Switched diverter circuits for minimizing heating of an implanted lead and/or providing EMI protection in a high power electromagnetic field environment

• US 8,509,913 B2
• Filed: 01/12/2010
• Issued: 08/13/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 04/13/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Greatbatch Limited (Greatbatch Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Greatbatch Limited (Greatbatch Incorporated)
• Inventors: Johnson, Robert Shawn, Dabney, Warren S., Stevenson, Robert A., Williams, Christopher Michael, Moschiano, Holly Noelle, Brainard, Scott, Kaiser, Daniel Robert, Halperin, Henry R., Lardo, Albert C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Layno, Carl H
• Assistant Examiner(s): Morales, Jon Eric C
• Application Number:
  US12/686,272
• Publication Number:
  US 20100168821A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,309 Days
• Field of Search: 607/2, 607/9, 607/45, 607/48, 607/63
• US Class Current: 607/63
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/02 by cooling, e.g. cryogenic techniques devices for cooling specific reflex points of the body within cell-life limits A61H39/06
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1492 having a flexible, catheter-like structure, e.g. for heart ablation A61B18/1477 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00839 Bioelectrical parameters, e.g. ECG, EEG
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1293 having means to prevent interference
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/147 Electrodes transferring energy by capacitive coupling, i.e. with a dielectricum between electrode and target tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/374 NMR or MRI
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/055 involving electronic [EMR] or nuclear [NMR] magnetic resonance, e.g. magnetic resonance imaging
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/283 Invasive
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7203 for noise prevention, reduction or removal
• 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: G01R 33/285 Invasive instruments, e.g. catheters or biopsy needles, specially adapted for tracking, guiding or visualization by NMR
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 33/286 involving passive visualization of interventional instruments, i.e. making the instrument visible as part of the normal MR process

Abstract

An energy management system that facilitates the transfer of high frequency energy induced on an implanted lead or a leadwire includes an energy dissipating surface associated with the implanted lead or the leadwire, a diversion or diverter circuit associated with the energy dissipating surface, and at least one switch for diverting energy in the implanted lead or the leadwire through the diversion circuit to the energy dissipating surface. In alternate configurations, the switch may be disposed between the implanted lead or the leadwire and the diversion circuit, or disposed so that it electrically opens the implanted lead or the leadwire when diverting energy through the diversion circuit to the energy dissipating surface. The switch may comprise a single or multi-pole double or single throw switch. The diversion circuit may be either a high pass filter or a low pass filter.

Claims

1. An active implantable medical device (AIMD), comprising:

a) a conductive device housing for the AIMD, the housing containing tissue-stimulating or biological-sensing circuits connected to a first electrical switch point;

b) a second electrical switch point that is electrically connectable to an electrode configured for tissue stimulating or biological-sensing;

c) an energy dissipating surface provided by the device housing as a third electrical point;

d) at least one diversion circuit electrically connecting between a fourth electrical switch point and the third electrical point at the energy dissipating surface; and

e) at least one switch that is actuatable in response to a magnetic resonance B₀ field sensor to electrically connect the first electrical switch point at the tissue-stimulating or biological-sensing circuits for the AIMD to the second electrical switch point in the absence of an MRI B₀ static magnetic;

field and, in the presence of a static magnetic field, to electrically disconnect the second electrical switch point from the first electrical switch point and to connect the second electrical switch point to the fourth electrical switch point at the diversion circuit connected to the third electrical point at the energy dissipating surface,

f) wherein with the switch electrically connecting the second electrical switch point to the fourth electrical switch point at the diversion circuit and at relatively high frequencies attendant to the AIMD being subjected to an MRI RF pulse field, the diversion circuit acts as a relatively low impedance circuit from the fourth electrical switch point to the third electrical point at the energy dissipating surface, and

g) wherein with the switch electrically connecting the second electrical switch point to the fourth electrical switch point at the diversion circuit and at relatively low frequencies attendant to the AMID being subjected to an MRI gradient field, the diversion circuit acts as a relatively high impedance circuit between the fourth electrical switch point and the third electrical point at the energy dissipating surface.

