Abstract: Two mechanisms work together to adjust two variables independently so that the gain of an input amplifier used to find physiologic signals in an implantable medical device can be automatically adjusted to enhance the signal to noise ratio of the electrical input to said amplifier. The first determines whether there has been too long a time between senses found in the body's electrical input to the amplifier and if true, and no other conditions override that consideration, it adjusts the value of a long term average parameter which is used as a referent parameter to adjust the actual parameter that is used as the referent for making either a threshold level adjustment or gain change, depending on the structure of the particular design's circuitry and/or software. One set of adjustments to the gain referent parameter depends on the relative size of the long term average parameter and the gain referent parameter.

Abstract: A preamplifier bias circuit for use in an AC coupled magnetoresistive read head amplifier which includes a pair of head contacts, a pair of amplifier inputs, a pair of coupling capacitors and a means for selectively shunting the amplifier inputs and rapidly charge the coupling capacitors. The pair of head contacts and the pair of amplifier inputs couple the preamplifier bias circuit to a magnetoresistive element and a read amplifier, respectively. Each of the coupling capacitors is connected between one of the head contacts and one of the amplifier inputs to block a static potential across the magnetoresistive element. The means for selectively shunting the amplifier inputs selectively provides a low impedance path to rapidly charge the coupling capacitors and clamps the amplifier inputs to a known potential. By selectively providing a low impedance path, the AC coupled magnetoresistive read head amplifier can be protected and its associated delay time prior to operation can be decreased.

Abstract: A lead integrity measurement system for a cardiac pacemaker/cardioverter/defibrillator (PCD) of the type comprising an implantable pulse generator (IPG) and a lead system including one or more pacing leads each having a proximal end coupled to a pacing terminal of the IPG and a distal end with at least one pace/sense electrode in contact with a patient's heart and a pair of defibrillation leads coupled to defibrillation terminals of the IPG and defibrillation electrodes implanted in relation to the patient's heart. In a lead impedance test mode, the terminal of a selected defibrillation lead under test is coupled to system ground, and an excitation voltage is applied in an excitation path from a force lead terminal selected from the pacing leads.