Author: claimsbot

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.

1. A plasma display, comprising a circuit having:
a first input that receives a first waveform;
a second input that receives a second waveform;
an output that provides a driving waveform for an electrode of a pixel in the plasma display; and
a switching sub-circuit that (i) routes said first waveform from said first input to said output during a first portion of a setup period to initialize said pixel for an addressing operation, and (ii) routes said second waveform from said second input to said output during a second portion of said setup period.
2. The plasma display of claim 1, wherein said driving waveform has a peak-to-peak magnitude that is greater than a peak-to-peak magnitude of said first waveform, and greater than a peak-to-peak magnitude of said second waveform.
3. The plasma display of claim 1, wherein said first waveform is a DC offset of said second waveform.
4. The plasma display of claim 3, wherein said DC offset is positive.
5. The plasma display of claim 1, wherein said switching sub-circuit comprises transistors in a totem pole configuration.
6. A plasma display, comprising:
a circuit having a totem pole output that provides an output waveform for driving an electrode of a pixel in the plasma display,
wherein said pixel, during a setup period, is prepared for an addressing operation, and
wherein said totem pole output includes a first transistor that drives said output waveform during a first portion of said setup period, and a second transistor that drives said output waveform during a second portion of said setup period.
7. The plasma display of claim 6,
wherein said circuit receives a first input waveform and a second input waveform, and selectively routes either of said first input waveform or said second input waveform through said totem pole output to produce said output waveform, and
wherein said output waveform has a peak-to-peak magnitude that is greater than a peak-to-peak magnitude of said first waveform, and greater than a peak-to-peak magnitude of said second waveform.
8. A plasma display, comprising:
a circuit having a totem pole output that provides an output waveform for driving an electrode of a pixel in said plasma display,
wherein said circuit receives a first waveform and a second waveform that is positive relative to said first waveform, and
wherein said circuit routes said second waveform to said totem pole output during a first gas discharge of said pixel, and routes said first waveform to said totem pole output during a second gas discharge of said pixel.
9. The plasma display of claim 8, wherein said first gas discharge comprises a weak positive resistance discharge during a rising ramp waveform.
10. A plasma display, comprising:
a circuit that provides a first waveform and a second waveform, wherein said second waveform is a voltage offset of said first waveform; and
a totem pole circuit having a first input that receives said first waveform, a second input that receives said second waveform, and an output that provides a driving waveform for an electrode of a pixel in said plasma display,
wherein said totem pole circuit (i) routes said second waveform from said second input to said output during a first portion of a setup period to initialize said pixel for an addressing operation, and (ii) routes said first waveform from said first input to said output during a second portion of said setup period.
11. The plasma display of claim 10, wherein said driving waveform has a peak-to-peak magnitude that is greater than a peak-to-peak magnitude of said first waveform, and greater than a peak-to-peak magnitude of said second waveform.
12. The plasma display of claim 10, wherein said pixel experiences a weak positive resistance discharge during said first portion of said setup period.
13. The plasma display of claim 10, wherein said wherein said second waveform is AC coupled to said first waveform.
14. A plasma display, comprising a circuit having:
a first input that receives a first waveform;
a second input that receives a second waveform, wherein said second waveform is a DC offset of said first waveform;
an output that provides a driving waveform for an electrode of a pixel in said plasma display; and
a switching sub-circuit that (i) routes said second waveform from said second input to said output during a first portion of a sub-field of a frame for illuminating said pixel, and (ii) routes said first waveform from said first input to said output during a second portion of said sub-field,
wherein said driving waveform has a peak-to-peak magnitude that is greater than a peak-to-peak magnitude of said first waveform, and greater than a peak-to-peak magnitude of said second waveform.
15. The plasma display of claim 14, wherein said DC offset is positive.
16. The plasma display of claim 14, wherein said switching sub-circuit comprises transistors in a totem pole configuration.
17. A plasma display, comprising a circuit having:
a first input that receives a first waveform;
a second input that receives a second waveform;
an output that provides a driving waveform for an electrode of a pixel in said plasma display; and
a switching sub-circuit that (i) routes said first waveform from said first input to said output during a gas discharge that initializes said pixel for an addressing operation, and (ii) routes said second waveform from said second input to said output when enabling said pixel for a gas discharge during said addressing operation.
18. The plasma display of claim 17, wherein said driving waveform has a peak-to-peak magnitude that is greater than a peak-to-peak magnitude of said first waveform, and greater than a peak-to-peak magnitude of said second waveform.
19. The plasma display of claim 17, wherein said first waveform is a DC offset of said second waveform.
20. The plasma display of claim 19, wherein said DC offset is positive.
21. The plasma display of claim 17, wherein said switching sub-circuit comprises transistors in a totem pole configuration.
22. A plasma display comprising a circuit having:
a first input that receives a first waveform;
a second input that receives a second waveform, wherein said second waveform is a DC offset of said first waveform;
an output that provides a driving waveform for an electrode of a pixel in said plasma display; and
a switching sub-circuit that (i) routes said second waveform from said second input to said output during a gas discharge that initializes said pixel for an addressing operation, and (ii) routes said first waveform from said first input to said output when enabling said pixel for a gas discharge during said addressing operation,
wherein said driving waveform has a peak-to-peak magnitude that is greater than a peak-to-peak magnitude of said first waveform, and greater than a peak-to-peak magnitude of said second waveform.
23. The plasma display of claim 22, wherein said DC offset is positive.
24. The plasma display of claim 22, wherein said switching sub-circuit comprises transistors in a totem pole configuration.

