Patent ID: 8554335

Claim:
An electrode isolation device for electrically isolating an electrode of an implantable lead in the presence of a magnetic field, the implantable lead including a lead conductor configured to connect the electrode to a pulse generator via first and second conductive paths, the electrode isolation device comprising: a first switch coupled between the pulse generator and the electrode along the first conductive path, the first switch including an open state in the presence of the magnetic field that electrically disconnects the first conductive path between the pulse generator and the electrode, the first switch further including a closed state in the absence of the MRI magnetic field that electrically connects the first conductive path between the pulse generator and the electrode; and a second switch coupled between the pulse generator and the electrode along the second conductive path, the second switch including an open state that electrically disconnects the first conductive path between the pulse generator and the electrode, the second switch further including a closed state that electrically connects the second conductive path between the pulse generator and the electrode when a voltage applied across the second switch exceeds a threshold voltage.