2. The active implantable medical device of claim 1 wherein the switch comprises a single or multi-pole double throw switch.

3. The active implantable medical device of claim 1 wherein the switch is selected from the group consisting of a MEMS switch, a mechanical switch, a reed switch, an electronic switch, a programmable switch, an automatically actuated switch, a Hall Effect switch, and a field, effect transistor (FET) switch.

4. The active implantable medical device of claim 1 wherein the diversion circuit further comprises a low pass or a high pass filter.

5. The active implantable medical device of claim 4, wherein the low pass filter is selected from the group consisting of a capacitor, an inductor, a Pi Filter, a T filter, an LL filter, and an “

n”

element filter.

6. The active implantable medical device of claim 5, wherein the diversion circuit comprises a unipolar or multipolar feedthrough capacitor.

7. The active implantable medical device of claim 1 wherein the diversion circuit comprises at least one series resonant LC trap filter.

8. The active implantable medical device of claim 7, wherein the diversion circuit comprises a plurality of L-C trap filters in parallel with each other and in series between the third electrical point and the fourth electrical switch point, wherein the L-C trap filters are resonant, respectively, at different MRI frequencies.

9. The active implantable medical device of claim 1 selected from the group consisting of an implantable hearing device, a neurostimulator, a brain stimulator, a cardiac pacemaker, a left ventricular assist device, an artificial heart, a drug pump, a bone growth stimulator, a urinary incontinence device, a probe, a catheter, a spinal cord stimulator, an anti-tremor stimulator, an implantable cardioverter defibrillator, a congestive heart failure device, and a cardio resynchronization therapy device.

10. The active implantable medical device of claim 1, wherein the second electrical switch, point is electrically connectable to an implantable lead comprising at least one leadwire having a length extending between and to a proximal, end electrically connectable to the medical device including the tissue-stimulating or biological sensing circuits and an electrode configured for tissue-stimulating or biological-sensing at or near a distal end of the leadwire.

11. The active implantable medical device of claim 10, wherein the energy dissipating surface is disposed at a point, or an area spaced from the electrode.

12. The active implantable medical device of claim 11, wherein the energy dissipating surface is configured to be disposed within the blood flow of a patient.

13. The active implantable medical device of claim 1, wherein the device housing providing the energy dissipating surface comprises convolutions or fins for increasing the surface area thereof.

14. The active implantable medical device of claim 1, wherein the device housing providing the energy dissipating surface includes a roughened surface.

15. The active implantable medical device of claim 14, wherein the roughened surface is formed from at least one of the group consisting of plasma, or chemical etching, porous or fractal coatings or surfaces, whiskers, morphologically designed columnar structures, vapor, electron beam or sputter deposition of a high surface area energy conductive material, and carbon nanotubes.

16. The active implantable medical device of claim 1, wherein the energy dissipating surface comprises at least a portion of a probe or a catheter handle.

17. The active implantable medical device of claim 1 wherein the diversion circuit is mounted within the housing.

18. The active implantable medical device of claim 17, wherein the housing is hermetically sealed.

19. The active implantable medical device of claim 1, wherein the energy dissipating surface comprises a material capable of being visualized during a magnetic resonance scan.

20. The active implantable medical device of claim 1, wherein the energy dissipating surface includes a biomimetic coating.

21. The active implantable medical device of claim 1 wherein the diversion circuit is disposed within a header block for the AIMD.

22. The active implantable medical device of claim 1 wherein at relatively high frequencies attendant to the AIMD being subjected to an MRI RF pulse field, the diversion circuit acts as a short from the leadwire to the energy dissipating surface, and at relatively low frequencies attendant to the medical device being subjected to an MRI gradient field, the diversion circuit acts as an open circuit between the leadwire and the energy dissipating surface.

23. The active implantable medical device of claim 1 wherein the magnetic B₀ field sensor actuates in the presence of a static field of at least 0.5 Tesla.

