Patent ID: 7389140

Claim:
An implantable stimulation device comprising: first and second anode electrodes adapted for placement in, on or near a heart; a cathode electrode adapted for placement in, on or near a heart; a battery separate from the first and second anode electrodes and the cathode electrode and having an anode terminal coupled to the first anode electrode and the second anode electrode and a cathode terminal coupled to the cathode electrode, the battery configured to generate an electrical potential between the first anode electrode and the cathode electrode and the second anode electrode and the cathode electrode; and a resistance device separate from the battery and coupled between one of the anode terminal and the first anode electrode, the anode terminal and the second anode electrode and the cathode terminal and the cathode electrode and having a resistance selected to divide current between a first current path between the first anode electrode and the cathode electrode and a second current path between the second anode electrode and the cathode electrode upon generation of the electrical potential.