Guest guest Posted May 23, 2003 Report Share Posted May 23, 2003 i thought it was the same as mine Guidant ventak prism ll. Nice to hear from you father. >From: Hiranuma <mhiranuma@...> >Reply- > >Subject: Re: Re: ICD Replacement... >Date: Thu, 22 May 2003 19:50:31 -0700 > >Which one did they put in the vice president? > >On Thursday, May 22, 2003, at 07:36 PM, mai_lin wrote: > >>Hi Turk, >> >>Haven't heard anything bad about Guidants - ever. Which can't be a bad >>thing >> >> >> >> Re: ICD Replacement... >> >>... for real? where are you finding this info 'cause I've not >>seen where this particular model is effected, nor is my EP aware of >>problem w/this model... I'm not going to the St. Jude board to take a >>closer look... ... I want my prorated refund on this model >>JES ... Blood work done.. just waiting for hsp to call >> >> > > > UGH! ... here I go again... I thought when my >> > > > second ICD was >> > > > implanted in Nov of '98 I wouldn't repeat this >> > > > again for 7 yrs... >> > > > surprise! ... >> > >> > >> > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 23, 2003 Report Share Posted May 23, 2003 Guidant is where it's at Turk They were the first. The others spun off. Jes and I have already spoken absolutely no problem Take care my friend Griff Re: ICD Replacement... > >> > >>... for real? where are you finding this info 'cause I've not > >>seen where this particular model is effected, nor is my EP aware of > >>problem w/this model... I'm not going to the St. Jude board to take a > >>closer look... ... I want my prorated refund on this model > >>JES ... Blood work done.. just waiting for hsp to call > >> > >> > > > UGH! ... here I go again... I thought when my > >> > > > second ICD was > >> > > > implanted in Nov of '98 I wouldn't repeat this > >> > > > again for 7 yrs... > >> > > > surprise! ... > >> > > >> > > >> > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 23, 2003 Report Share Posted May 23, 2003 what does that do for me? Sounds good for the insurance co. they don't have to pay for the surgery, but doesn't sound like it'd do much for me. I'm crazy for cross stitch! http://mai_lin.tripod.com/crossstitch/mainframes.html >From: " JES " <Naojeca@...> >Reply- > >Subject: Re: ICD Replacement... >Date: Fri, 23 May 2003 16:33:11 -0000 > >Wellllllllllll , according to my latest response from St. >Jude, they'd have your EP or surgeon return the unit to them for >testing and if there were a problem found they'd honor the >warranty... is what they've offered to do for me >Joan > > > > > > > Hi Jes, > > > > > > > > I don't remember if I have your exact model - but one batch >from my > > >model was recalled due to a capacitor problem in 2001, which >they've > > >been watching me for. Mine never showed the 'qualities' of the >other > > >batch, but we're sceptacle thats why mine is going so quickly. I > > >then found that St. Jude puts those same capacitors in all the ones > > >they made - which they've since changed. > > > > > > > > Of course they won't own up to it - even after the lawyers were > > >involved, they just offer a new one; never mind the fact that we >have > > >to go through surgery again. ::sigh:: > > > > > > > > My next one will be a medtronic. > > > > > > >Service. > > > > > > > _________________________________________________________________ > > MSN 8 with e-mail virus protection service: 2 months FREE* > > http://join.msn.com/?page=features/virus > _________________________________________________________________ Add photos to your messages with MSN 8. Get 2 months FREE*. http://join.msn.com/?page=features/featuredemail Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 23, 2003 Report Share Posted May 23, 2003 In theory that would be a good idea, but here's the problem. To test the device you must have the proper software and hardware and all that technology is proprietary to the company. I've dealt with all three companies with issues such as this and without exception they've been very honest and forthcoming in warranty issues. GORDON GRIFFITH <cacps2@...> wrote: Wouldn't a third party testing of your device be more practical? Griff Re: ICD Replacement... Wellllllllllll , according to my latest response from St. Jude, they'd have your EP or surgeon return the unit to them for testing and if there were a problem found they'd honor the warranty... is what they've offered to do for me :)Joan> > > Hi Jes,> > >> > > I don't remember if I have your exact model - but one batch from my> >model was recalled due to a capacitor problem in 2001, which they've> >been watching me for. Mine never showed the 'qualities' of the other> >batch, but we're sceptacle thats why mine is going so quickly. I> >then found that St. Jude puts those same capacitors in all the ones> >they made - which they've since changed.> > >> > > Of course they won't own up to it - even after the lawyers were> >involved, they just offer a new one; never mind the fact that we have> >to go through surgery again. ::sigh::> > >> > > My next one will be a medtronic.> > >> >Service.