24. An active implantable medical device (AIMD), comprising:

a) a conductive device housing for the AIMD, the housing containing tissue-stimulating or biological-sensing circuits;

b) an implantable lead comprising at least one leadwire having a length extending between and to a proximal end electrically connected to the medical device including the tissue-stimulating or biological-sensing circuits and an electrode configured for tissue-stimulating or biological-sensing at or near a distal end of the leadwire;

c) an energy dissipating surface provided by the device housing;

d) at least one diversion circuit electrically connected to the device housing; and

e) at least one switch that is actuatable in response to a magnetic resonance B₀ field sensor to electrically connect the leadwire to the tissue-stimulating or biological-sensing circuits for the AIMD in the absence of an MRI B₀ static magnetic field and, in the presence of an MRI B static magnetic field, to electrically disconnect the leadwire from the tissue-stimulating or biological-sensing circuits and to connect the leadwire to the energy dissipating surface,

f) wherein in the presence of an MRI B₀ static magnetic field the switch electrically connects the leadwire to the diversion circuit such that;

i) at relatively high frequencies attendant to the AIMD being subjected to an MRI RF pulse field, the diversion circuit acts as a relatively low impedance circuit between the leadwire to the energy dissipating surface, and

ii) at relatively low frequencies attendant to the medical device being subjected to an MRI gradient field, the diversion circuit acts as a relatively high impedance circuit between the leadwire and the energy dissipating surface.

25. The active implantable medical device of claim 24 wherein the implantable lead or the leadwire has impedance characteristics at a selected RF frequency or frequency band, and wherein the diversion circuit has impedance characteristics at least partially tuned to the impedance characteristics of the implantable lead or the leadwire.

26. The active implantable medical device of claim 25, wherein the selected RF frequency or frequency band comprises an MRI frequency.

27. The active implantable medical device of claim 26, wherein the MRI frequency comprises a range of MRI frequencies.

28. The active implantable medical device of claim 25, wherein the diversion circuit has a reactance that is vectorially opposite to the characteristic reactance of the implantable lead.

29. The active implantable medical device of claim 28, wherein the diversion circuit has a capacitive reactance that is generally equal and opposite to the characteristic inductive reactance of the implantable lead.

30. The active implantable medical device of claim 25, wherein the capacitive reactance and the inductive reactance each have a resistor component.

31. The active implantable medical device of claim 24 wherein the energy dissipating surface is spaced from the electrode and selected from the group consisting essentially of a sheath, a conductive body, and a thermally conductive element.

32. The active implantable medical device of claim 24 wherein the implantable lead comprises at least a pair of leadwires, each having a length extending between and to a proximal end and a tissue-stimulating or biological-sensing electrode.

33. The active implantable medical device of claim 32, wherein the diversion circuit electrically couples the energy dissipating surface to a point or an area distant from each of the electrodes.

34. The active implantable medical device of claim 24 comprising a deep brain stimulator.

35. The active implantable medical device of claim 34, wherein the housing is adapted for mounting in thermal communication with a patient'"'"'s skull.

36. The active implantable medical device of claim 34, further comprising an electrode shaft assembly having a proximal end carried by the housing, the at least one lead extending through the electrode shaft assembly and having a distal tip end electrode for contacting patient brain tissue.

37. The active implantable medical device of claim 24 further comprising means for hermetically sealed mounting of the energy dissipating surface along the lead between the proximal and distal ends thereof, the hermetically sealed means defining a chamber having the diversion circuit mounted therein.

38. The active implantable medical device of claim 37, wherein the lead comprises a first lead having at least one electrode at a distal end thereof, and a second lead having at least one electrode at a distal end thereof, the first and second leads each having the energy dissipating surface disposed in hermetically sealed relation therewith and extending through the chamber, the diversion circuit coupling the first and second leads to the energy dissipating surface.

