulate the second portion of cardiac tissue to contract in synchrony with the first portion of cardiac tissue; and
providing stimulation energy to the third stimulation electrode to stimulate the nerve.
47. The method of claim 46 wherein the percutaneous incision is made in a torso of a patient.
48. The method of claim 46 wherein the percutaneous incision is made in a leg of a patient.
49. The method of claim 46 wherein the percutaneous incision is made in an arm of a patient.
50. The method of claim 46 wherein the percutaneous incision is made in a neck of a patient.
51. A method of performing a medical procedure, comprising:
positioning a first stimulation electrode in a first position to stimulate a first portion of cardiac tissue;
positioning a second stimulation electrode in a second position to stimulate a second portion of cardiac tissue;
positioning a third stimulation electrode in a third position to stimulate a nerve, wherein the third position is a venous position;
providing stimulation energy to the first stimulation electrode to stimulate the first portion of cardiac tissue to contract;
providing stimulation energy to the second stimulation electrode to stimulate the second portion of cardiac tissue to contract in synchrony with the first portion of cardiac tissue; and
providing stimulation energy to the third stimulation electrode to stimulate the nerve.
52. 1he A method of performing a medical procedure, comprising:
positioning a first stimulation electrode in a first position to stimulate a first portion of cardiac tissue;
positioning a second stimulation electrode in a second position to stimulate a second portion of cardiac tissue;
positioning a third stimulation electrode in a third position to stimulate a nerve, wherein the third position is an arterial position;
providing stimulation energy to the first stimulation electrode to stimulate the first portion of cardiac tissue to contract;
providing stimulation energy to the second stimulation electrode to stimulate the second portion of cardiac tissue to contract in synchrony with the first portion of cardiac tissue; and
providing stimulation energy to the third stimulation electrode to stimulate the nerve.
53. A method of performing a medical procedure, comprising:
positioning a first stimulation electrode in a first position to stimulate a first portion of cardiac tissue;
positioning a second stimulation electrode in a second position to stimulate a second portion of cardiac tissue;
positioning a third stimulation electrode in a third position to stimulate a nerve, wherein the third position is an esophageal position;
providing stimulation energy to the first stimulation electrode to stimulate the first portion of cardiac tissue to contract;
providing stimulation energy to the second stimulation electrode to stimulate the second portion of cardiac tissue to contract in synchrony with the first portion of cardiac tissue; and
providing stimulation energy to the third stimulation electrode to stimulate the nerve.
54. The A method of performing a medical procedure, comprising:
positioning a first stimulation electrode in a first position to stimulate a first portion of cardiac tissue;
positioning a second stimulation electrode in a second position to stimulate a second portion of cardiac tissue;
positioning a third stimulation electrode in a third position to stimulate a nerve, wherein the third position is a tracheal position;
providing stimulation energy to the first stimulation electrode to stimulate the first portion of cardiac tissue to contract;
providing stimulation energy to the second stimulation electrode to stimulate the second portion of cardiac tissue to contract in synchrony with the first portion of cardiac tissue; and
providing stimulation energy to the third stimulation electrode to stimulate the nerve.
55. A method of performing a medical procedure, comprising:
positioning a first stimulation electrode in a first position to stimulate a first portion of cardiac tissue;
positioning a second stimulation electrode in a second position to stimulate a second portion of cardiac tissue;
positioning a third stimulation electrode in a third position to stimulate a nerve, wherein the third position is a cutaneous position;
providing stimulation energy to the first stimulation electrode to stimulate the first portion of cardiac tissue to contract;
providing stimulation energy to the second stimulation electrode to stimulate the second portion of cardiac tissue to contract in synchrony with the first portion of cardiac tissue; and
providing stimulation energy to the third stimulation electrode to stimulate the nerve.
56. A method of performing a medical procedure, comprising:
positioning a first stimulation electrode in a first position to stimulate a first portion of cardiac tissue;
positioning a second stimulation electrode in a second position to stimulate a second portion of cardiac tissue;
positioning a third stimulation electrode in a third position to stimulate a nerve;
providing stimulation energy to the first stimulation electrode to stimulate the first portion of cardiac tissue to contract;
providing stimulation energy to the second stimulation electrode to stimulate the second portion of cardiac tissue to contract in synchrony with the first portion of cardiac tissue, wherein a cardiac stimulator provides the stimulation energy to the first and second stimulation electrodes and wherein the cardiac stimulator is an external cardiac stimulator; and
providing stimulation energy to the third stimulation electrode to stimulate the nerve.
57. A method of performing a medical procedure, comprising:
positioning a first stimulation electrode in a first position to stimulate a first portion of cardiac tissue;
positioning a second stimulation electrode in a second position to stimulate a second portion of cardiac tissue;
positioning a third stimulation electrode in a third position to stimulate a nerve;
providing stimulation energy to the first stimulation electrode to stimulate the first portion of cardiac tissue to contract;
providing stimulation energy to the second stimulation electrode to stimulate the second portion of cardiac tissue to contract in synchrony with the first portion of cardiac tissue; and
providing stimulation energy to the third stimulation electrode to stimulate the nerve, wherein a nerve stimulator provides the stimulation energy to the third stimulation electrode and wherein the nerve stimulator is an external nerve stimulator.
