Patent ID: 9636500
Date: 2017-05-02
CPC Classifications: A61N

Claim:
1. An apparatus for active surveillance diagnosis of a lead anomaly in an implanted lead having one or more electrodes electrically connected to one or more conductors that are electrically connected to an implantable medical device implanted in a patient, the apparatus comprising: a test-signal controller configured to generate and emit a test signal through an output current pathway that includes one or more of the conductors of the implanted lead for a test duration and to cause detection of cardiac arrhythmias to be suspended for the test duration; a monitor module configured to monitor sensed signals during the test duration on one or more monitor current pathways associated with the implanted lead and the implantable medical device, but different and independent from the output current pathway; and an analysis unit configured to automatically analyze the sensed signals for any induced signals on the monitor current pathways in response to the test signals on the output current pathway to determine if there are any indications that signify a potential lead anomaly by evaluating whether the induced signal is within expected limits for an intact lead; wherein the implanted device is an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) and at least the test-signal controller, the monitor module, and the analysis unit are part of the ICD; wherein the test-signal controller is activated by a timer and causes the monitor module to sense the sensed signals on the monitor channel only during the test duration; and wherein the analysis unit returns control to the test-signal controller to subsequently repeats the test duration after a specified time delay if the induced signal is within expected limits for an intact lead.