Methods and systems for detecting loss of electrode-tissue contact

Abstract

An implantable cardiac monitor (ICM) and a computer implemented method are provided. The ICM includes electrodes that are configured to sense analog cardiac activity (CA) signals when engaged with tissue at a location remote from the heart. One or more of the electrodes transition between an engaged state and disengaged state with respect to the tissue. An analog to digital (A/D) converter communicates with the electrodes along a data signal path. The A/D converts the analog CA signals to digital CA signal. An electrode-tissue feedback (ETF) circuit is provided along the data signal path between the electrodes and the A/D converter. The ETF circuit generates a feedback signal component into the data signal path when one or more of the electrodes is in the disengaged state. The feedback signal component is superimposed onto the analog CA signals. One or more processors executes program instructions in connection with collecting and analyzing the digital CA signals when the one or more electrodes are in the engaged state.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.