Importance

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Abstract

The present invention involves catheters used for electrical pacing or excitation of the heart where critical placement and firm contact within the inner wall of the heart is required. The invention meets the requirement in the case of pacing catheters in the electrode at the catheter tip which maintains a firm, constant contact pressure against the inner surface of the heart's muscular wall despite the beating and movement of the heart. The invention provides a mechanism whereby the electrode tip actually presses against the heart with constant pressure resulting in a much more effective and desirable operation. A first magnet is positioned at or near the electrode tip of the pacing catheter and a second passive or holding magnet is fixed to the chest of the use to provide a magnetic force to position the tip of the pacing catheter. The invention also sets forth a method for positioning the passive or holding magnet to optimize the magnetic effect that will hold the electrode tip of the pacing catheter in position.

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First Claim