Patent ID: 7359754

Claim:
An implantable cardioverter-defibrillator comprising: a housing having first and second ends; a first electrode disposed on the housing toward the first end; a second electrode disposed on the housing toward the second end; a lead having a third electrode thereon, the lead being coupled to the housing; operational circuitry in the housing, the operational circuitry having output circuitry for providing a defibrillation output, the output circuitry coupled to each of the first, second and third electrodes such that the operational circuitry can deliver therapy using a plurality of electrode combinations including at least: the first and second electrodes; and the first and third electrodes; wherein the output circuitry is configured such that, in an electrode combination of the first and second electrodes, when used by the operational circuitry, the first and second electrodes are either anode/cathode or cathode/anode, resrectively, during at least a rortion of a stimulus delivery.