Protection apparatus for implantable medical device

An apparatus for use with an implantable housing carrying first and second externally accessible electrodes and internally containing electronic circuitry connected to said electrodes, said apparatus comprising:

• a substrate;
• a first spring clip mounted on said substrate, said first spring clip configured to electrically contact and releasably retain said first electrode;
• a second spring clip mounted on said substrate, said spring contact clip configured to electrically contact and releasably retain said second electrode;
• and
• first and second shunt paths carried by said substrate connected between said first and second spring clips, said first and second shunt paths respectively including oppositely oriented unidirectional current devices.

In combination:

• a medical device configured to be implanted in the body, said device including a housing containing electronic circuitry connected to first and second electrodes extending exteriorly of said housing;
• and
• an apparatus for use with said medical device prior to its being implanted, said apparatus comprising:
• a dielectric substrate carrying spaced first and second conductive contact clips, each of said clips being configured to electrically contact and physically retain one of said electrodes;
• a first shunt circuit carried by substrate electrically connected between said first and second contact clips;
• a second shunt circuit carried by a substrate electrically connected between said first and second contact clips;
• and wherein
• said first and second shunt circuits respectively include oppositely directed first and second diodes.

A method of protecting an implantable medical device prior to implantation, said device comprising a housing containing electronic circuitry connected between first and second electrodes extending exteriorly of said housing, said method comprising:

• providing first and second contacts for electrically contacting said first and second electrodes;
• providing a first shunt path between said first and second contacts including a current device oriented to permit current therethrough only from said first to said second contact;
• and
• providing a second shunt path between said first and second contacts including a current device oriented to permit current therethrough only from said second to said first contact.