A medical device (424) includes a pulse generator (404) that selectively generates pulses. A control module (408) selectively controls the pulses. A power distribution system (420) supplies power to said medical device (424). The power distribution system (420) includes N batteries (450), where N is an integer greater than one, a common node (Vdd), and N protection modules (430). The N protection modules (430) communicate with the control module (408), selectively connect a respective one of the N batteries (450) to the common node (Vdd) based on control signals from the control module (408), and monitor current provided by the respective one of the N batteries (450). The control module (408) generates the respective control signals based upon the current.
