United States Patent [19] [li] Patent Number: 4,628,934
Pohndorf et al. [45] Date of Patent: Dec. 16,1986
[54] METHOD AND MEANS OF ELECTRODE SELECTION FOR PACEMAKER WITH MULTIELECTRODE LEADS
[75] Inventors: Peter J. Pohndorf, Miami Shores;
Edward A. Schroeppel, Miramar,
both of Ha.
[73] Assignee: Cordis Corporation, Miami, Fla.
[21] Appl. No.: 638,383
[22] Filed: Aug. 7,1984
[51] Int. CI.4 A61N 1/36
[52] U.S. Q 128/419 PG; 128/786
[58] Field of Search 128/419 P, 419 PG, 786
[56] References Cited
U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
3,554,198 1/1971 Tatoian 128/419
3,845,773 11/1974 Fontaine et al 128/419 P
4.027.678 6/1977 van Oostveen et al 128/419 P
4,099,530 7/1978 Chen et al 128/419 PT
4,152,540 5/1979 Duncan et al 174/152 GM
4,166,470 9/1979 Neumann 128/419 PG
4,170,999 10/1979 Allen et al 128/419 PG
4,187,854 2/1980 Hepp et al 128/419 PG
4,192,316 3/1980 Walters etal 128/419 PG
4.223.679 9/1980 Schulman et al 128/419 PT
4,231,027 10/1980 Mann et al 340/636
4,232,679 11/1980 Schulman 128/419 PG
4,236,523 12/1980 Gruenewald 128/419 PT
4,236,525 12/1980 Sluetz et al 128/419 P
4,248,238 2/1981 Joseph 128/419 PG
4,275,737 6/1981 Thompson et al 128/419 PG
4,421,114 12/1983 Berkovits et al 128/419 PG
4,432,372 2/1984 Monroe 128/675
4,462,407 7/1984 Herscovici et al 128/419 PG
FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
48106 6/1981 European Pat. Off. 128/419 PG
Primary Examiner—William E. Kamm
Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Henry W. Collins; Thomas R.
Vigil
[57] ABSTRACT
An electronic electrode switching/selection circuit minimizes the number of feedthroughs from a pacer case to a pacer neck needed to connect with pacing lead electrodes that will be actively used during operation of a pacer. These feedthroughs can be electronically connected with the desired electrode by the physician either at the time of initial implantation or at any time subsequent thereto as may be required. The electronic connection to a feedthrough may be dedicated to a single feedthrough/electrode or electrode pair or the electrodes may be electronically sampled by circuitry in the pacer. The electrode switching/selection circuit may be located in the pacer neck, in an adapter between the pacer neck and a multielectrode lead, or in a multielectrode lead.
Preferably, zener protection diodes are also provided which are connected ahead of the pacing circuitry before or after the electrode switching/selection circuit. These zener protection diodes may be located in the pacer neck, in the adapter, or in the multielectrode lead, according to the location of the electrode switching/selection circuit.
29 Claims, 14 Drawing Figures
