Communications in a medical device system with link quality assessment

A method of configuring communication between implantable medical devices during an implantation procedure of a first medical device in a patient in whom a second medical device is already implanted, the method comprising:

• during an implantation procedure for the first medical device, testing communication between the first medical device and the second medical device;
• determining that communication is suboptimal;
• and
• in response to determining that communication is suboptimal, adjusting an orientation of the first medical device.

A method of operation in an implantable medical device system comprising an external programmer and first implantable medical device and a second implantable medical device, the method being configured for communication quality monitoring during a procedure to implant the second medical device while the first medical device is already implanted, the method comprising:

• the first medical device generating a communication test signal prior to completion of placement of the second medical device during the procedure to implant the second medical device;
• the second medical device receiving and analyzing the communication test signal from the first medical device;
• the second medical device generating an output indicating a quality of the communication test signal as received;
• the programmer providing an indication to a physician performing the implantation procedure related to the quality of the communication test signal as received by the second medical device.