39. The active implantable medical device of claim 38, wherein the diversion circuit comprises a unipolar or multipolar feedthrough capacitor.

40. The implantable medical device of claim 24 wherein the energy dissipating surface comprises a handle of a probe or a catheter.

41. The active implantable medical device of claim 40, wherein the electrode comprises an ablation tip electrode.

42. The active implantable medical device of claim 41, further comprising a probe housing having the ablation tip electrode at or near a distal end thereof, wherein the energy dissipating surface is disposed at a point or an area distant from the ablation tip electrode, the diversion circuit configured to divert high frequency energy away from the ablation tip electrode to the energy dissipating surface.

43. The active implantable medical device of claim 42 comprising a first lead having the ablation tip electrode at or near a distal end thereof, at least one second lead having a ring electrode at or near a distal end thereof, the diversion, circuit diverting high frequency energy away from the ablation tip and ring electrodes to the energy dissipating surface.

44. The active implantable medical device of claim 24 wherein the switch is connected to tissue-stimulating or biological-sensing circuits and wherein when in the presence of an MRI B₀ static magnetic field, the switch disconnects the implantable leadwire from the tissue-stimulating or biological-sensing circuits and also connects the leadwire to the diversion circuit without substantial degradation of transfer of the high frequency energy induced on the leadwire at the selected RF frequency or frequency band to the energy dissipating surface.

45. The active implantable medical device of claim 24 wherein the diverter circuit comprises a capacitor.

46. The active implantable medical device of claim 45, wherein the diversion circuit further comprises a series capacitor as a high pass filter.

47. The active implantable medical device of claim 45 wherein the diversion circuit further comprises an LC trap filter as a high pass filter.

48. The active implantable medical device of claim 24 wherein the diversion circuit is disposed at or adjacent to the proximal end of the implantable lead.

49. The active implantable medical device of claim 24 wherein the diversion circuit is disposed in a proximal lead connector.

50. The active implantable medical device of claim 24 including an EMI shield conductively coupled to the housing and coaxially extending about the leadwire disposed inside the housing in non-conductive relation thereto and wherein the diversion circuit is conductively coupled to the EMI shield.

51. The active implantable medical device of claim 24 wherein at relatively high frequencies attendant to the AIMD being subjected to an MRI RF pulse field, the diversion, circuit acts as a short between the leadwire to the energy dissipating surface, and at relatively low frequencies attendant to the medical device being subjected to an MRI gradient field, the diversion circuit acts as an open circuit between the leadwire and the energy dissipating surface.

52. The active implantable medical device of claim 24 wherein the magnetic B₀ field sensor actuates in the presence of a static field of at least 0.5 Tesla.

53. An active implantable medical device (AIMD), comprising:

a) a conductive device housing for the AIMD, the housing containing tissue-stimulating or biological-sensing circuits;

b) an implantable lead comprising at least one leadwire having a length extending between and to a proximal end electrically connected to the medical device including the tissue-stimulating or biological-sensing circuits and an electrode configured for tissue-stimulating or biological-sensing at or near a distal end of the leadwire;

c) an energy dissipating surface provided by the device housing;

d) at least one diversion circuit electrically connected to the energy dissipating surface; and

e) at least one switch that is selectively actuatable in response to programmable telemetry to electrically connect the leadwire to the tissue-stimulating or biological-sensing circuits for the AIMD in the absence of an MRI B₀ static magnetic field and, in the presence of an MRI B₀ static magnetic field, to electrically connect the leadwire to the diversion circuit connected to the energy dissipating surface,

f) wherein in the presence of an MRI B₀ static magnetic field with the switch electrically connecting the leadwire to the diversion circuit and;

i) at relatively high frequencies attendant to the AIMD being subjected to an MRI RF pulse field, the diversion circuit acts as a relatively low impedance circuit between the leadwire to the energy dissipating surface, and

ii) at relatively low frequencies attendant to the medical device being subjected to an MRI gradient field, the diversion circuit acts as an a relatively high impedance circuit between the leadwire and the energy dissipating surface.

