Author: claimsbot

1. A method to improve setup of a server that executes an accounting program, the method comprising:
one or more computers or the server receiving a name of an account of a specific type to be setup in the accounting program;
the one or more computers or the server receiving a specific value to be used to identify the account uniquely, among accounts of the specific type;
the one or more computers or the server using the name of the account to automatically obtain N values that respectively identify N entities of an organization;
the one or more computers or the server repeatedly using a pattern of segments defining an identifier that is segmented, at least by inserting the specific value into one segment of the pattern and one of the N values into another segment of the pattern, to obtain N identifiers;
the one or more computers or the server storing N tuples in a table in a non-transitory memory, each of the N tuples being stored in a row of the table, the table comprising a first column for the identifier of the account and a second column for the name of the account; and
the server executing at least one initialization procedure, to set up N accounts in the accounting program, based on the N tuples.
2. The method of claim 1 comprising:
the one or more computers using the name of the account with a map, to identify a level of the organization;
the one or more computers using the level to search a spreadsheet to identify the N values.
3. The method of claim 2 wherein:
the one or more computers or the server store in multiple tuples, identifiers of accounts identical to one another, and names of accounts identical to one another;
the one or more computers or the server further store in each of the multiple tuples, at least a name of an entity in the organization at said level, the names of entities in the multiple tuples being different from one another.
4. The method of claim 1 wherein:
the name of the account and a type of the account are both received in a single cell, in a first predetermined column and in a specific row of a spreadsheet; and
the specific value to be used to identify the account is received via another cell in a second predetermined column and in the specific row of the spreadsheet.
5. The method of claim 4 wherein:
the first predetermined column is labeled in the spreadsheet as a type of account.
6. The method of claim 1 wherein the table is hereinafter a tuples table, the tuples table being comprised in a database in the server, the accounting program comprising an Accounts Receivable module, and the database comprising an AR table, the method further comprising:
the server executing an initialization procedure in the Accounts Receivable module to use a row in the tuples table to check and if not found add a new row in the AR table.
7. One or more non-transitory computer readable storage media comprising a plurality of instructions executable by one or more processors to improve setup of a server that executes an accounting program, the plurality of instructions comprising:
instructions to one or more computers or the server to receive a name of an account of a specific type to be setup in the accounting program;
instructions to the one or more computers or the server to receive a specific value to be used to identify the account uniquely, among accounts of the specific type;
instructions to the one or more computers or the server to use the name of the account to automatically obtain N values that respectively identify N entities of an organization;
instructions to the one or more computers or the server to repeatedly use a pattern of segments defining an identifier that is segmented, at least by inserting the specific value into one segment of the pattern and one of the N values into another segment of the pattern, to obtain N identifiers;
instructions to the one or more computers or the server to store N tuples in a table in a non-transitory memory, each of the N tuples being stored in a row of the table, the table comprising a first column for the identifier of the account and a second column for the name of the account; and
instructions to the server to execute at least one initialization procedure, to set up N accounts in the accounting program, based on the N tuples.
8. The one or more non-transitory computer readable storage media of claim 7 wherein plurality of instructions comprise:
instructions to the one or more computers to use the name of the account with a map, to identify a level of the organization;
instructions to the one or more computers to use the level to search a spreadsheet to identify the N values.
9. The one or more non-transitory computer readable storage media of claim 8 wherein:
the one or more computers or the server store in multiple tuples, identifiers of accounts identical to one another, and names of accounts identical to one another;
the one or more computers or the server further store in each of the multiple tuples, at least a name of an entity in the organization at said level, the names of entities in the multiple tuples being different from one another.
10. The one or more non-transitory computer readable storage media of claim 8 wherein:
the name of the account and a type of the account are both received in a single cell, in a first predetermined column and in a specific row of a spreadsheet; and
the specific value to be used to identify the account is received via another cell in a second predetermined column and in the specific row of the spreadsheet.
11. The one or more non-transitory computer readable storage media of claim 10 wherein:
the first predetermined column is labeled in the spreadsheet as a type of account.
12. The one or more non-transitory computer readable storage media of claim 8 wherein the table is hereinafter a tuples table, the tuples table being comprised in a database in the server, the accounting program comprising an Accounts Receivable module, and the database comprising an AR table, the plurality of instructions further comprising:
instructions to the server executing an initialization procedure in the Accounts Receivable module to use a row in the tuples table to check and if not found add a new row in the AR table.
