Patent ID: 7711436
Filing Date: 2010-05-04
Classification: A61B,A61N

Abstract:
1. An electrical lead, comprising: a conductor assembly having one or more conductors; an electrode in electrical communication with one of the conductors, the electrode having an outer contact adapted for contacting adjacent body tissue of a patient; and a thermally sensitive material integrated with the electrode in forming an assembly, the thermally sensitive material being completely encased within the electrode and being electrically connected between the one conductor and the electrode outer contact so that current from the one conductor flows through a substantial portion of the thermally sensitive material in order to reach the outer contact, the thermally sensitive material configured to exhibit high impedance in the presence of currents considered unsafe to the patient, thereby preventing the unsafe currents from flowing through the substantial portion of the thermally sensitive material and through the electrode outer contact potentially causing the adjacent body tissue to increase in temperature to an unsafe level, the unsafe currents causing the thermally sensitive material to increase in temperature, thereby causing the material to transition to a high impedance state.