Methods and systems for bypassing a signal converter in a cardiac sensing and pacing system

A switching system providing bidirectional communication between one or more electrodes at a distal end of a catheter and an external console, the system comprising:

• a patient interface unit (PIU) configured to sample electrocardiac signals sensed by the one or more electrodes;
• a switch unit configured to convert the electrocardiac signals sampled by the PIU to an analog signal:
• a bi-directional line comprising:
• a main line configured to transmit analog signals from the one or more electrodes to the external console via the PIU and switch unit;
• and
• a bypass line configured to bypass the PIU and switch unit and thereby directly communicate analog signals between the one or more electrodes and the external console;
• and
• a pair of switches configured to toggle between communicating the analog signals via the main line and via the bypass line;
• wherein the switch unit comprises:
• a digital to analog converter configured to convert the electrocardiac signals sampled by the PIU to an analog signal;
• a sensor configured to sense a pacing signal generated by the external console and transmitted over the main line, wherein the pacing signal is configured to be delivered to the one or more electrodes;
• and
• a processor configured to:
• operate said pair of switches for toggling between the main line and the bypass line based on output from said sensor;
• and
• process the electrocardiac signal sampled from the PIU that is received via the main line.