54. The active implantable medical device of claim 53 wherein the magnetic B₀ field sensor actuates in the presence of a static field of at least 0.5 Tesla.

55. An active implantable medical device (AIMD), comprising:

a) a conductive device housing containing tissue-stimulating or biological-sensing circuits;

b) an energy dissipating surface provided by the device housing;

c) at least one frequency variable impedance diversion circuit electrically connected to the device housing; and

d) at least one switch that is actuatable in response to a magnetic resonance B₀ field sensor to electrically connect a terminal for an implantable lead to the tissue-stimulating or biological-sensing circuits for the AIMD in the absence of an MRI B₀ static magnetic field and, in the presence of an MRI B₀ static magnetic field, to electrically disconnect the terminal from the tissue-stimulating or biological-sensing circuits and to connect the terminal for the implantable lead to the diversion circuit connected to the energy dissipating surface,

e) wherein in the presence of a static magnetic field with the switch electrically connecting the terminal to the diversion circuit and;

i) at relatively high frequencies attendant to the AIMD being subjected to an MRI RF pulse field, the diversion circuit acts as a relatively low impedance circuit between the terminal and the energy dissipating surface, and

ii) at relatively low frequencies attendant to the AIMD being subjected to an MRI gradient field, the diversion circuit acts as a relatively high impedance circuit between the terminal and the energy dissipating surface.

56. The active implantable medical device of claim 55 wherein the energy dissipating surface comprises at least a portion of a handle for a probe or catheter.

57. The active implantable medical device of claim 55 wherein the magnetic B₀ field sensor actuates in the presence of a static field of at least 0.5 Tesla.

58. An implantable medical device (AIMD), comprising:

a) a conductive device housing for the AIMD, the housing containing tissue-stimulating or biological-sensing circuits at a first electrical switch point;

b) a second electrical switch point that is electrically connectable to an electrode configured for tissue-stimulating or biological-sensing;

c) an energy dissipating surface provided by the device housing as a third electrical point; and

d) at least one switch that is actuatable in response to a magnetic resonance B₀ field sensor to electrically connect the first electrical switch point at the tissue-stimulating or biological-sensing circuits for the AIMD to the second electrical switch point in the absence of an MRI B₀ static magnetic field and, in the presence of an MRI B₀ static magnetic field, to electrically disconnect the second electrical switch point from the first electrical switch point and to directly short the second electrical, switch point to the third electrical point at the device housing serving as the energy dissipating surface.

59. The implantable medical device of claim 58 wherein the switch comprises a single or multi-pole double throw switch.

60. The implantable medical device of claim 58 wherein the switch is selected from the group consisting of a MEMS switch, a mechanical switch, a reed switch, an electronic switch, a programmable switch, an automatically actuated switch, a Hall Effect switch, and a field effect transistor (FET) switch.

61. The implantable medical device of claim 58 selected from the group consisting of an implantable hearing device, a neurostimulator, a brain stimulator, a cardiac pacemaker, a left ventricular assist device, an artificial heart, a drug pump, a bone growth stimulator, a urinary incontinence device, a probe, a catheter, a spinal cord stimulator, an anti-tremor stimulator, an implantable cardioverter defibrillator, a congestive heart failure device, and a cardio resynchronization therapy device.

62. The implantable medical device of claim 58 wherein the second electrical switch point is electrically connectable to an implantable lead comprising at least one leadwire having a length extending between and to a proximal end electrically connectable to the medical device including the tissue-stimulating or biological-sensing circuits and an electrode configured for tissue-stimulating or biological-sensing at or near a distal end of the leadwire.

63. The active implantable medical device of claim 58 wherein the magnetic B₀ field sensor actuates in the presence of a static field of at least 0.5 Tesla.