> >> > _________________________________________________________________> MSN 8 with e-mail virus protection service: 2 months FREE* > http://join.msn.com/?page=features/virusPlease visit the Zapper homepage athttp://www.ZapLife.org Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 23, 2003 Report Share Posted May 23, 2003 I'm going to add a different perspective here. Just keep in mind that first doesn't necessarily mean the best. I've nothing against Guidant, but it wouldn't be my first choice and here is why. When Guidant developed their Prism ICD line they changed the shape of the device from rectangular to a "physiologic" shape (it's more rounded and shaped like a pacemaker). When they did this they had to change from buying thier capacitors from an outside company and started building them in-house. I'm not going to get into a physics lesson, but traditional logic dictates that capacitors have to be cylindrical in shape. Well, Guidant, and other since, have found a way to develop "flat cap" capacitors which are smaller and can be made in different shapes. That's good because it frees the industry to develop smaller and more comfortably shaped devices. The downside is the capacitors don't charge as quickly. It's not unusual to see a charge time of 15-19 seconds in a Guidant device. A study several years ago showed that thier is no loss of effectiveness as long as a therapy is delivered within 20 seconds. But if you have a charge time in the upper teens that doesn't leave much leeway for the device to detect the arrhythmia and deliver the shock in that safe timeframe. To combat this Guidant devices automatically reform or recondition the capictors every three months to attempt to keep the charge times down as opposed to every six months with Medtronic devices, St. Jude is also every three months. The downside of capacitor reformation is it impacts battery life. When a capacitor reforms the device charges up to full power just like it would when you receive a shock. That's just something to consider. Ultimately, all the ICDs from the big three companies are pretty equal in treating rhythms and you will be safe with them, but in dealing with all of them on a day to day basis I would recommend Medtronic because of it's low charge time and longer(in general) battery life. Good luck to you! Levophed GORDON GRIFFITH <cacps2@...> wrote: Guidant is where it's at Turk They were the first. The others spun off.Jes and I have already spoken absolutely no problem Take care my friendGriff Re: ICD Replacement...> >>> >>... for real? where are you finding this info 'cause I've not> >>seen where this particular model is effected, nor is my EP aware of> >>problem w/this model... I'm not going to the St. Jude board to take a> >>closer look... ... I want my prorated refund on this model > >>JES ... Blood work done.. just waiting for hsp to call > >>> >> > > > UGH! ... here I go again... I thought when my> >> > > > second ICD was> >> > > > implanted in Nov of '98 I wouldn't repeat this> >> > > > again for 7 yrs...> >> > > > surprise! ...> >> >> >> >> >> > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 24, 2003 Report Share Posted May 24, 2003 Hi Marc, If I didn't know better I'd have to say I've dealt with a couple of reps today. In 1991 I had the old 1600 that while it was monophasic in nature and did result in giving me an inappropriate shock it worked like a charm until Aug of 1996, nice battery life huh? In 1996 my EP here in ton was pushing the Jewell down all of his patient's throats, but I held out and even convinced the Ventak Mini 1746 might be something we might want to look at. While our 1746 minis were doing a great job our EP was busy replacing bad Jewell devices. Strictly from a consumer's point of view if you have only good experiences with a line of products you tend to stay with a winner, be it only in their eyes. I've now got the 1789 and doing great once again. If I have a single beef that would encompass all of the major manufacturers, both of them, it would be that they have spent unnecessary dollars by the boxcar load to package their devices in smaller shells. To me, I would have rather seen even some of those competitive dollars spent on research to find a cure for our problem not making in more dainty. There was another gal on earlier today a I believe talking about product. If you guts are reps you have every right, in my opinion to promote your product but bashing the competitors product line is a bit out of line, don't you think. Griff Re: ICD Replacement...> >>> >>... for real? where are you finding this info 'cause I've not> >>seen where this particular model is effected, nor is my EP aware of> >>problem w/this model... I'm not going to the St. Jude board to take a> >>closer look... ... I want my prorated refund on this model > >>JES ... Blood work done.. just waiting for hsp to call > >>> >> > > > UGH! ... here I go again... I thought when my> >> > > > second ICD was> >> > > > implanted in Nov of '98 I wouldn't repeat this> >> > > > again for 7 yrs...> >> > > > surprise! ...> >> >> >> >> >> > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 24, 2003 Report Share Posted May 24, 2003 Gordon, I am not a rep. I'm a nurse that runs an arrhythmia clinic for a cardiology practice and I have no vested interest in promoting any product. I'm just sharing my perspective and experiences. Marc > > >> > > > UGH! ... here I go again... I thought when my > > >> > > > second ICD was > > >> > > > implanted in Nov of '98 I wouldn't repeat this > > >> > > > again for 7 yrs... > > >> > > > surprise! ... > > >> > > > >> > > > >> > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 24, 2003 Report Share Posted May 24, 2003 what can I say Griff... GMTA! JES > > > > Hi Jes, > > > > > > > > I don't remember if I have your exact model - but one batch > from my > > >model was recalled due to a capacitor problem in 2001, which > they've > > >been watching me for. Mine never showed the 'qualities' of the > other > > >batch, but we're sceptacle thats why mine is going so quickly. I > > >then found that St. Jude puts those same capacitors in all the ones > > >they made - which they've since changed. > > > > > > > > Of course they