Isolating lead conductor for fault detection

摘要

Systems and methods for providing a cardiac stimulus device lead having fault tolerance and fault isolation are disclosed. A medical electrical lead is provided according to one aspect. According to one embodiment, the lead includes a first conductor and a second conductor for transmitting an electrical pulse from a pulse generator. The lead further includes a switching mechanism, a first electrode, and a lead assessment circuit. The switching mechanism selectively couples the first conductor to the first electrode. The first electrode is decoupled during a test phase and the switching mechanism directly couples the first conductor to the second conductor. The lead assessment circuit processes a signal associated with the electrical properties of the lead to determine whether the lead is exhibiting a lead related condition.

主权项

1. A medical electrical lead-electrode system, comprising:
a stimulus therapy generator; an electrode for interfacing with tissue of a patient; a first conductor having a first distal end connected to the tissue interface electrode and a first proximal end connected to the stimulus therapy generator; a second conductor having a second proximal end connected to the stimulus therapy generator; means for isolating the first distal end of said first conductor from the tissue interface electrode and for coupling said first distal end to the second distal end of said second conductor, wherein the stimulus therapy generator generates a signal for transmission through the first and second conductor; and a signal processor for receiving the signal propagated through the first and second conductors.