Implantable medical devices and methods of use

Abstract

Implantable medical devices described herein include a cardiac lead sized for insertion in a cardiac cavity, a heat exchange module disposed at the distal end of the lead, the heat exchange module comprising an enclosure having a first surface and a second surface, and a heat pump (e.g., Peltier device) located within the enclosure. In some embodiments, a pair of electrodes are included that are used to measure the impedance of epicardial tissue. Such impedance measurements can indicate a level of contact and/or pressure between the enclosure of the heat exchange module and the epicardial tissue. Accordingly, the pair of electrodes can be used to ascertain situations in which there is sufficient contact and/or pressure (between the heat exchange module and the epicardial tissue) to be able to provide effective or optimal cooling therapy to the epicardial tissue.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.