13. A system comprising one or more processors coupled to one or more non-transitory storage media comprising instructions executable by the one or more processors to improve setup of a server that executes an accounting program, the system being configured to:
receive a name of an account of a specific type to be setup in the accounting program;
receive a specific value to be used to identify the account uniquely, among accounts of the specific type;
use the name of the account to automatically obtain N values that respectively identify N entities of an organization;
repeatedly use a pattern of segments defining an identifier that is segmented, at least by inserting the specific value into one segment of the pattern and one of the N values into another segment of the pattern, to obtain N identifiers;
store N tuples in a table in a memory, each of the N tuples being stored in a row of the table, the table comprising a first column for the identifier of the account and a second column for the name of the account; and
execute at least one initialization procedure, to set up N accounts in the accounting program, based on the N tuples.
14. The system of claim 13 wherein the system is configured to:
use the name of the account with a map, to identify a level of the organization;
use the level to search a spreadsheet to identify the N values.
15. The system of claim 13 wherein:
the one or more processors or the server store in multiple tuples, identifiers of accounts identical to one another, and names of accounts identical to one another;
the one or more processors or the server further store in each of the multiple tuples, at least a name of an entity in the organization at said level, the names of entities in the multiple tuples being different from one another.
16. The system of claim 13 wherein:
the name of the account and a type of the account are both received in a single cell, in a first predetermined column and in a specific row of a spreadsheet; and
the specific value to be used to identify the account is received via another cell in a second predetermined column and in the specific row of the spreadsheet.
17. The system of claim 16 wherein:
the first predetermined column is labeled in the spreadsheet as a type of account.
18. The system of claim 13 wherein the table is hereinafter a tuples table, the tuples table being comprised in a database in the server, the accounting program comprising an Accounts Receivable module, and the database comprising an AR table, the system being further configured to:
execute an initialization procedure in the Accounts Receivable module to use a row in the tuples table to check and if not found add a new row in the AR table.

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 portable entertainment system for a vehicle, comprising:
a portable housing comprising a catering canister configured to be stored on a catering rack of a service galley of the vehicle;
a transceiver configured to communication through radio frequency (RF) signals with Portable Electronic Devices (PEDs) operated by vehicle passengers;
at least one processor;
at least one memory; and
wherein the at least one memory is coupled to the at least one processor and comprises entertainment content and further comprises computer readable program code that when executed by the at least one processor causes the at least one processor to perform operations comprising:
communicating a list, of at least some of the entertainment content available in the at least one memory, to the PEDs;
receiving a content selection message through the transceiver from one of the PEDs that requests communication of a selected one of the entertainment content identified in the list; and
communicating the selected one of the entertainment content through the transceiver to the one of the PEDs; and

wherein the transceiver, the at least one processor, and the at least one memory are enclosed within the portable housing.
2. The portable entertainment system of claim 1,
wherein the catering canister comprises a metal layer that encloses the transceiver, the at least one processor, and the at least one memory to shield RF emissions therefrom; and
the portable entertainment system further comprises an antenna configured to transmit and receive RF signals between the transceiver and the PEDs operated by vehicle passengers, wherein the antenna is mounted to an exterior surface of the catering canister.
3. The portable entertainment system of claim 2, wherein the antenna, is mounted to a front exterior surface of the catering canister facing away from the rack while the catering canister is stored on the rack.
4. The portable entertainment system of claim 2,
further comprising a rechargeable battery that supplies power to the transceiver, the at least one processor and the at least one memory,
wherein the catering canister has an access door that is configured to inhibit external escape of gasses from inside in case of burning of the rechargeable battery.
5. The portable entertainment system of claim 1, wherein the portable entertainment system further comprises:
a global positioning system (GPS) antenna mounted to an exterior surface of the catering canister; and
a GPS unit connected to receive GPS signals from the GPS antenna and configured to determine a location of the portable entertainment system while the portable entertainment system is being transported from a storage facility to the vehicle.
6. The portable entertainment system of claim 5, wherein:
the GPS unit is configured to capture and store in a memory of the GPS unit information obtained from GPS signals received by the GPS antenna while the portable entertainment system is being transported from a storage facility to the vehicle, and to process the information from the memory of the GPS unit to determine a location of the portable entertainment system while the portable entertainment system is stored on the rack of the service galley with the GPS antenna shielded from receiving further GPS signals by a surface of the vehicle.