64. A switched diverter circuit for a medical device, the switched diverter circuit comprising:

a) a magnetic resonance B₀ field sensor;

b) a first conductor that is connectable to an energy dissipating surface for an active implantable medical device (AIMD);

c) at least one circuit that is electrically connected to an opposite end of the first conductor; and

d) at least one switch that is actuatable in response to a magnetic resonance B₀ field sensor to;

i) in the absence of an MRI B₀ static magnetic field, electrically connect from a second conductor that is connectable to a lead terminal for an implantable lead to a third conductor that is electrically connectable to tissue-stimulating or biological-sensing circuits for an AIMD, and

ii) in the presence of an MRI B₀ static magnetic field, electrically disconnects the second conductor from the third conductor and electrically connects the second conductor, which is connectable to a lead terminal, to a fourth conductor that is electrically connected to the diversion circuit opposite the first conductor that is electrically connectable to the energy dissipating surface,

e) wherein in the presence of an MRI B₀ static magnetic field with the switch electrically connecting the leadwire to the diversion circuit and;

i) at relatively high frequencies attendant to the switched diverter circuit being subjected to an MRI RF pulse field, the diversion circuit shorts the leadwire to the energy dissipating surface, and

ii) at relatively low frequencies attendant to the switched diverter circuit being subjected to an MRI gradient field, the diversion circuit acts as an open circuit between the leadwire and the energy dissipating surface.

65. The active implantable medical device of claim 64 wherein the magnetic B₀ field sensor actuates in the presence of a static field of at least 0.5 Tesla.

66. A switched diverter circuit, comprising:

a) a magnetic resonance B₀ field, sensor;

b) a first electrical point that is connectable to an energy dissipating surface provided by a housing for an active implantable medical device (AIMD);

c) at least one frequency variable impedance diversion circuit that is electrically connected at the first electrical point to the device housing; and

d) at least one switch that is actuatable in response to a magnetic resonance B₀ field sensor to

i) in the absence of an MRI B₀ static magnetic field, electrically connect from a second electrical switch point that is electrically connectable to an electrode configured for tissue-stimulating or biological-sensing to a third electrical switch point that is electrically connectable to tissue-stimulating or biological-sensing circuits for an AIMD, and

ii) in the presence of an MRI B₀ static magnetic field, electrically disconnects the second electrical switch point from the third electrical switch point and connect from the second electrical switch point to a fourth electrical switch point that is electrically connected to the diversion circuit opposite the first electrical point at the device housing,

e) wherein in the presence of an MRI B₀ static magnetic field the switch electrically connects the second electrical, switch point to the fourth electrical switch point at the diversion circuit such that;

i) at relatively high frequencies attendant to an MRI RF pulse field, the diversion circuit acts as a relatively low impedance circuit between the fourth electrical switch point to the first electrical point which is electrically connectable to the energy dissipating surface, and

ii) at relatively low frequencies attendant to an MRI gradient field, the diversion circuit acts as a relatively high impedance circuit between the fourth electrical switch point and the first electrical point which is electrically connectable to the energy dissipating surface.

67. The active implantable medical device of claim 66 wherein the magnetic B₀ field sensor actuates in the presence of a static field of at least 0.5 Tesla.

68. A switched diverter circuit, comprising:

a) a first electrical switch point that is electrically connectable to an electrode configured for tissue-stimulating or biological-sensing;

b) a second electrical switch point as an energy dissipating surface provided by a housing for an active implantable medical device (AIMD); and

c) at least one switch that is actuatable in response to a magnetic resonance B₀ field sensor to electrically connect the first electrical switch point to a third electrical switch point that is electrically connectable to tissue-stimulating or biological-sensing circuits for an AIMD in the absence of an MRI B₀ static magnetic field and, in the presence of an MRI B₀ static magnetic field, to electrically disconnect the first electrical switch point from the third electrical switch point and to directly short the first electrical switch point to the second electrical switch point connectable to an energy dissipating surface, and

d) wherein during the short circuit condition, the first electrical switch point is disconnected from the third electrical switch point.

69. The active implantable medical device of claim 68 wherein the magnetic B₀ field sensor actuates in the presence of a static field of at least 0.5 Tesla.

