Patent ID: 8532770
Filing Date: 2013-09-10
Classification: A61B,A61N

Abstract:
1. An apparatus including an implantable medical device (IMD), the IMD including: an excitation circuit configured to provide a non-tissue stimulating, non-therapeutic electrical excitation signal to a conductor comprising a portion of an implantable lead, the excitation signal comprising a time-varying signal including a first range of frequencies; a receiver circuit electrically coupled to the conductor, the receiver circuit configured to receive, in response to the excitation signal, a response signal modulated according to a change in an electrical characteristic of the conductor, the response signal including information about the excited conductor itself that is indicative of a mechanical vibration of the implantable lead due at least in part to one or more of impact of at least a portion of a heart to the implantable lead or friction between the implantable lead and cardiac tissue; and a processor circuit configured to determine one or more of a lead mechanical status, or information indicative of valvular activity, using the information about the excited conductor itself that is indicative of the mechanical vibration of the implantable lead.