7. The portable entertainment system of claim 5, wherein the computer readable program code causes the at least one processor to perform operations comprising:
selecting a default language for textual information andor audible speech relating to the entertainment content in the list that is communicated to the PEDs, responsive to the location of the portable entertainment system determined by the GPS unit.
8. A portable entertainment system for a vehicle, comprising:
a portable housing;
a transceiver configured to communication through radio frequency (RF) signals with Portable Electronic Devices (PEDs) operated by vehicle passengers;
at least one processor;
at least one memory; and
a rechargeable battery that supplies power to the transceiver, the at least one processor and the at least one memory,
wherein the at least one memory is coupled to the at least one processor and comprises entertainment content and further comprises computer readable program code that when executed by the at least one processor causes the at least one processor to perform operations comprising:
communicating a list, of at least some of the entertainment content available in the at least one memory, to the PEDs;
receiving a content selection message through the transceiver from one of the PEDs that requests communication of a selected one of the entertainment content identified in the list;
communicating the selected one of the entertainment content through the transceiver to the one of the PEDs;
monitoring remaining power of the rechargeable battery; and
controlling a level of service, that is provided to at least some of the PEDs for communication of electronic content, responsive to the remaining power of the rechargeable battery, and

wherein the transceiver, the at least one processor, and the at least one memory are enclosed within the portable housing.
9. The portable entertainment system of claim 8, wherein the computer readable program code causes the at least one processor to perform operations comprising:
reducing bandwidth provided through the transceiver for communication to at least some of the PEDs responsive to the remaining power of the rechargeable battery no longer satisfying a defined threshold.
10. The portable entertainment system of claim 8, wherein the computer readable program code causes the at least one processor to perform operations comprising:
reducing the level of service provided to at least some of the PEDs responsive to the remaining power of the rechargeable battery no longer satisfying a defined threshold by ceasing streaming of video content while continuing to allow downloading of application programs from the at least one memory for execution on the at least some of the PEDs to conserve remaining power of the rechargeable battery.
11. The portable entertainment system of claim 8, wherein the computer readable program code causes the at least one processor to perform operations comprising:
associating the PEDs into a plurality of groups having different priority levels; and
reducing the level of service provided to PEDs in one of the groups while keeping unchanged the level of service provided to PEDs in another of the groups responsive to the remaining power of the rechargeable battery no longer satisfying a defined threshold.
12. The portable entertainment system of claim 8,
further comprising a pressure altimeter connected to the at least one processor;
wherein the computer readable program code causes the at least one processor to perform operations comprising:
selectively turning off the transceiver responsive to a signal from the pressure altimeter.
13. The portable entertainment system of claim 12, wherein the computer readable program code causes the at least one processor to perform operations comprising:
determining an altitude within a cabin of an aircraft vehicle, in which the portable entertainment system resides, responsive to the signal from the pressure altimeter;
tracking changes in the altitude;
determining a present flight phase responsive to the tracked changes in the altitude;
providing power flow from the rechargeable battery to the transceiver responsive to the present flight phase being a first defined flight phase; and
ceasing power flow from the rechargeable battery to the transceiver responsive to the present flight phase being a second defined flight phase.
14. The portable entertainment system of claim 13, wherein the computer readable program code causes the at least one processor to perform operations comprising:
determining when the aircraft has landed responsive to the tracked changes in the altitude;
responding to the determination that the aircraft has landed by powering on the transceiver and constraining the PEDs to accessing a reduced subset of the list of at least some of the entertainment content available in the at least one memory while the aircraft remains on the ground after landing and before beginning a takeoff flight phase.
15. The portable entertainment system of claim 13,
further comprising an accelerometer connected to the at least one processor;
wherein the computer readable program code causes the at least one processor to perform operations comprising:
determining the present flight phase responsive to the tracked changes in the altitude and a signal from the accelerometer.
16. The portable entertainment system of claim 8,
further comprising first and second ones of the portable housing, each comprising the transceiver, the at least one processor, and the at least one memory;
wherein the first and second portable housings are spaced apart on the vehicle to create two partially overlapping service areas in which entertainment services are provided to the PEDs;
wherein the computer readable program code in the at least one memory of the first portable housing causes the at least one processor within the first portable housing to perform operations comprising:
determining which of the PEDs are located within the overlapping service area of the transceivers of the first and second portable housings; and
communicating an assignment message to the transceiver of the second portable housing requesting that the at least one processor of the second portable housing provide entertainment services to defined ones of the PEDs located within the overlapping service area.
