Selectively connecting the tip electrode during therapy for MRI shielding
First Claim
1. A medical device, comprising:
- a pulse generator configured to emit one or more therapy pulses;
a lead including an electrode configured to contact body tissue in a body vessel and a lead conductor connecting the pulse generator with the electrode via a conductive path;
an electrode switch electrically coupled between the lead conductor and the electrode, the electrode switch including an open state preventing the conductive path between the lead conductor and the electrode, the electrode switch including a closed state allowing formation of the conductive path between the lead conductor and the electrode upon reception of a voltage applied across the electrode switch which exceeds a threshold voltage, wherein the electrode switch comprises a threshold controller and a control line connecting the threshold controller to the pulse generator, and wherein the threshold controller is configured to receive at least one signal from the pulse generator to adjust the threshold voltage to another threshold voltage; and
wherein the electrode switch in the open state is configured to electrically shield the electrode from at least electromagnetic radiation and induced voltages during magnetic resonance imaging.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A medical device includes a pulse generator and an electrode configured to contact tissue in a body vessel. The medical device includes a lead that includes a lead connector. The lead connector connects a pulse generator with an electrode via a conductive path. An electrode switch is electrically connected between the lead conductor and the electrode. The electrode switch includes an open state preventing the conductive path between the lead and the electrode. The electrode switch includes a closed state establishing the conductive path between the lead and the electrode when a voltage is applied across the electrode switch that exceeds a threshold voltage. The electrode switch in the open state electrically shields the electrode from electromagnetic radiation and induced voltages during magnetic resonance imaging.
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Citations
13 Claims
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1. A medical device, comprising:
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a pulse generator configured to emit one or more therapy pulses; a lead including an electrode configured to contact body tissue in a body vessel and a lead conductor connecting the pulse generator with the electrode via a conductive path; an electrode switch electrically coupled between the lead conductor and the electrode, the electrode switch including an open state preventing the conductive path between the lead conductor and the electrode, the electrode switch including a closed state allowing formation of the conductive path between the lead conductor and the electrode upon reception of a voltage applied across the electrode switch which exceeds a threshold voltage, wherein the electrode switch comprises a threshold controller and a control line connecting the threshold controller to the pulse generator, and wherein the threshold controller is configured to receive at least one signal from the pulse generator to adjust the threshold voltage to another threshold voltage; and wherein the electrode switch in the open state is configured to electrically shield the electrode from at least electromagnetic radiation and induced voltages during magnetic resonance imaging. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method for monitoring a voltage applied across a switch, said method comprising:
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monitoring a voltage across an electrode switch electrically coupled between a lead and an electrode, the electrode configured to contact tissue in a body vessel, the lead connecting a pulse generator with the electrode via a conductive path, the electrode switch including a threshold controller and a control line connecting the threshold controller to the pulse generator; providing at least one signal from the pulse generator to the threshold controller to set a threshold voltage of the electrode switch; switching the electrode switch to an open state when the monitored voltage across the electrode switch is at or below the voltage threshold, the open state of the electrode switch preventing formation of the conductive path between the lead and the electrode; switching the electrode switch to a closed state when the monitored voltage across the electrode switch exceeds the voltage threshold, the closed state of the electrode switch allowing formation of the conductive path between the lead and the electrode; and wherein the electrode switch in the open state is configured to electrically shield the electrode from at least electromagnetic radiation and induced voltages during magnetic resonance imaging. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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Specification