58. A method of performing a medical procedure, comprising:
positioning a first stimulation electrode in a first position to stimulate a first portion of cardiac tissue;
positioning a second stimulation electrode in a second position to stimulate a second portion of cardiac tissue;
positioning a third stimulation electrode in a third position to stimulate a nerve;
providing stimulation energy to the first stimulation electrode to stimulate the first portion of cardiac tissue to contract;
providing stimulation energy to the second stimulation electrode to stimulate the second portion of cardiac tissue to contract in synchrony with the first portion of cardiac tissue;
providing stimulation energy to the third stimulation electrode to stimulate the nerve; and
a sensor to detect an inflammatory agent.
59. The method of claim 58 wherein a nerve stimulator in communication with the sensor provides the stimulation energy to the third stimulation electrode.
60. A method of performing a medical procedure, comprising:
providing stimulation energy from a cardiac stimulator to a first stimulation electrode to stimulate a first portion of cardiac tissue;
providing stimulation energy from the cardiac stimulator to a second stimulation electrode to simultaneously stimulate a second portion of cardiac tissue; and
providing stimulation energy from a nerve stimulator to a third stimulation electrode to stimulate a vagal nerve.
61. The method of claim 60 further comprising stimulating the vagal nerve while stimulating the first and second portions of cardiac tissue.
62. The method of claim 60 further comprising stimulating the vagal nerve while stopping simultaneous stimulation of the first and second portions of cardiac tissue.
63. The method of claim 60 further comprising stimulating the first and second portions of cardiac tissue while stopping stimulation of the vagal nerve.
64. The method of claim 60 further comprising delivering at least one drug during the medical procedure.
65. The method of claim 60 wherein a cardiac stimulator provides the stimulation energy to the first and second stimulation electrodes.
66. The method of claim 65 wherein the cardiac stimulator is an external cardiac stimulator.
67. The method of claim 65 wherein the cardiac stimulator is an implantable cardiac stimulator.
68. The method of claim 60 wherein a nerve stimulator provides the stimulation energy to the third stimulation electrode.
69. The method of claim 68 wherein the nerve stimulator is an external nerve stimulator.
70. The method of claim 68 wherein the nerve stimulator is an implantable nerve stimulator.
71. The method of claim 60 further comprising a sensor.
72. The method of claim 71 wherein a nerve stimulator in communication with the sensor provides the stimulation energy to the third stimulation electrode.
73. The method of claim 71 wherein a cardiac stimulator in communication with the sensor provides the stimulation energy to the first and second stimulation electrodes.
74. A system for performing a medical procedure, comprising:
an implantable nerve stimulator for delivering stimulation energy to one or more nerve stimulation electrodes;
an implantable cardiac stimulator in communication with the nerve stimulator for delivering stimulation energy to two or more stimulation electrodes; and
one or more sensors in communication with the nerve stimulator.
75. The system of claim 74 wherein the one or more nerve stimulation electrodes are selected from the group consisting of:
nerve stimulation electrodes, endotracheal electrodes, endoesophageal electrodes, intravascular electrodes, transcutaneous electrodes, intracutaneous electrodes, balloon-type electrodes, basket-type electrodes, umbrella-type electrodes, tape-type electrodes, suction-type electrodes, screw-type electrodes, barb-type electrodes, bipolar electrodes, monopolar electrodes, metal electrodes, wire electrodes, patch electrodes, cuff electrodes, clip electrodes, needle electrodes and probe electrodes.
76. The system of claim 74 wherein the two or more cardiac stimulation electrodes are selected from the group consisting of:
cardiac stimulation electrodes, clip electrodes, needle electrodes, probe electrodes, pacing electrodes, epicardial electrodes, patch electrodes, intravascular electrodes, balloon-type electrodes, basket-type electrodes, tape-type electrodes, umbrella-type electrodes, suction-type electrodes,endotracheal electrodes, endoesophageal electrodes, transcutaneous electrodes, intracutaneous electrodes, screw-type electrodes, barb-type electrodes, bipolar electrodes, monopolar electrodes, metal electrodes, wire electrodes and cuff electrodes.
77. The system of claim 74 further comprising one or more sensors in communication with the cardiac stimulator.
78. A system for performing a medical procedure, comprising:
an implantable nerve stimulator for delivering stimulation energy to one or more nerve stimulation electrodes;
an implantable cardiac stimulator in communication with the nerve stimulator for delivering stimulation energy to two or more stimulation electrodes; and
one or more sensors in communication with the nerve stimulator and the cardiac stimulator.
79. A device for performing a medical procedure comprising:
a processor;
one or more nerve stimulation electrodes operatively connected to the processor;
two or more cardiac stimulation electrodes operatively connected to the processor; and
one or more physician operated switches operatively connected to the processor to allow a physician to regulate stimulation output from the one or more nerve stimulation electrodes and the two or more cardiac stimulation electrodes.
80. The device of claim 79 wherein stimulation output from the one or more nerve stimulation electrodes occurs in an inverse relationship to stimulation output from the two or more cardiac stimulation electrodes.
81. The device of claim 79 wherein stimulation output from the one or more nerve stimulation electrodes occurs during stimulation output from the two or more cardiac stimulation electrodes.
82. The device of claim 79 wherein the switch is a hand switch.
83. The device of claim 79 wherein the switch is a foot switch.
84. The device of claim 79 wherein the switch is a voice-activated switch.
85. The device of claim 79 wherein the switch is a remote switch.
86. The device of claim 79 further comprising a sensor in communication with the processor.