17. The portable entertainment system of claim 16, wherein the computer readable program code in the at least one memory of the first portable housing causes the at least one processor within the first portable housing to perform operations comprising:
generating the assignment message responsive to comparison of received signal strength of RF signals received by the transceivers of the first and second portable housings from the PEDs located within the overlapping service area andor responsive to known priority levels of the PEDs located within the overlapping service area.
18. The portable entertainment system of claim 16, wherein the computer readable program code in the at least one memory of the first portable housing causes the at least one processor within the first portable housing to perform operations comprising:
generating the assignment message responsive to comparison of remaining power of the rechargeable batteries of the first and second portable housings.
19. The portable entertainment system of claim 18, wherein:
wherein the computer readable program code in the at least one memory of the first portable housing causes the at least one processor within the first portable housing to perform operations comprising:
generating the assignment message to reassign at least one of the PEDs that has been provided entertainment services from the at least one processor of the first portable housing to be subsequently provided entertainment services from the at least one processor of the second portable housing responsive to the remaining power of the rechargeable battery of the first portable housing no longer satisfying a defined threshold while the remaining power of the rechargeable battery of the second portable housing continues to satisfy a defined threshold.
20. The portable entertainment system of claim 16, wherein the computer readable program code in the at least one memory of the first portable housing causes the at least one processor within the first portable housing to perform operations comprising:
identifying a set of the PEDs located within the overlapping service area that have requested a same streaming video file of the entertainment content available in the at least one memory of both of the first and second portable housings; and
generating the assignment message to cause the at least one processor of the second portable housing to communicate the same streaming video file of the entertainment content from the at least one memory of the second portable housing as a multicast stream to the set of the PEDs.
21. The portable entertainment system of claim 8,
further comprising first and second ones of the portable housing, each comprising the transceiver, the at least one processor, and the at least one memory;
wherein the computer readable program code in the at least one memory of the first portable housing causes the at least one processor within the first portable housing to perform operations comprising:
obtaining from the transceiver of the second portable housing the list of at least some of the entertainment content available in the at least one memory of the second portable housing;
comparing content of the list obtained from the transceiver of the second portable housing to the list of at least some of the entertainment content available in the at least one memory of the first portable housing; and
communicating entertainment content that is determined to be absent in the at least one memory of the second portable housing and which is present in the at least one memory of the first portable housing responsive to the comparing.
22. The portable entertainment system of claim 21, wherein the computer readable program code in the at least one memory of the first portable housing causes the at least one processor within the first portable housing to perform operations comprising:
initiating the obtaining from the transceiver of the second portable housing the list of at least some of the entertainment content available in the at least one memory of the second portable housing, responsive to an event that occurs while the transceiver, the at least one processor and the at least one memory of the first portable housing are supplied power from a power source that is not the rechargeable battery and is outside the first portable housing; and
ceasing communicating entertainment content that is determined to be absent in the at least one memory of the second portable housing and which is present in the at least one memory of the first portable housing, responsive to the transceiver, the at least one processor and the at least one memory of the first portable housing ceasing to be supplied power from the power source that is outside the first portable housing.

1. A detection apparatus, comprising:
a sensor that is disposed in an exhaust path of an internal combustion engine through which an exhaust gas flows, includes an attachment element to which particulate matter in the exhaust gas is configured to attach, and is configured to detect a correlation value that is correlated with an amount of particulate matter which is attached to the attachment element;
a heater that is configured to heat the attachment element; and
a control unit that is configured to perform a feedback control of a temperature of the attachment element so as to follow a target temperature while a regeneration process is performed to allow the heater to heat the attachment element so as to burn particulate matter which attaches to the attachment element,
the control unit being configured to:
set the target temperature before a start of the regeneration process so that the target temperature becomes lower, as the correlation value, which is detected by the sensor before the start of the regeneration process, becomes larger; and
set a completion timing of the regeneration process before the start of the regeneration process so that a period of the regeneration process becomes longer, as the correlation value, which is detected by the sensor before the start of the regeneration process, becomes larger.
2. The detection apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising
a flow rate sensor that is configured to detect a flow rate of the exhaust gas which flows through the exhaust path, wherein
the control unit is configured to set the completion timing of the regeneration process so that the period of the regeneration process becomes longer, as the flow rate of the exhaust gas detected by the flow rate sensor becomes larger.
