Abstract: Methods and apparatus according to the disclosure include without limitation the following. A method for providing fault tolerance to an active implantable medical device (AIMD) coupled via a medical electrical lead to an implantable physiologic sensor (IPS), including a conductive member or structure for imparting a biasing force to a proximal portion of the lead. The conductive member electrically couples to a source of reference electrical potential (i.e., electrical ground) and neither contacts nor conducts a source of power for the IPS. The conductive member can include threads and interlocking tool-receiving portions and can be shielded from contact with body fluid(s) by a seal-healing grommet or septum. Furthermore, a set screw can serve as the conductive member and the set screw can include an Allen wrench receptacle or a screwdriver receptacle or equivalent.

Abstract: The invention addresses possible fault scenarios including exposure to electromagnetic interference (EMI) which can include radio frequency (RF) electromagnetic radiation due to one or more security and/or communication regimens as well as various imaging modalities such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), positron electron transmission (PET) imaging or the like. In one aspect, an active implantable medical device (AIMD) is configured to sense a physiologic parameter of a patient and provide a therapy such as cardiac pacing, high-energy cardioversion/defibrillation therapy and/or a drug or substance delivery regimen. An implantable physiologic sensor (IPS) couples to the AIMD with coaxial conductors with the inner conductor carrying the IPS output signals thus avoiding output signal degradation due to EMI. That is, the outer conductor couples to ground providing electromagnetic protection (e.g., like a Faraday cage) to the inner conductive and the output signals.

Abstract: A medical electrical lead implant tool includes a gripping assembly, terminating a distal end of an elongate shaft, adapted to alternately grasp the lead and release the lead and to rotate the lead, and a user control terminating a proximal end of the shaft. An internal drive cable extends within the shaft coupling the gripping assembly to the user control. The user control facilitates single-handed manipulation of a slidable dial, which may be grasped by fingers of a hand for longitudinal and rotational manipulation when a stationary handle is held in a palm of the hand; the longitudinal manipulation causing the gripping assembly, via the drive cable, to alternately grasp the lead and release the lead and the rotational manipulation causing the gripping assembly, via the drive cable, to rotate the lead.