Pacing and cardioversion lead systems with shared lead conductors

Abstract

A combined pacing and cardioversion lead system with internal electrical switching components for unipolar or bipolar sensing of electrograms, pacing at normal pacing voltages and cardioversion or defibrillation. In bipolar embodiments, an indifferent electrode, closely spaced to a sensing and pacing electrode, is coupled in common through the integral switching circuitry to a large surface area cardioversion electrode. In these embodiments, pacing and sensing is accomplished through a pair of conductors extending through the lead system to the closely spaced active and indifferent electrode pair. When cardioversion energy is applied to the indifferent electrode, the cardioversion energy is also directed to the cardioversion electrode through operation of the switching circuitry in response to the magnitude of the applied cardioversion pulse. In unipolar embodiments, a distal sensing and pacing electrode is coupled through integral switching circuitry to a large surface area cardioversion electrode. In these embodiments, only a single conductor extending through the lead to the pacing and sensing electrode is required. When cardioversion energy is applied to the pacing and sensing electrode, the cardioversion energy is also directed to the cardioversion electrode through operation of the switching circuitry in response to the magnitude of the applied cardioversion pulse.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.