won't own up to it - even after the lawyers were > > >involved, they just offer a new one; never mind the fact that we > have > > >to go through surgery again. ::sigh:: > > > > > > > > My next one will be a medtronic. > > > > > > >Service. > > > > > > > _________________________________________________________________ > > MSN 8 with e-mail virus protection service: 2 months FREE* > > http://join.msn.com/?page=features/virus > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 24, 2003 Report Share Posted May 24, 2003 Jes everything is so cool it's unbelievable. Absolutely no problem, we're tight. Be well my friend Griff Re: ICD Replacement... what can I say Griff... GMTA! :)JES > > > > Hi Jes,> > > >> > > > I don't remember if I have your exact model - but one batch > from my> > >model was recalled due to a capacitor problem in 2001, which > they've> > >been watching me for. Mine never showed the 'qualities' of the > other> > >batch, but we're sceptacle thats why mine is going so quickly. I> > >then found that St. Jude puts those same capacitors in all the ones> > >they made - which they've since changed.> > > >> > > > Of course they won't own up to it - even after the lawyers were> > >involved, they just offer a new one; never mind the fact that we > have> > >to go through surgery again. ::sigh::> > > >> > > > My next one will be a medtronic.> > > >> > >Service.> > >> > > > _________________________________________________________________> > MSN 8 with e-mail virus protection service: 2 months FREE* > > http://join.msn.com/?page=features/virus> > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 24, 2003 Report Share Posted May 24, 2003 Boy... in reading what you've posted, and listening to an unofficial survey I'm doing w/a group of ICD'ers that I'm in contact w/Medtronic does, so far seem to be the way to go... one fella is still on his original device implanted 7 yrs ago next month... that's the one I want in me ... what you say about the recharge time has been affected by the unit " reforming " itself to check and make certain all is well... that and 3 month interrogations is what's used up my battery/capcitor and I hardly got to do anything w/it but pay for it... now, what I'd like to know is, if they find something defective, what sort of benefit would this be to me, the purchaser? ... by chance might I get a prorated refund like I would on a defective refrigerator or washing machine... which to replace I would not need to go into hsp and have surgery!!!! somehow I seriously doubt it .... but please do continue to post... you really sound like someone in the know... what are your credentials, might I ask? JES > > >> > > > UGH! ... here I go again... I thought when my > > >> > > > second ICD was > > >> > > > implanted in Nov of '98 I wouldn't repeat this > > >> > > > again for 7 yrs... > > >> > > > surprise! ... > > >> > > > >> > > > >> > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 24, 2003 Report Share Posted May 24, 2003 I've been a registered nurse for 10 years, the last three I've been running an arrhythmia clinic for a private cardiology practice. I follow approximately 1400 pacemaker and ICD patients. I sat for the NASPExam (North American Society of Pacing and Electrophysiology) last week, so hopefully I will recieve a " successful completion " on that, but I won't know until September. I don't want to give people the wrong idea, if I woke up in the hosptial tomorrow and found that they had put and ICD in me I wouldn't care which model, because they all do their job very well. As for the warranty, each company does it differently. After the implant you should receive a packet of information that should include a temporary ID card to carry until you receive your permanent one, general information on living with your ICD and warranty information. I would definitely encourage everyone to read that. If you didn't get it then call the company at the number on your ID card. That number on your card is also your key to a wealth of information. If you ever want to know anything about your device call that number and someone will be able to help you. There is never a question that is too hard for them. Now the thing is, when you call you'll be speaking to someone in customer service. If you have a hard question they may not know the answer, so if they don't sound sure of themselves or say they don't know you just need to ask to be transferred to tachy tech services. These are the people that the doctors and clinic nurses talk to when they are stumped. I can bet you that they will have an answer or be able to find someone who does. One final thing. As most of you have figured out, you can ask 5 different people what the expected life of your device is and receive 6 different answers. If you want the most accurate answer, once again the company number is the place to call and ask. When you ask you want to have the model number of your device and ask for the estimated longevity of your device with 100% pacing and quarterly shocks. That is the standard that most companies use when estimating longevity. Your device may have a longer or shorter life depending on many factors. Keep in mind that the estimated longevity isn't the same as the warranty period. Everyone have a great memorial day weekend! > > > >> > > > UGH! ... here I go again... I thought when my > > > >> > > > second ICD was > > > >> > > > implanted in Nov of '98 I wouldn't repeat this > > > >> > > > again for 7 yrs... > > > >> > > > surprise! ... > > > >> > > > > >> > > > > >> > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 24, 2003 Report Share Posted May 24, 2003 