Sensor/lead systems for use with implantable medical devices
First Claim
1. A lead for use with an implantable medical device for implant within patient tissue, the lead comprising:
- a stimulation electrode fitted to be positioned adjacent patient tissue;
a conductor operative to conduct electrical current from the implantable medical device through the lead to the stimulation electrode, the current returning to the implantable medical device along a return conduction path; and
a sensor disposed within the lead and connected between the conductor and the return conduction path so that the sensor and the stimulation electrode are connected in parallel between the conductor and the return path;
wherein the sensor is configured to be activated only in response to enhanced pacing pulses which exceed an activation threshold and wherein the stimulation electrode is configured to be activated only in response to pacing pulses which are below the activation threshold such that current is selectively directed either through the stimulation electrode or through the sensor.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
Techniques are provided for equipping sensing/pacing leads with physiological sensors without requiring additional conductors within the leads. In a bipolar lead example for use with a pacemaker, a sensor is connected between tip and ring conductors of the lead. The sensor is configured to be activated only in response to enhanced pacing pulse (EPPs) having magnitudes or durations greater than typical pacing pulses or in response to impedance detection pulses (IMPs). In a unipolar example, the sensor is connected to the tip conductor and includes an output terminal on the external housing of the lead for providing a return current path to the pacemaker. The sensor of the unipolar lead is likewise configured to respond only to EPPs or IMPs. In other examples, the sensors are configured to be fitted to the external housing of the lead and to derive power from the lead via electromagnetic induction. Still other examples include actuators rather than sensors.
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Citations
13 Claims
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1. A lead for use with an implantable medical device for implant within patient tissue, the lead comprising:
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a stimulation electrode fitted to be positioned adjacent patient tissue; a conductor operative to conduct electrical current from the implantable medical device through the lead to the stimulation electrode, the current returning to the implantable medical device along a return conduction path; and a sensor disposed within the lead and connected between the conductor and the return conduction path so that the sensor and the stimulation electrode are connected in parallel between the conductor and the return path; wherein the sensor is configured to be activated only in response to enhanced pacing pulses which exceed an activation threshold and wherein the stimulation electrode is configured to be activated only in response to pacing pulses which are below the activation threshold such that current is selectively directed either through the stimulation electrode or through the sensor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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Specification