Patent ID: 8527046

Claim:
An MRI-compatible cardiac assist device, comprising: a first implantable pulse generator for generating pacing pulses responsive to sensing signals; a sensing electrode coupled to said first implantable pulse generator for sensing parameters of a heart and providing the sensing signals; pacing electrodes coupled to said first implantable pulse generator for pacing the heart with the pacing pulses; a detector for detecting radio frequency signals generated by an MRI scanner; and a circuit disposed in the coupling between said first implantable pulse generator and said sensing electrode, responsive to said detector, for opening the coupling between said first implantable pulse generator and said sensing electrode to inhibit current induced by the MRI scanner, when said detector detects radio frequency signals generated by the MRI scanner; a second implantable pulse generator connected to the circuit, configured to pace the heart with pacing pulses via at least one lead coupled to the second implantable pulse generator when the coupling between said first implantable pulse generator and said sensing electrode is opened by said circuit.