I'm a bad ICD patient. I have had my device for 2.75 years and only had it interrogated 5 times. Once going 10 months without an interrogation - becuase I had no need to go, nor did I expect something to go wrong within such a short period of time, with expected life 5+ years. I find it hard to believe that the interrogations would have anything to do with battery drain, as that would be contradictory in my case. If someone has additional information on this I would love to hear it. Re: ICD Replacement... Boy... in reading what you've posted, and listening to an unofficial survey I'm doing w/a group of ICD'ers that I'm in contact w/Medtronic does, so far seem to be the way to go... one fella is still on his original device implanted 7 yrs ago next month... that's the one I want in me ... what you say about the recharge time has been affected by the unit "reforming" itself to check and make certain all is well... that and 3 month interrogations is what's used up my battery/capcitor and I hardly got to do anything w/it but pay for it... now, what I'd like to know is, if they find something defective, what sort of benefit would this be to me, the purchaser? ... by chance might I get a prorated refund like I would on a defective refrigerator or washing machine... which to replace I would not need to go into hsp and have surgery!!!! somehow I seriously doubt it .... but please do continue to post... you really sound like someone in the know... what are your credentials, might I ask?JES > > >> > > > UGH! ... here I go again... I thought when my> > >> > > > second ICD was> > >> > > > implanted in Nov of '98 I wouldn't repeat this> > >> > > > again for 7 yrs...> > >> > > > surprise! ...> > >> >> > >> >> > >> > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 24, 2003 Report Share Posted May 24, 2003 I'm not going to get into a physics lesson, but traditional logic dictates that capacitors have to be cylindrical in shape. Well, Guidant, and other since, have found a way to develop " flat cap " capacitors which are smaller and can be made in different shapes You need to do more research about state of the art caps. Yes, it is true that in the past caps were always cylindrical. This is because with the available materials, a huge surface area was needed to hold the charge. This was acheived by taking a piece of thin metal (think foil) and rolling it tightly. New materials have been found that allow for a greater charge to be held in a smaller surface area. This technology was not developed by guidant themselves it was developed elsewhere in the industry and it has been tested in many other applications. Guidant probably didn't start using this technology until it was pretty well established in other industry. Anyway, if you want to know more about state of the art electronics, my resident electrical engineer/physicist/broadcast engineer will answer almost any tech question I give him. Of course sometimes he answers in words I don't understand! Bridget Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 24, 2003 Report Share Posted May 24, 2003 Thanks for the info Bridget, The only exposure I have to capacitors is with the ICD industry. When Guidant came out with the Prism line they definitely gave the impression that they invented this new technology. Thanks for setting me straight. > You need to do more research about state of the art caps. Yes, it is > true that in the past caps were always cylindrical. This is because > with the available materials, a huge surface area was needed to hold > the charge. This was acheived by taking a piece of thin metal (think > foil) and rolling it tightly. New materials have been found that > allow for a greater charge to be held in a smaller surface area. > This technology was not developed by guidant themselves it was > developed elsewhere in the industry and it has been tested in many > other applications. Guidant probably didn't start using this > technology until it was pretty well established in other industry. > > Anyway, if you want to know more about state of the art electronics, > my resident electrical engineer/physicist/broadcast engineer will > answer almost any tech question I give him. Of course sometimes he > answers in words I don't understand! > > Bridget Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 24, 2003 Report Share Posted May 24, 2003 ----- Original Message ----- From: " Bridget " > > Anyway, if you want to know more about state of the art electronics, > my resident electrical engineer/physicist/broadcast engineer will > answer almost any tech question I give him. Of course sometimes he > answers in words I don't understand! > Bridget: I use the same technique when the wife asks me a questuon about undone household chores. thanks for the tech info, it made me feel a lot better out but industry, especially since I'll be getting a new AICD (probably another Guidant) later this year. Provided I get through my mitreal valve replacement in a few weeks. Best. Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 25, 2003 Report Share Posted May 25, 2003 They probably did develop a cap to meet the specific application, size, shape, capacity, etc. But in all likelihood they were building on the technology of others, not creating new technology. Bridget > Thanks for the info Bridget, The only exposure I have to capacitors is > with the ICD industry. When Guidant came out with the Prism line they > definitely gave the impression that they invented this new technology. > Thanks for setting me straight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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