Patent ID: 6539257
Filing Date: 2003-03-25
Classification: A61B,A61N

Abstract:
An implantable defibrillation apparatus that detects and monitors spontaneous cardiac electrogram features in a patient, said apparatus comprising:an implantable cardiac defibrillator; a plurality of subcutaneous cardiac sensing electrodes electrically connected to said defibrillator, said sensing electrodes configured for sensing cardiac electrogram features when implanted in spatially separate locations in a patient; at least one elongate transveneous catheter flexibly configured for insertion into the heart of said patient, said catheter carrying at least one defibrillation electrode and said catheter connected to said defibrillator; a detector carried within said defibrillator and operably associated with said sensing electrodes and said at least one defibrillation electrode, said detector configured for detecting the likelihood of a spontaneous cardiac arrhythmia and delivering a treatment pulse through said at least one defibrillation electrode, wherein said plurality of subcutaneous electrodes are carried by a single elongate lead.