Pacing system with lead having a single conductor for connecting to pressure sensor and electrode

A pacing system having a pacemaker and a lead, said lead comprising:

• a proximal end and a distal end, and a casing extending from said proximal end to said distal end,
• a tip electrode at about said distal end,
• a sensor located at a position within said casing near said distal end,
• a conductor extending within said lead casing from said proximal end to said sensor position,
• a switchable connecting circuit means for switchably connecting said tip electrode alternately through said sensor to said conductor and directly to said conductor, and said pacemaker comprising
• switching drive means for providing a drive signal to said conductor for switching said connecting circuit means, and
• signal processing means connected to said conductor for processing the signals on said conductor so as to derive respective signals representative of cardiac signals sensed at said tip electrode and sensor signals generated by said sensor.

A pacing lead for use in a pacing system having a pacemaker for generating pacing pulses, said lead comprising:

• a lead body having a proximal end and a distal end and a casing running the length of said body,
• a tip electrode at about said distal end,
• a transducer element at a location within said casing near said distal end for obtaining signals representative of a cardiac parameter,
• a conductor providing an electrical connection from said proximal end to about said location,
• a two state connecting means connected to said transducer element and to said tip electrode for connecting said transducer in electrical connection with said tip when it is in a first of said states, whereby a signal carrying information representative of said parameter is connected to said conductor, and for isolating said transducer element and connecting said tip electrode directly to said conductor when it is in a second of said states, whereby a signal carrying information representative of a cardiac signal sensed at aid tip electrode is connected to said conductor.