Method for detecting and treating insulation lead-to-housing failures
First Claim
1. A method of periodically monitoring for a potential short circuit in an implantable defibrillation system comprising:
- periodically forming a defibrillation pathway wherein the defibrillation pathway is comprised of an implantable cardioverter defibrillator generator housing (CAN) electrode and a dual-coil defibrillation lead conductor having a superior vena cava (SVC) electrode and a right ventricle (RV) electrode and a tip located in the right ventricle of a heart;
measuring an impedance of the defibrillation pathway for the conductors in the defibrillation pathway using a high voltage, short duration pulse;
determining if one of the conductors has low impedance at a level indicating a short circuit; and
providing an indication of a potential short circuit in the implantable defibrillation system before any detection of a cardiac arrhythmia condition for which a defibrillation shock is delivered.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Disclosed is a method for the diagnosis of conductor anomalies, such as an insulation failure resulting in a short circuit, in an implantable medical device, such as an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD). Upon determining if a specific defibrillation pathway is shorted, the method excludes the one electrode from the defibrillation circuit, delivering defibrillation current only between functioning defibrillation electrodes. Protection can be provided against a short in the right-ventricular coil-CAN defibrillation pathway of a pectoral, transvenous ICD with a dual-coil defibrillation lead. If a short caused by an in-pocket abrasion is present, the CAN is excluded from the defibrillation circuit, delivering defibrillation current only between the right-ventricular and superior vena cava defibrillation coils. Determination that the defibrillation pathway is shorted may be made by conventional low current measurements or delivery of high current extremely short test pulses.
65 Citations
13 Claims
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1. A method of periodically monitoring for a potential short circuit in an implantable defibrillation system comprising:
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periodically forming a defibrillation pathway wherein the defibrillation pathway is comprised of an implantable cardioverter defibrillator generator housing (CAN) electrode and a dual-coil defibrillation lead conductor having a superior vena cava (SVC) electrode and a right ventricle (RV) electrode and a tip located in the right ventricle of a heart;
measuring an impedance of the defibrillation pathway for the conductors in the defibrillation pathway using a high voltage, short duration pulse;determining if one of the conductors has low impedance at a level indicating a short circuit; and providing an indication of a potential short circuit in the implantable defibrillation system before any detection of a cardiac arrhythmia condition for which a defibrillation shock is delivered. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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Specification