Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a cardiac stimulus device lead having fault tolerance and fault isolation are disclosed. A medical electrical lead is provided according to one aspect. According to one embodiment, the lead includes a first conductor and a second conductor for transmitting an electrical pulse from a pulse generator. The lead further includes a switching mechanism, a first electrode, and a lead assessment circuit. The switching mechanism selectively couples the first conductor to the first electrode. The first electrode is decoupled during a test phase and the switching mechanism directly couples the first conductor to the second conductor. The lead assessment circuit processes a signal associated with the electrical properties of the lead to determine whether the lead is exhibiting a lead related condition.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a medical electrical lead having fault detection and fault isolation. The lead may include a first conductor coupled to a first electrode and a second conductor coupled to a second electrode. A capacitor is disposed within the lead and selectively coupled to the first and second conductors of the lead. The capacitor is charged in a test mode of operation after the first and second electrodes have been isolated from the conductors via an isolation mechanism and the capacitor will discharge through the first and second conductors. The capacitor discharge morphology is processed to detect lead-related conditions.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a cardiac stimulus device lead having fault tolerance and fault isolation are disclosed. A medical electrical lead is provided according to one aspect. According to one embodiment, the lead includes a first conductor and a second conductor for transmitting an electrical pulse from a pulse generator. The lead further includes a switching mechanism, a first electrode, and a lead assessment circuit. The switching mechanism selectively couples the first conductor to the first electrode. The first electrode is decoupled during a test phase and the switching mechanism directly couples the first conductor to the second conductor. The lead assessment circuit processes a signal associated with the electrical properties of the lead to determine whether the lead is exhibiting a lead related condition.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a medical electrical lead having fault detection and fault isolation. The lead may include a first conductor coupled to a first electrode and a second conductor coupled to a second electrode. A capacitor is disposed within the lead and selectively coupled to the first and second conductors of the lead. The capacitor is charged in a test mode of operation after the first and second electrodes have been isolated from the conductors via an isolation mechanism and the capacitor will discharge through the first and second conductors. The capacitor discharge morphology is processed to detect lead-related conditions.