Shock lead impedance measurement to ensure safe delivery of shock therapy to maintain circuit integrity

A method of delivering shock therapy, the method comprising:

• determining that a condition exists for which shock therapy is to be delivered;
• measuring the impedance between electrodes in a plurality of pairs of electrodes, each pair in the plurality having at least one shock electrode;
• delivering the shock therapy using an electrode pair if the impedance between the electrode pair is greater than a predetermined value;
• and
• aborting the delivery of the shock therapy if the impedance between the electrode pair is less than or equal to a predetermined value.

A method of delivering shock therapy, the method comprising:

• determining that a condition exists for which shock therapy is to be delivered;
• measuring the impedance of a shock lead electrode while a shock therapy device is charging;
• delivering the shock therapy if the shock therapy device completed charging, the electrode impedance measurement was completed, and the measured electrode impedance is greater than a predetermined value;
• aborting the electrode impedance measurement if the shock therapy device completed charging but the electrode impedance measurement has not completed;
• continuing with the delivery of the shock therapy if the shock therapy device completed charging and the electrode impedance measurement has been aborted;
• and
• aborting the delivery of the shock therapy if the shock therapy device completed charging, the lead impedance measurement completed, and the electrode impedance is less than or equal to a predetermined value.