Patent ID: 8326437

Claim:
A medical device comprising: an implantable lead having a length, a distal end, a proximal end, an outer surface and a longitudinal axis; and a tubular cover wherein said tubular cover is positioned over a substantial portion of the outer surface of the implantable lead, the tubular cover comprising at least one axial location including means of permitting circumferential tearing of the tubular cover, the tubular cover being physically coupled to the implantable lead at a location distal to each of the at least one axial location including means for permitting the circumferential tearing of the tubular cover; and wherein said tubular cover is configured to tear and evert upon application of a longitudinal force effective to cause the implantable lead to move in a proximal direction during removal of said implantable lead from anatomy, wherein upon eversion said tubular cover folds into itself.