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. In a rotating anode x-ray tube housing of the type having a cathode and rotating anode, wherein the anode has a disk with both a rotational axis and an extended anode plane, the improvement comprising:
a. a cathode cable having a cathode plug attached to an end portion of the cable;
b. the plug is recessed in a receptacle attached to the housing, wherein the receptacle extends into the housing;
c. the cathode plug is contained within the housing;
d. both the anode and cathode plug extend from a same end of the housing and are substantially parallel to but offset from one another.
2. The housing of claim 1 wherein the cable is exposed to an insulating medium within the housing.
3. The housing of claim 2 wherein the insulating medium is transformer oil.
4. The housing of claim 1 wherein only a single cable enters at an anode end of the housing, via the plug and receptacle, wherein the plug and receptacle each has a longitudinal axis parallel to the rotational axis.
5. In a rotating anode x-ray tube housing of the type having a cathode and rotating anode, wherein the anode has a disk with both a rotational axis and an extended anode plane, the improvement comprising:
a. a single voltage cable having a terminal end axially mounted within a receptacle, the receptacle is attached to an anode end of the housing and extends inside the housing, whereby the terminal end and the receptacle are contained substantially within the housing;
b. a longitudinal axis of the single terminal end, and a longitudinal axis of the receptacle, are aligned substantially parallel to the rotational axis; and
c. the terminal end passes through the extended anode plane and is connected to the cathode.
6. The housing of claim 5 wherein the terminal end connection is an extended Federal Standard terminal and the receptacle is an extended Federal Standard receptacle.
7. The housing of claim 6 wherein the cable is exposed to an insulating medium within the housing.
8. The housing of claim 7 wherein the insulating medium is transformer oil.
9. The housing of claim 5 wherein a single cable enters at an anode end of the housing, where it is axially mounted by a Federal Standard cable assembly and a longitudinal axis of the cable assembly is parallel to the rotational axis.
10. In a rotating anode x-ray tube housing of the type having a cathode and rotating anode, wherein the anode has a disk with both a rotational axis and an extended anode plane, the improvement comprising:
a. a cathode cable having an attached Federal Standard plug mounted within a Federal Standard receptacle, wherein the receptacle is attached to an anode end of the housing and extends into the housing;
b. the plug and receptacle are contained substantially entirely within the housing; and
c. the plug has a longitudinal axis parallel to the rotational axis.
11. The housing of claim 10 wherein a single cable enters at an anode end of the housing, via the plug and receptacle, substantially parallel to the rotational axis.
12. The housing of claim 11 wherein the plug passes though the extended anode plane.
13. In an diagnostic x-ray tube housing of the type having a cathode and rotating anode, powered from 50 kV to 150 kV with one high-voltage cable connected to the cathode, wherein the anode has a disk with both a rotational axis and an extended anode plane, the improvement comprising:
a. the cable has a single end portion recessed in a well which extends into the housing;
b. the end portion and well are contained substantially entirely within the housing;
c. a longitudinal axis of the cable end is aligned with a longitudinal axis of the well;
d. both the longitudinal axis of the cable and the longitudinal axis of the well are parallel to the rotational axis; and
e. the cable end passes through the extended anode plane before being connected to the cathode.