3. An engine system, comprising:
an internal combustion engine; and
a detection apparatus including:
a sensor that is disposed in an exhaust path of an internal combustion engine through which an exhaust gas flows, which includes an attachment element to which particulate matter in the exhaust gas attaches, and is configured to detect a correlation value that is correlated with an amount of particulate matter which attaches to the attachment element;
a heater that is configured to heat the attachment element; and
a control unit configured to perform a feedback control of a temperature of the attachment element so as to follow a target temperature while a regeneration process is performed to allow the heater to heat the attachment element so as to burn particulate matter which attaches to the attachment element,
the control unit being configured to:
set the target temperature before a start of the regeneration process so that the target temperature becomes lower, as the correlation value, which is detected by the sensor before the start of the regeneration process, becomes larger; and
set a completion timing of the regeneration process before the start of the regeneration process so that a period of the regeneration process becomes longer, as the correlation value, which is detected by the sensor before the start of the regeneration process, becomes larger.
4. A detection method, comprising:
at a sensor that is disposed in an exhaust path of an internal combustion engine through which an exhaust gas flows, and which includes an attachment element to which particulate matter in the exhaust gas attaches,
detecting a correlation value that is correlated with an amount of particulate matter which attaches to the attachment element;
at a heater, heating the attachment element; and
at a control unit:
performing a feedback control of a temperature of the attachment element so as to follow a target temperature while a regeneration process is performed to allow the heater to heat the attachment element so as to burn particulate matter which attaches to the attachment element;
setting the target temperature before a start of the regeneration process so that the target temperature becomes lower, as the correlation value, which is detected by the sensor before the start of the regeneration process, becomes larger; and
setting a completion timing of the regeneration process before the start of the regeneration process so that a period of the regeneration process becomes longer, as the correlation value, which is detected by the sensor before the start of the regeneration process, becomes larger.
5. The engine system according to claim 3, wherein the control unit is configured to:
detect a flow rate of the exhaust gas which flows through the exhaust path, and
set the completion timing of the regeneration process so that the period of the regeneration process becomes longer, as the detected flow rate of the exhaust gas becomes larger.
6. The detection method according to claim 4, further comprising:
at the control unit,
detecting a flow rate of the exhaust gas which flows through the exhaust path; and
setting the completion timing of the regeneration process so that the period of the regeneration process becomes longer, as the detected flow rate of the exhaust gas becomes larger.

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. An apparatus adapted for placing a lead at a target site on an epicardial surface of a heart using a minimally-invasive delivery procedure, the epicardial surface of the heart having a generally convex shape and being surrounded by a pericardial sac, an inner surface of the pericardial sac generally conforming to the epicardial surface and defining a generally concave shape, the apparatus comprising:
an elongated body including a longitudinal axis, a proximal end portion and a distal end portion and defining a lead receiving passageway extending between a proximal inlet and a distal lead outlet for receiving a lead therethrough for contact with the epicardial surface of the heart, the elongated body being sufficiently flexible along the longitudinal axis to conform to the epicardial surface and sufficiently stiff to allow movement of the distal end in at least one plane upon application of a force to the proximal end of the lead body, the elongated body having a length sufficient to enable access to the target site using a sub-xyphoid approach,
wherein the distal end portion includes an upper surface and a lower surface opposed to the upper surface and configured to contact and generally conform to the epicardial surface, the distal lead outlet being located on the lower surface, the distal end portion having a cross-section with a width and a thickness, the width being greater than the thickness, the width and thickness tapering distally along the distal end portion such that the distal end portion has a tapered leading end,
wherein the tapered leading end is adapted to facilitate advancement of the distal end portion through a pericardial space located between the convex epicardial surface and the concave pericardial inner surface, and
wherein the distal end portion further defines a guidewire outlet, the guidewire outlet being smaller than the distal lead outlet, the guidewire outlet providing a pathway from the distal lead outlet to a distal end of the elongated body and being adapted to track the distal end portion on a guidewire along a pathway between the epicardial and pericardial surfaces to the target site.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the elongated body between the proximal inlet and the distal outlet of the lead receiving passageway has a length in the range of 10 cm to 40 cm.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the elongated body defines a plurality of lumens extending between the proximal inlet and the distal outlet.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the distal end portion of the elongated body is thinner than a more proximal portion of the elongated body.
5. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising an elongated guide wire having a proximal end and a distal end and being received within the lead receiving passageway to facilitate lead placement.
6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the elongated body further defines a dedicated guide wire lumen extending between a guide wire inlet and the guide wire outlet, and an elongated guide wire having a proximal end and a distal end and being received within the guide wire lumen.
7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the proximal inlet of the lead receiving passageway is located between the proximal end portion and distal end portion of the elongated body.
8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the proximal inlet of the lead receiving passageway is located at the proximal end portion of the elongated body.
9. The apparatus of claim 1 further including a handle located at the proximal end portion of the elongated body.
10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the elongated body further defines a fluid delivery lumen having a proximal opening and a distal opening which is located in proximity to the distal lead outlet, the fluid delivery lumen being in fluid communication with a fluid source at the proximal opening so as to introduce a fluid to a pericardial space.
11. The apparatus of claim 1 further including an endoscope carried by the elongated body having a proximal end and a distal end which is located in proximity to the distal lead outlet, the proximal end of the endoscope being connected to an operator-readable output device so as to view the surface of the heart in proximity to the distal end of the endoscope.
12. The apparatus of claim 1 further including an elongated flexible element having a proximal end and a distal end and being disposed in at least a portion of the elongated body which is configured to be inserted between the pericardial inner surface and the epicardial surface, the element being adapted to retain a desired shape corresponding to a surface of the heart.
13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the elongated flexible element is a wire carried by the elongated body.
14. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the elongated body defines a longitudinal axis and at least a portion of the elongated body is curved relative to the longitudinal axis.
15. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein at least a portion of the elongated body is curved in the range of approximately 10 degrees to 80 degrees.
16. The apparatus of claim 1 further including an elongated sleeve disposed circumferentially relative to the elongated body, the sleeve being adapted to control a curvature of the elongated body relative to a longitudinal axis.
17. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the guide wire outlet is a channel formed in the lower surface of the distal end portion.
18. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the guide wire outlet is oriented in a direction parallel with a longitudinal axis of the elongated body and the lead outlet is generally oriented in a direction perpendicular with the lower surface.
19. An apparatus adapted for placing a lead at a target site on an epicardial surface of a heart using a minimally-invasive delivery procedure, the epicardial surface of the heart having a generally convex shape and being surrounded by a pericardial sac, an inner surface of the pericardial sac generally conforming to the epicardial surface and defining a generally concave shape, the apparatus comprising: an elongated body including a longitudinal axis, a proximal end portion and a distal end portion and defining a passageway which includes at least one inlet adapted to receive an elongated guide wire and a lead, the distal end portion having a cross-section with a width and a thickness, the width being greater than the thickness, the width and thickness tapering distally along the distal end portion such that the distal end portion has a tapered leading end, the tapered leading end being adapted to facilitate advancement of the distal end portion through a pericardial space located between the convex epicardial surface and the concave pericardial inner surface, the passageway having a lead outlet and a guide wire outlet which is distally located on the elongated body in relation to the lead outlet and non-concentric with the lead outlet, the lead outlet being sufficiently sized to allow passage of the lead for contact with the surface of the heart, the guide wire outlet being sufficiently sized and oriented to allow passage of the guide wire forward of the distal end portion of the elongated body, the guide wire outlet being smaller than the lead outlet to avoid extension of the lead beyond of the distal end portion of the elongated body, wherein the distal end portion includes an upper surface and a lower surface opposed to the upper surface and configured to contact and generally conform to the epicardial surface, and the lead and guide wire outlets are located on the lower surface.
20. The apparatus of claim 19 wherein the lead outlet distally tapers to the guide wire outlet.
21. The apparatus of claim 19 wherein the portion of the elongated body at the guide wire outlet is thinner than a more proximal portion of the elongated body.
22. The apparatus of claim 19 wherein the elongated body in proximity to at least one of the lead outlet and guide wire outlet has a non-circular shape.
23. The apparatus of claim 19 wherein the elongated body is sufficiently flexible along the longitudinal axis to conform to the epicardial surface.
24. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the guide wire outlet is a channel formed in the lower surface of the distal end portion.
25. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the guide wire outlet is oriented in a direction parallel with the longitudinal axis of the elongated body and the lead outlet is generally oriented in a direction perpendicular with the lower surface.