70. An active implantable medical device (AIMD), comprising:

a) a conductive device housing for the AIMD, the housing containing tissue-stimulating or biological-sensing circuits connected to a first electrical switch point;

b) a second electrical switch point that is electrically connectable to an electrode configured for tissue stimulating or biological-sensing;

c) an energy dissipating surface provided by the device housing as a third electrical point;

d) at least one diversion circuit electrically connecting between a fourth electrical switch point and the third electrical point at the energy dissipating surface; and

e) at least one switch that is selectively actuatable in response to programmable telemetry to electrically connect the second electrical switch point to the tissue-stimulating or biological-sensing circuits for the AIMD in the absence of an MRI static magnetic field and, in anticipation of being in the presence of a static magnetic field, to electrically disconnect the second electrical switch point from the first electrical switch point and to connect the second electrical switch point to the fourth electrical switch point at the diversion circuit connected to the third electrical point at the energy dissipating surface,

f) wherein with the switch electrically connecting the second electrical switch point to the fourth electrical switch point at the diversion circuit and at relatively high frequencies attendant to the AIMD being subjected to an MRI RF pulse field, the diversion circuit acts as a relatively low impedance circuit from the fourth electrical switch point to the third electrical point at the energy dissipating surface, and

g) wherein with the switch electrically connecting the second electrical switch point to the fourth electrical switch point, at the diversion circuit and at relatively low frequencies attendant to the AIMD being subjected to an MRI gradient field, the diversion circuit acts as relatively high impedance circuit between the fourth electrical switch point and the third electrical point at the energy dissipating surface.

71. An active implantable medical device (AIMD), comprising:

a) a conductive device housing for the AIMD, the housing containing tissue-stimulating or biological-sensing circuits connected to a first electrical switch point;

b) a second electrical switch point that is electrically connectable to an electrode configured for tissue-stimulating or biological-sensing;

c) an energy dissipating surface provided by the device housing as a third electrical point;

d) at least one diversion circuit electrically connecting between a fourth electrical switch point and the third electrical point at the energy dissipating surface; and

e) at least one switch that is selectively actuatable in response to programmable telemetry to electrically connect the second electrical switch point to the tissue-stimulating or biological-sensing circuits for the AIMD in the absence of an MRI static magnetic field and, in anticipation of being in the presence of a static magnetic field, to electrically disconnect the second electrical switch point, from the first electrical switch point and to connect the second electrical switch point to the fourth electrical switch point at the diversion circuit connected to the third electrical point at the energy dissipating surface,

f) wherein with the switch electrically connecting the second electrical switch point to the fourth electrical switch point at the diversion circuit and at relatively high frequencies attendant to the AIMD being subjected to an MRI RF pulse field, the diversion circuit acts as a short from the fourth electrical switch point to the third electrical point at the energy dissipating surface, and

g) wherein with the switch electrically connecting the second electrical switch point to the fourth electrical switch point at the diversion circuit and at relatively low frequencies attendant to the AIMD being subjected to an MRI gradient field, the diversion circuit acts as an open circuit between the fourth electrical switch point and the third electrical point at the energy dissipating surface.

72. An implantable medical device (AIMD), comprising:

a) a conductive device housing for the AIMD, the housing containing tissue-stimulating or biological-sensing circuits at a first electrical switch point;

b) a second electrical switch point that is electrically connectable to an electrode configured for tissue-stimulating or biological-sensing;

c) an energy dissipating surface provided by the device housing as a third electrical point; and

d) at least one switch that is selectively actuatable in response to programmable telemetry to electrically connect the first electrical switch point at the tissue-stimulating or biological-sensing circuits for the AIMD to the second electrical switch point in the absence of a static magnetic field and, in anticipation of being in the presence of a static magnetic field, to electrically disconnect the second electrical switch point from the first electrical switch point and to directly short the second electrical switch point to the third electrical point at the device housing serving as the energy dissipating surface.