Patent ID: 7027862
Filing Date: 2006-04-11
Classification: A61N

Abstract:
1. An implantable medical device, comprising: an elongated lead body extending from a proximal portion to a distal portion; a first electrode and a second electrode positioned along the lead body; a housing having an upper portion; a control unit having a housing portion housing electrical components of the implantable medical device and a connector block positioned along an upper portion of the housing, the control unit transmitting a signal between the first electrode and the second electrode; a connector positioned at the proximal portion of the lead body and insertable within the connector block to electrically couple the first electrode and the second electrode and the electrical components; and a third electrode having a conductive element positioned along the control unit in close proximity adjacent to the connector, wherein the control unit determines an alternate transmission path of the signal between the third electrode and one or both of the first electrode and the second electrode in response to the signal not being effectively transmitted between the first electrode and the second electrode as evidence by a sub-threshold amplitude of said signal compared to a predetermined minimum signal threshold value.