A multilayer helical wave filter for an implantable lead (114, 114') of an active medical device, comprising: an elongated conductor, including: a first helically wound segment having at least one planar surface, a first end and a second end, the first helically wound segment forming a first inductive component; a second helically wound segment having at least one planar surface, a first end and a second end, the second helically wound segment forming a second inductive component, the first and second helically wound segments being wound in the same longitudinal direction and sharing a common longitudinal axis, wherein the at least one planar surface of the first helically wound segment faces the at least one planar surface of the second helically wound segment; and a return connecting segment extending substantially the length of the first and second helically wound segments to connect the second end of the first helically wound segment to the first end of the second helically wound segment; and a dielectric material disposed between the facing planar surfaces of the first and second helically wound segments, and between adjacent coils of the first and second helically wound segments, thereby forming a capacitance; wherein the wave filter has a primary resonance at a selected RF diagnostic or therapeutic frequency or frequency range. an elongated conductor, including: a first helically wound segment having at least one planar surface, a first end and a second end, the first helically wound segment forming a first inductive component; a second helically wound segment having at least one planar surface, a first end and a second end, the second helically wound segment forming a second inductive component, the first and second helically wound segments being wound in the same longitudinal direction and sharing a common longitudinal axis, wherein the at least one planar surface of the first helically wound segment faces the at least one planar surface of the second helically wound segment; and a return connecting segment extending substantially the length of the first and second helically wound segments to connect the second end of the first helically wound segment to the first end of the second helically wound segment; and a dielectric material disposed between the facing planar surfaces of the first and second helically wound segments, and between adjacent coils of the first and second helically wound segments, thereby forming a capacitance; wherein the wave filter has a primary resonance at a selected RF diagnostic or therapeutic frequency or frequency range. a first helically wound segment having at least one planar surface, a first end and a second end, the first helically wound segment forming a first inductive component; a second helically wound segment having at least one planar surface, a first end and a second end, the second helically wound segment forming a second inductive component, the first and second helically wound segments being wound in the same longitudinal direction and sharing a common longitudinal axis, wherein the at least one planar surface of the first helically wound segment faces the at least one planar surface of the second helically wound segment; and a return connecting segment extending substantially the length of the first and second helically wound segments to connect the second end of the first helically wound segment to the first end of the second helically wound segment; and a dielectric material disposed between the facing planar surfaces of the first and second helically wound segments, and between adjacent coils of the first and second helically wound segments, thereby forming a capacitance; wherein the wave filter has a primary resonance at a selected RF diagnostic or therapeutic frequency or frequency range.