Patent ID: 7467017

Claim:
An implantable lead comprising: a) an elongated lead body having opposed proximal and distal end portions; b) a connector assembly operatively associated with the proximal end portion of the lead body for interacting with an energy-generating device; c) at least one defibrillation assembly operatively associated with the distal end portion of the lead body for delivering electrical energy to cardiac tissue, and including: i) a plurality of axially spaced apart conductive hull assemblies at least partially surrounding the elongated lead body; and ii) a helically wound shocking coil extending over the axially spaced apart hull assemblies so that a series of annular void regions are defined by the shocking coil, the lead body, and adjacent hull assemblies, the annular void regions allowing the shocking coil to articulate and thereby inhibiting buckling of the shocking coil; and d) a conductor assembly extending through the lead body that electrically connects the connector assembly to the defibrillation assembly.