Patent ID: 6871091

Claim:
An electrical lead, comprising: an elongate body having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion; a first electrode joined to the distal end portion of the elongate body; a first conductor extending within the elongate body between the proximal end portion and the distal end portion and being electrically coupled to the first electrode; a second electrode disposed adjacent the first electrode and joined to the elongate body; a second conductor extending within the elongate body between the proximal end portion and the distal end portion and being electrically coupled to the second electrode; and a capacitive device electrically coupling the first conductor to the second electrode within the elongate body; wherein the first electrode serves as a cathode and the second electrode serves as an anode for bipolar pacing and sensing of body tissue; and the capacitive device has an electrical impedance substantially less than an electrical impedance of the body tissue at signal frequencies associated with MRI and diathermy and has an electrical impedance substantially greater than an electrical impedance of the body tissue at signal frequencies used for pacing and sensing.