Electromagnetic interference immune tissue invasive system

• US 7,047,074 B2
• Filed: 02/19/2002
• Issued: 05/16/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/20/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Biophan Technologies Incorporated
• Inventors: MacDonald, Stuart G., Connelly, Patrick R., Greatbatch, Wilson, Weiner, Michael L., Foster, Thomas H., Miller, Victor
• Primary Examiner(s): Getzow, Scott M.
• Application Number:
  US10/077,988
• Publication Number:
  US 20020138113A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,547 Days
• Field of Search: 607 1-156
• US Class Current: 607/36
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/056 Transvascular endocardial electrode systems
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/086 Magnetic resonance imaging [MRI] compatible leads
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3718 Monitoring of or protection against external electromagnetic fields or currents
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37512 Pacemakers
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 33/285 Invasive instruments, e.g. catheters or biopsy needles, specially adapted for tracking, guiding or visualization by NMR
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 33/288 Provisions within MR facilities for enhancing safety during MR, e.g. reduction of the specific absorption rate [SAR], detection of ferromagnetic objects in the scanner room

Abstract

An electromagnetic immune tissue invasive system includes a primary device housing. The primary device housing having a control circuit therein. A shielding is formed around the primary device housing to shield the primary device housing and any circuits therein from electromagnetic interference. A lead system transmits and receives signals between the primary device housing. The lead system is either a fiber optic system or an electrically shielded electrical lead system.

Claims

1. A cardiac assist system, comprising:

a primary device housing;

said primary device housing having a control circuit therein;

a shielding formed around said primary device housing to shield said primary device housing and any circuits therein from electromagnetic interference;

a plurality of electrical leads to transmit and receive signals between a heart and said primary device housing; and

an electrode located on an end of one of said electrical lead;

said electrode having an anti-antenna geometrical shape, said anti-antenna geometrical shape preventing said electrode from picking up and conducting stray electromagnetic interference.

2. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said plurality of electrical leads have a second shielding therearound, said second shielding preventing said electrical leads from conducting stray electromagnetic interference.

3. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 2, wherein said second shielding is a metallic sheath to prevent said electrical leads from conducting stray electromagnetic interference.

4. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 2, wherein said second shielding is a carbon composite sheath to prevent said electrical leads from conducting stray electromagnetic interference.

5. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 2, wherein said second shielding is a polymer composite sheath to prevent said electrical leads from conducting stray electromagnetic interference.

6. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 2, wherein said second shielding is covered with a biocompatible material.

7. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 6, wherein said biocompatible material is a non-permeable diffusion resistant biocompatible material.

8. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said plurality of electrical leads have a second shielding therearound, said second shielding preventing said electrical leads from conducting stray electromagnetic interference.

9. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 8, wherein said second shielding is a metallic sheath to prevent said electrical leads from conducting stray electromagnetic interference.

10. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 8, wherein said second shielding is a carbon composite sheath to prevent said electrical leads from conducting stray electromagnetic interference.

11. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 8, wherein said second shielding is a polymer composite sheath to prevent said electrical leads from conducting stray electromagnetic interference.

12. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 8, wherein said second shielding is covered with a biocompatible material.

13. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 12, wherein said biocompatible material is a non-permeable diffusion resistant biocompatible material.

14. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 1, wherein each electrical lead includes an electrical filter, said electrical filter removing stray electromagnetic interference from a signal being received from said electrical lead.

15. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said plurality of electrical leads have a second shielding therearound, said second shielding preventing said electrical leads from conducting stray electromagnetic interference.

16. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 15, wherein said second shielding is a metallic sheath to prevent said electrical leads from conducting stray electromagnetic interference.

17. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 15, wherein said second shielding is a carbon composite sheath to prevent said electrical leads from conducting stray electromagnetic interference.

18. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 15, wherein said second shielding is a polymer composite sheath to prevent said electrical leads from conducting stray electromagnetic interference.

19. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 15, wherein said second shielding is covered with a biocompatible material.

20. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 19, wherein said biocompatible material is a non-permeable diffusion resistant biocompatible material.

21. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 14, wherein said electrical leads are covered with a biocompatible material.

22. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 21, wherein said biocompatible material is a non-permeable diffusion resistant biocompatible material.

23. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 14, wherein said electrical filter comprises capacitive and inductive filter elements adapted to filter out predetermined frequencies of electromagnetic interference.

24. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said electrical leads are covered with a biocompatible material.

25. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 24, wherein said biocompatible material is a non-permeable diffusion resistant biocompatible material.

26. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said primary device housing includes a microprocessor integrated circuit for controlling the operations of the cardiac assist system.

27. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 26, wherein said primary device housing includes circuitry to detect and isolate cross talk between device pulsing operations and device sensing operations.

28. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 26, wherein said microprocessor integrated selecting a mode of operation for the cardiac assist system based on predetermined sensed parameters.

29. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 26, wherein said microprocessor integrated circuit isolates physiological signals using a noise filtering circuit.

30. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 29, wherein said noise filtering circuit comprises capacitive and inductive filter elements adapted to filter out predetermined frequencies of electromagnetic interference.

31. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 26, wherein said microprocessor integrated circuit isolates physiological signals using digital noise filtering.

32. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 26, wherein the cardiac assist system is implantable and said microprocessor integrated circuit is programmable from a source external of the cardiac assist system.

33. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 26, wherein the cardiac assist system is implantable and said microprocessor integrated circuit provides physiological diagnostics to a source external of the cardiac assist system.

34. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 26, wherein the cardiac assist system is implantable and said microprocessor integrated circuit provides circuit diagnostics to a source external of the cardiac assist system.

35. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 26, wherein the cardiac assist system is implantable and said microprocessor integrated circuit is programmable from a source external of the cardiac assist system and provides circuit diagnostics to a source external of the cardiac assist system.

36. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a battery power source and a battery power source measuring circuit;

said microprocessor integrated circuit automatically adjusting a value for determining an elective replacement indication condition of a battery power source such that the value is automatically adjusted by said microprocessor integrated circuit in response to a measured level of a state of said battery power source, the measured level generated by said battery power source measuring circuit connected to said battery power source.

37. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said electrical leads are unipolar leads.

38. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said electrical leads are bipolar leads.

39. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said electrical leads are a combination of unipolar and bipolar leads.

40. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said lead system includes a sensing and stimulation system at an epicardial-lead interface with a desired anatomical cardiac tissue region.

41. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 40, further comprising a sensing and stimulation system including optical sensing components to detect physiological signals from the desired anatomical cardiac tissue region.

42. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 41, wherein said sensing and stimulation system includes optical pulsing components to deliver a stimulus of a predetermined duration and power to the desired anatomical cardiac tissue region.

43. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 41, wherein said sensing and stimulation system includes electrical pulsing components to deliver a stimulus of a predetermined duration and power to the desired anatomical cardiac tissue region.

44. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 41, wherein said sensing and stimulation system includes optical pulsing components to deliver a stimulus of a predetermined duration and power to the desired anatomical cardiac tissue region and electrical pulsing components to deliver a stimulus of a predetermined duration and power to the desired anatomical cardiac tissue region.

45. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 40, further comprising a sensing and stimulation system including optical sensing components to detect physiological signals from the desired anatomical cardiac tissue region and electrical sensing components to detect physiological signals from the desired anatomical cardiac tissue region.

46. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 45, wherein said sensing and stimulation system includes optical pulsing components to deliver a stimulus of a predetermined duration and power to the desired anatomical cardiac tissue region.

47. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 45, wherein said sensing and stimulation system includes electrical pulsing components to deliver a stimulus of a predetermined duration and power to the desired anatomical cardiac tissue region.

48. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 45, wherein said sensing and stimulation system includes optical pulsing components to deliver a stimulus of a predetermined duration and power to the desired anatomical cardiac tissue region and electrical pulsing components to deliver a stimulus of a predetermined duration and power to the desired anatomical cardiac tissue region.

49. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 40, further comprising a sensing and stimulation system including electrical sensing components to detect physiological signals from the desired anatomical cardiac tissue region.

50. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 49, wherein said sensing and stimulation system includes optical pulsing components to deliver a stimulus of a predetermined duration and power to the desired anatomical cardiac tissue region.

51. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 49, wherein said sensing and stimulation system includes electrical pulsing components to deliver a stimulus of a predetermined duration and power to the desired anatomical cardiac tissue region.

52. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 49, wherein said sensing and stimulation system includes optical pulsing components to deliver a stimulus of a predetermined duration and power to the desired anatomical cardiac tissue region and electrical pulsing components to deliver a stimulus of a predetermined duration and power to the desired anatomical cardiac tissue region.

53. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 40, further comprising a sensing and stimulation system including optical pulsing components to deliver a stimulus of a predetermined duration and power to the desired anatomical cardiac tissue region.

54. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 40, further comprising a sensing and stimulation system including electrical pulsing components to deliver a stimulus of a predetermined duration and power to the desired anatomical cardiac tissue region.

55. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 40, further comprising a sensing and stimulation system including optical pulsing components to deliver a stimulus of a predetermined duration and power to the desired anatomical cardiac tissue region and electrical pulsing components to deliver a stimulus of a predetermined duration and power to the desired anatomical cardiac tissue region.

56. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 40, further comprising a sensing and stimulation system including hydrostatic pressure sensing components to detect physiological signals from the desired anatomical cardiac tissue region.

57. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 1 further comprising:

sensors to detect a heart signal and to produce a sensor signal therefrom; and

a modulator to modulate said sensor signal to differentiate said sensor signal from electromagnetic interference.

58. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

sensors to detect a heart signal and to produce a sensor signal therefrom; and

a sampling circuit to sample said sensor signal multiple times to differentiate said sensor signal from electromagnetic interference, undesirable acoustic signals, large muscle contractions, or extraneous infrared light.

59. A cardiac assist system, comprising:

a primary device housing;

said primary device housing having a control circuit therein;

a plurality of electrical leads to transmit and receive signals between a heart and said primary device housing;

a detection circuit, located in said primary device housing, to detect an electromagnetic interference insult upon the cardiac assist system; and

said control circuit placing the cardiac assist system in an asynchronous mode upon detection of the electromagnetic interference insult by said detection system;

an electrode located on an end of one of said electrical lead;

said electrode having an anti-antenna geometrical shape, said anti-antenna geometrical shape preventing said electrode from picking up and conducting stray electromagnetic interference.

60. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 59, further comprising:

a shielding formed around said primary device housing to shield said primary device housing and any circuits therein from electromagnetic interference.

61. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 60, wherein said shielding is a metallic sheath to shield said primary device housing and any circuits therein from electromagnetic interference.

62. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 60, wherein said shielding is a carbon composite sheath to shield said primary device housing and any circuits therein from electromagnetic interference.

63. The cardiac assist system as chimed in claim 60, wherein said shielding is a polymer composite sheath to shield said primary device housing and any circuits therein from electromagnetic interference.

64. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 60, wherein said shielding is covered with a biocompatible material.

65. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 64, wherein said biocompatible material is a non-permeable diffusion resistant biocompatible material.

66. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 60, wherein said primary device housing includes a microprocessor integrated circuit for controlling the operations of the cardiac assist system.

67. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 66, wherein said primary device housing includes circuitry to detect and isolate cross talk between device pulsing operations and device sensing operations.

68. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 66, wherein the cardiac assist system is implantable and said microprocessor integrated circuit is programmable from a source external of the cardiac assist system.

69. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 66, wherein said microprocessor integrated circuit isolates physiological signals using a noise filtering circuit.

70. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 66, wherein said microprocessor integrated circuit isolates physiological signals using digital noise filtering.

71. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 66, wherein said microprocessor integrated selecting a mode of operation for the cardiac assist system based on predetermined sensed parameters.

72. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 71, wherein said noise filtering circuit comprises capacitive and inductive filter elements adapted to filter out predetermined frequencies of electromagnetic interference.

73. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 66, wherein the cardiac assist system is implantable and said microprocessor integrated circuit provides physiological diagnostics to a source external of the cardiac assist system.

74. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 66, wherein the cardiac assist system is implantable and said microprocessor integrated circuit provides circuit diagnostics to a source external of the cardiac assist system.

75. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 66, wherein the cardiac assist system is implantable and said microprocessor integrated circuit is programmable from a source external of the cardiac assist system and provides circuit diagnostics to a source external of the cardiac assist system.

76. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 60, further comprising a battery power source and a battery power source measuring circuit;

said microprocessor integrated circuit automatically adjusting a value for determining an elective replacement indication condition of a battery power source such that the value is automatically adjusted by said microprocessor integrated circuit in response to a measured level of a state of said battery power source, the measured level generated by said battery power source measuring circuit connected to said battery power source.

77. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 60, wherein said leads system is a combination of a fiber optic based communication system and electrical leads.

78. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 77, wherein said electrical leads are unipolar leads.

79. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 77, wherein said electrical leads are bipolar leads.

80. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 77, wherein said electrical leads are a combination of unipolar and bipolar leads.

81. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 60, further comprising a sensing and stimulation system at an epicardial-lead interface with a desired anatomical cardiac tissue region.

82. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 81, wherein said sensing and stimulation system includes optical sensing components to detect physiological signals from the desired anatomical cardiac tissue region.

83. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 82, wherein said sensing and stimulation system includes optical pulsing components to deliver a stimulus of a predetermined duration and power to the desired anatomical cardiac tissue region.

84. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 82, wherein said sensing and stimulation system includes electrical pulsing components to deliver a stimulus of a predetermined duration and power to the desired anatomical cardiac tissue region.

85. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 82, wherein said sensing and stimulation system includes optical pulsing components to deliver a stimulus of a predetermined duration and power to the desired anatomical cardiac tissue region and electrical pulsing components to deliver a stimulus of a predetermined duration and power to the desired anatomical cardiac tissue region.

86. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 81, wherein said sensing and stimulation system includes optical sensing components to detect physiological signals from the desired anatomical cardiac tissue region and electrical sensing components to detect physiological signals from the desired anatomical cardiac tissue region.

87. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 86, wherein said sensing and stimulation system includes optical pulsing components to deliver a stimulus of a predetermined duration and power to the desired anatomical cardiac tissue region.

88. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 86, wherein said sensing and stimulation system includes electrical pulsing components to deliver a stimulus of a predetermined duration and power to the desired anatomical cardiac tissue region.

89. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 86, wherein said sensing and stimulation system includes optical pulsing components to deliver a stimulus of a predetermined duration and power to the desired anatomical cardiac tissue region and electrical pulsing components to deliver a stimulus of a predetermined duration and power to the desired anatomical cardiac tissue region.

90. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 81, wherein said sensing and stimulation system includes electrical sensing components to detect physiological signals from the desired anatomical cardiac tissue region.

91. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 90, wherein said sensing and stimulation system includes optical pulsing components to deliver a stimulus of a predetermined duration and power to the desired anatomical cardiac tissue region.

92. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 90, wherein said sensing and stimulation system includes electrical pulsing components to deliver a stimulus of a predetermined duration and power to the desired anatomical cardiac tissue region.

93. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 90, wherein said sensing and stimulation system includes optical pulsing components to deliver a stimulus of a predetermined duration and power to the desired anatomical cardiac tissue region and electrical pulsing components to deliver a stimulus of a predetermined duration and power to the desired anatomical cardiac tissue region.

94. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 81, wherein said sensing and stimulation system includes optical pulsing components to deliver a stimulus of a predetermined duration and power to the desired anatomical cardiac tissue region.

95. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 81, wherein said sensing and stimulation system includes electrical pulsing components to deliver a stimulus of a predetermined duration and power to the desired anatomical cardiac tissue region.

96. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 81, wherein said sensing and stimulation system includes optical pulsing components to deliver a stimulus of a predetermined duration and power to the desired anatomical cardiac tissue region and electrical pulsing components to deliver a stimulus of a predetermined duration and power to the desired anatomical cardiac tissue region.

97. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 81, wherein said sensing and stimulation system includes hydrostatic pressure sensing components to detect physiological signals from the desired anatomical cardiac tissue region.

98. The cardiac assist system as chimed in claim 59, wherein said plurality of electrical leads have a second shielding therearound, said second shielding preventing said electrical leads from conducting stray electromagnetic interference.

99. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 98, wherein said second shielding is a metallic sheath to prevent said electrical leads from conducting stray electromagnetic interference.

100. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 98, wherein said second shielding is covered with a biocompatible material.

101. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 100, wherein said biocompatible material is a non-permeable diffusion resistant biocompatible material.

102. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 98, wherein said second shielding is a polymer composite sheath to prevent said electrical leads from conducting stray electromagnetic interference.

103. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 59, wherein said plurality of electrical leads have a second shielding therearound, said second shielding preventing said electrical leads from conducting stray electromagnetic interference.

104. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 103, wherein said second shielding is a metallic sheath to prevent said electrical leads from conducting stray electromagnetic interference.

105. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 103, wherein said second shielding is a carbon composite sheath to prevent said electrical leads from conducting stray electromagnetic interference.

106. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 103, wherein said second shielding is a polymer composite sheath to prevent said electrical leads from conducting stray electromagnetic interference.

107. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 103, wherein said second shielding is covered with a biocompatible material.

108. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 107, wherein said biocompatible material is a non-permeable diffusion resistant biocompatible material.

109. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 59, wherein each electrical lead includes an electrical filter, said electrical filter removing stray electromagnetic interference from a signal being received from said electrical lead.

110. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 109, wherein said plurality of electrical leads have a second shielding therearound, said second shielding preventing said electrical leads from conducting stray electromagnetic interference.

111. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 110, wherein said second shielding is a metallic sheath, to prevent said electrical leads from conducting stray electromagnetic interference.

112. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 110, wherein said second shielding is a carbon composite sheath to prevent said electrical leads from conducting stray electromagnetic interference.

113. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 110, wherein said second shielding is a polymer composite sheath to prevent said electrical leads from conducting stray electromagnetic interference.

114. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 110, wherein said second shielding is covered with a biocompatible material.

115. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 114, wherein said biocompatible material is a non-permeable diffusion resistant biocompatible material.

116. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 109, wherein said electrical leads are covered with a biocompatible material.

117. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 116, wherein said biocompatible material is a non-permeable diffusion resistant biocompatible material.

118. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 109, wherein said electrical filter comprises capacitive and inductive filter elements adapted to filter out predetermined frequencies of electromagnetic interference.

119. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 110, wherein said electrical leads are covered with a biocompatible material.

120. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 119, wherein said biocompatible material is a non-permeable diffusion resistant biocompatible material.

121. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 59, wherein said control circuit places the cardiac assist system in the asynchronous mode for a duration of the electromagnetic interference insult and places the cardiac assist system in a synchronous mode upon detection of an absence of an electromagnetic interference insult by said detection system.

122. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 59, wherein said detection circuit is a thermistor heat detector.

123. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 59, wherein said detection circuit is a high frequency interference detector.

124. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 59, wherein said detection circuit is a high voltage detector.

125. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 59, wherein said detection circuit is an excess current detector.

126. A cardiac assist system, comprising:

a primary device housing;

said primary device housing having a control circuit therein;

a shielding formed around said primary device housing to shield said primary device housing and any circuits therein from electromagnetic interference;

an fiber optic based lead system to receive signals at said primary housing from a heart;

an electrical based lead system to transmit signals to the heart from said primary device housing; and

an electrode located on an end of an electrical lead;

said electrode having an anti-antenna geometrical shape, said anti-antenna geometrical shape preventing said electrode from picking up and conducting stray electromagnetic interference.

127. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 126, wherein said shielding is a metallic sheath to shield said primary device housing and any circuits therein from electromagnetic interference.

128. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 126, wherein said shielding is a carbon composite sheath to shield said primary device housing and any circuits therein from electromagnetic interference.

129. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 126, wherein said shielding is a polymer composite sheath to shield said primary device housing and any circuits therein from electromagnetic interference.

130. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 126, wherein said fiber optic based lead system contains at least one channel within a multi-fiber optic bundle.

131. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 130, wherein said multi-fiber optic bundle is coated with electromagnetic interference resistant material.

132. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 130, wherein said multi-fiber optic bundle is covered with a biocompatible material.

133. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 132, wherein said biocompatible material is a non-permeable diffusion resistant biocompatible material.

134. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 126, wherein said fiber optic based lead system is coated with electromagnetic interference resistant material.

135. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 126, wherein said electrical based lead system comprises a plurality of electrical leads.

136. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 135, wherein said plurality of electrical leads have a second shielding therearound, said second shielding preventing said electrical leads from conducting stray electromagnetic interference.

137. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 136, wherein said second shielding is a metallic sheath to prevent said electrical leads from conducting stray electromagnetic interference.

138. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 136, wherein said second shielding is a carbon composite sheath to prevent said electrical leads from conducting stray electromagnetic interference.

139. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 136, wherein said second shielding is a polymer composite sheath to prevent said electrical leads from conducting stray electromagnetic interference.

140. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 136, wherein said second shielding is covered with a biocompatible material.

141. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 140, wherein said biocompatible material is a non-permeable diffusion resistant biocompatible material.

142. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 135, wherein each electrical lead includes an electrical filter, said electrical filter removing stray electromagnetic interference from a signal being received from said electrical lead.

143. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 142, wherein said electrical filter comprises capacitive and inductive filter elements adapted to filter out predetermined frequencies of electromagnetic interference.

144. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 142, wherein said plurality of electrical leads have a second shielding therearound, said second shielding preventing said electrical leads from conducting stray electromagnetic interference.

145. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 144, wherein said second shielding is covered with a biocompatible material.

146. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 145, wherein said biocompatible material is a non-permeable diffusion resistant biocompatible material.

147. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 144, wherein said second shielding is a metallic sheath to prevent said electrical leads from conducting stray electromagnetic interference.

148. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 144, wherein said second shielding is a carbon composite sheath to prevent said electrical leads from conducting stray electromagnetic interference.

149. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 144, wherein said second shielding is a polymer composite sheath to prevent said electrical leads from conducting stray electromagnetic interference.

150. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 142, wherein said electrical leads are covered with a biocompatible material.

151. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 150, wherein said biocompatible material is a non-permeable diffusion resistant biocompatible material.

152. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 135, wherein said electrical leads are covered with a biocompatible material.

153. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 152, wherein said biocompatible material is a non-permeable diffusion resistant biocompatible material.

154. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 135, wherein said electrical leads are unipolar leads.

155. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 135, wherein said electrical leads are bipolar leads.

156. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 135, wherein said electrical leads are a combination of unipolar and bipolar leads.

157. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 126, wherein said plurality of electrical leads have a second shielding therearound, said second shielding preventing said electrical leads from conducting stray electromagnetic interference.

158. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 157, wherein said second shielding is a metallic sheath to prevent said electrical leads from conducting stray electromagnetic interference.

159. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 157, wherein said second shielding is a carbon composite sheath to prevent said electrical leads from conducting stray electromagnetic interference.

160. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 157, wherein said second shielding is a polymer composite sheath to prevent said electrical leads from conducting stray electromagnetic interference.

161. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 157, wherein said second shielding is covered with a biocompatible material.

162. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 161, wherein said biocompatible material is a non-permeable diffusion resistant biocompatible material.

163. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 126, wherein said shielding is covered with a biocompatible material.

164. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 163, wherein said biocompatible material is a non-permeable diffusion resistant biocompatible material.

165. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 126, wherein said fiber optic based lead system is covered with a biocompatible material.

166. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 165, wherein said biocompatible material is a non-permeable diffusion resistant biocompatible material.

167. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 126, wherein said electrical leads are covered with a biocompatible material.

168. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 167, wherein said biocompatible material is a non-permeable diffusion resistant biocompatible material.

169. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 126, wherein said fiber optic based lead system includes a sensing and stimulation system at an epicardial-lead interface with a desired anatomical cardiac tissue region.

170. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 169, wherein said sensing and stimulation system includes hydrostatic pressure sensing components to detect physiological signals from the desired anatomical cardiac tissue region.

171. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 169, wherein said sensing and stimulation system includes optical sensing components to detect physiological signals from the desired anatomical cardiac tissue region.

172. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 169, wherein said sensing and stimulation system includes electrical sensing components to detect physiological signals from the desired anatomical cardiac tissue region and electrooptical converting devices to convert the detected electrical signals to optical signals.

173. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 171, wherein said optical sensing components detect physiological signals by measuring a displacement of a mirror.

174. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 171, wherein said optical sensing components detect physiological signals by measuring a change in a refractive index of a section of cladding.

175. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 171, wherein said optical sensing component is an optical strain gauge to detect physiological signals.

176. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 171, wherein said optical sensing component is an optical-pressure sensor to detect physiological signals.

177. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 176, wherein said optical-pressure sensor includes a hollow porous sheath.

178. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 126, wherein said electrical based lead system includes a sensing and stimulation system at an epicardial-lead interface with a desired anatomical cardiac tissue region.

179. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 178, wherein said sensing and stimulation system includes electrical pulsing components to deliver a stimulus of a predetermined duration and power to the desired anatomical cardiac tissue region.

180. A cardiac assist system, comprising:

a primary device housing;

said primary device housing having a control circuit therein;

a shielding formed around said primary device housing to shield said primary device housing and any circuits therein from electromagnetic interference;

a fiber optic based lead system to receive signals at said primary housing from a heart and to transmit signals to the heart from said primary device housing; and

an electrode operatively connected to said fiber optic based lead systems said electrode having an anti-antenna geometrical shape, said anti-antenna geometrical shape preventing said electrode from picking up and conducting stray electromagnetic interference.

181. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 180, wherein said primary device housing further includes an electronic signal generator and a controlled laser light pulse generator linked to said electronic signal generator;

said fiber optic based lead system including,

a fiber optic light pipe for receiving the laser light pulse from said controlled laser light pulse generator at a proximal end of said fiber optic light pipe,

a photodiode, at a distal end of said fiber optic light pipe, to convert the laser light pulse back into an electrical pulse, and

electrically driven cardiac electrodes coupled to said photodiode and to a cardiac muscle.

182. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 180, wherein said shielding is a metallic sheath to shield said primary device housing and any circuits therein from electromagnetic interference.

183. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 180, wherein said shielding is a carbon composite sheath to shield said primary device housing and any circuits therein from electromagnetic interference.

184. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 180, wherein said shielding is a polymer composite sheath to shield said primary device housing and any circuits therein from electromagnetic interference.

185. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 180, wherein said fiber optic based lead system contains at least one channel within a multi-fiber optic bundle.

186. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 185, wherein said multi-fiber optic bundle is coated with electromagnetic interference resistant material.

187. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 185, wherein said multi-fiber optic bundle is covered with a biocompatible material.

188. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 187, wherein said biocompatible material is a non-permeable diffusion resistant biocompatible material.

189. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 180, wherein said fiber optic based lead system with electromagnetic interference resistant material.

190. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 180, wherein said shielding is covered with a biocompatible material.

191. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 190, wherein said biocompatible material is a non-permeable diffusion resistant biocompatible material.

192. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 180, wherein said fiber optic based lead system is covered with a biocompatible material.

193. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 192, wherein said biocompatible material is a non-permeable diffusion resistant biocompatible material.

194. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 180, wherein said fiber optic based lead system includes a sensing and stimulation system at an epicardial-lead interface with a desired anatomical cardiac tissue region.

195. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 194, wherein said sensing and stimulation system includes hydrostatic pressure sensing components to detect physiological signals from the desired anatomical cardiac tissue region.

196. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 194, wherein said sensing and stimulation system includes optical sensing components to detect physiological signals from the desired anatomical cardiac tissue region.

197. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 196, wherein said optical sensing components detect physiological signals by measuring a displacement of a mirror.

198. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 196, wherein said optical sensing components detect physiological signals by measuring a change in a refractive index of a section of cladding.

199. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 196, wherein said optical sensing component is an optical strain gauge to detect physiological signals.

200. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 196, wherein said optical sensing component is an optical-pressure sensor to detect physiological signals.

201. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 200, wherein said optical-pressure sensor includes a hollow porous sheath.

202. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 194, wherein said sensing and stimulation system includes electrical sensing components to detect physiological signals from the desired anatomical cardiac tissue region and electro-optical converting devices to convert the detected electrical signals to optical signals.

203. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 194, wherein said sensing and stimulation system includes optical pulsing components to deliver a stimulus of a predetermined duration and power to the desired anatomical cardiac tissue region.

204. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 203, wherein said optical pulsing components include an opto-electrical circuit for converting a light signal into an electrical signal, said electrical signal being delivered as a stimulus of a predetermined duration and power to the desired anatomical cardiac tissue region.

205. A cardiac assist system, comprising:

a primary device housing including a power supply and a light source;

said primary device housing having a control circuit therein;

a shielding formed around said primary device housing to shield said primary device housing and any circuits therein from electromagnetic interference;

a cardiac assist device associated with a heart;

a photonic lead system to transmit between said primary device housing and the cardiac assist device, both power and control signals in the form of light; and

an electrode operatively connected to said cardiac assist device;

said electrode having an anti-antenna geometrical shape, said anti-antenna geometrical shape preventing said electrode from picking up and conducting stray electromagnetic interference.

206. The cardiac assist system of claim 205, wherein said cardiac assist device includes:

a photoresponsive device for converting the light transmitted by the photonic lead system into electrical energy, and for sensing variations in the light energy to produce control signals;

a charge accumulating device for receiving and storing the electrical energy produced by the photoresponsive device; and

a discharge control device, responsive to the control signals, for directing the stored electrical energy from the charge accumulating device to the cardiac assist device associated with the heart.

207. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 206, wherein said discharge control device is a controllable switch.

208. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 206, wherein said charge accumulating device is a rechargeable battery.

209. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 206, wherein said charge accumulating device is a capacitor.

210. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 206, wherein said photoresponsive device is a small surface area photodiode and a large surface area photodiode, said small surface area photodiode sensing variations in the light energy to produce control signals, said large surface area photodiode converting the light transmitted by said photonic lead system into electrical energy.

211. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 206, wherein said photoresponsive device is an array of photodiodes having a first section of photodiodes and a second section of photodiodes, said first section of photodiodes sensing variations in the light energy to produce control signals, said second section of photodiodes converting the light transmitted by said photonic lead system into electrical energy.

212. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 206, wherein said photoresponsive device includes a charge transfer control circuit and a photodiode, said charge transfer control circuit controlling a discharging of a photodiode capacitance in two separate discharge periods during an integration period of the photodiode such that a first discharge period of the photodiode capacitance provides the sensing of variations in the light energy to produce control signals and a second discharge period of the photodiode capacitance provides the converting the light transmitted by said photonic lead system into electrical energy.

213. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 212, wherein the first discharge period is completed before the second discharge period.

214. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 212, wherein the first discharge period is a shorter time duration that the time duration of the second discharge period.

215. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 212, wherein the integration period corresponds to the sampling period of the light to derive control data.

216. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 212, wherein during the first discharge period, a control signal sensing circuit is connected to said photodiode, and during the second discharge period, said charge accumulating device is connected to said photodiode.

217. The cardiac assist system as claimed in claim 98, wherein said second shielding is a carbon composite sheath to prevent said electrical leads from conducting stray electromagnetic interference.