Patent ID: 8099174

Claim:
An implantable cardiac stimulation system comprising: at least one implantable lead including at least one stimulation electrode; and an implantable cardiac stimulation device comprising a pulse generator configured to generate pacing pulses to pace a chamber of a patient's heart, the pulse generator being switchably coupled to the at least one stimulation electrode, a power supply switchably coupled to the at least one stimulation electrode, the power supply being configured to provide the electrode with a voltage as a function of time configured to induce an accelerated body coating process of the electrode, and a switching device configured to first switchably couple the at least one stimulation electrode to the power supply until a body coating layer is formed on the electrode as indicated by a rise in a value of the resistance associated with the electrode above a threshold resistance value and to then switchably couple the at least one stimulation electrode to the pulse generator for application of pacing pulses to the chamber of the patient's heart.