Patent ID: 8437863

Claim:
An implantable electrode lead comprising: a lead body adapted for in vivo implantation in a subject, said lead body having a distal portion terminating in a distal end, and a proximal end opposite to said distal end; said proximal end being configured to connect said proximal end to an implantable tissue stimulator that comprises a pulse generator that is configured to emit stimulation pulses; at least two electrical conductors inside said lead body and adapted for connection via said proximal end to said pulse generator of said implantable tissue stimulator; at least two stimulation electrodes located at said distal portion of said electrode lead and respectively electrically connected to said at least two electrical conductors; a pacing module located at said distal portion of said lead body, said pacing module comprising a pacing module pulse generating unit that is configured to generate stimulation pulses; and a switching unit located at said distal portion of said lead body and having a mode control input, said switching unit being configured, in response to a mode control signal received via said mode control input, to switch between a local pacing mode and a normal pacing mode and, in said normal pacing mode, to maintain said electrical conductors connected to said stimulation electrodes and, in said local pacing mode, to disconnect said stimulation electrodes from said electrical conductors and to connect said stimulation electrodes to said pacing module pulse generating unit to supply said stimulation pulses from said pacing module pulse generating unit to said stimulation electrodes.