Implantable medical lead circuitry and methods for reducing heating and/or induced current
First Claim
1. An implantable medical lead for coupling to an implantable pulse generator and configured for improved safety, the lead comprising:
- a lead body including a distal portion with a first electrode and a proximal portion with a lead connector, the lead body having at least one conductor coupling the first electrode to a first connector contact; and
at least one active circuit element contained within the lead body and in electrical communication with the first electrode and coupled in series between the conductor and the electrode, the at least one active circuit element configured to change an impedance of the lead.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An implantable medical lead for coupling to an implantable pulse generator may be configured for improved safety. The lead may include: a first electrode; a second electrode in electrical communication with the first electrode; and an active circuit element in electrical communication with the first electrode and the second electrode. The active circuit element may be configured to change an impedance of the lead. The active circuit element may be configured to change the impedance of the lead in response to a pacing signal or a signal having opposite polarity to a pacing signal. A method of using an implantable medical lead for improved safety may include changing an impedance of an implantable medical lead from a relatively high impedance to a relatively low impedance and/or changing an impedance of an implantable medical lead from a relatively low impedance to a relatively high impedance.
6 Citations
19 Claims
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1. An implantable medical lead for coupling to an implantable pulse generator and configured for improved safety, the lead comprising:
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a lead body including a distal portion with a first electrode and a proximal portion with a lead connector, the lead body having at least one conductor coupling the first electrode to a first connector contact; and at least one active circuit element contained within the lead body and in electrical communication with the first electrode and coupled in series between the conductor and the electrode, the at least one active circuit element configured to change an impedance of the lead. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method of using an implantable medical lead for improved safety, the method comprising:
delivering a control signal to an active circuit element coupled within a body of the lead to change an impedance of an implantable medical lead from a relatively high impedance to a relatively low impedance, wherein the control signal comprises a pacing signal.
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19. A method of using an implantable medical lead for improved safety, the method comprising:
delivering a control signal to an active circuit element coupled within a body of the lead to change an impedance of an implantable medical lead from a relatively low impedance to a relatively high impedance, wherein the control signal comprises a signal having opposite polarity to a pacing signal.
Specification