Implantable medical device having two electrodes in the header

Abstract

Various aspects of the present disclosure are directed toward apparatuses, systems, and methods for supporting components of an implantable medical device. The apparatuses, systems, and methods may include a first electrode and a second electrode and a scaffold assembly configured to support the first electrode and the second electrode.

We claim: 
     
         1 . An implantable medical device comprising:
 a core assembly having a first proximal end and a first distal end and including a battery and a first electrode positioned at the first distal end;   a header having a second proximal end and a second distal end, wherein the second proximal end of the header is coupled to the first proximal end of the core assembly, the header forming a housing with an open interior space;   a scaffold assembly positioned within the interior space; and   a second electrode and a third electrode supported by the scaffold assembly on opposite sides of the scaffold assembly.   
     
     
         2 . The implantable medical device of  claim 1 , wherein the second electrode is flush with a first exterior surface of the header. 
     
     
         3 . The implantable medical device of  claim 2 , wherein the third electrode is flush with a second exterior surface of the header. 
     
     
         4 . The implantable medical device of  claim 1 , wherein the second electrode is flush with an interior region of the header. 
     
     
         5 . The implantable medical device of  claim 4 , wherein the third electrode is flush with the interior region of the header. 
     
     
         6 . The implantable medical device of  claim 1 , further comprising an antenna positioned within the interior space. 
     
     
         7 . The implantable medical device of  claim 4 , wherein the antenna is positioned on an exterior surface of the scaffold assembly. 
     
     
         8 . The implantable medical device of  claim 1 , wherein the core assembly includes an accelerometer. 
     
     
         9 . The implantable medical device of  claim 6 , wherein the accelerometer is used to determine whether the implantable medical device has flipped. 
     
     
         10 . The implantable medical device of  claim 6 , further comprising an antenna positioned within the interior space. 
     
     
         11 . The implantable medical device of  claim 1 , further comprising integrated circuitry arranged within the core assembly. 
     
     
         12 . The implantable medical device of  claim 1 , wherein the integrated circuitry is configured to measure sensing capability of the second electrode and sensing capability of the third electrode and select between the second electrode and the third electrode in response to determining a greater of the sensing capability of the second electrode and the sensing capability of the third electrode. 
     
     
         13 . The implantable medical device of  claim 11 , wherein the integrated circuitry is configured to measure impedance on a sensed signal of the second electrode and an impedance on a sensed signal of the third electrode to determine the respective sensing capability of the second electrode and the sensing capability of the third electrode. 
     
     
         14 . The implantable medical device of  claim 11 , wherein the integrated circuitry is configured to drive the third electrode and one of the first electrode and the second electrode and to sense another of the first electrode and the second electrode. 
     
     
         15 . The implantable medical device of  claim 11 , wherein the integrated circuitry includes a Kelvin connection to the second electrode and the third electrode. 
     
     
         16 . The implantable medical device of  claim 1 , welding the second electrode and the third electrode to respective electrical connectors coupled to the integrated circuitry.