Patent ID: 8600519

Claim:
An implantable lead configured to be disposed within a living body, the implantable lead comprising: a) a first, lead wire portion extending from a first lead wire portion proximal end to a first lead wire portion distal end and a second lead wire portion extending from a second lead wire portion proximal end to a second lead wire portion distal end, wherein the first lead wire portion proximal end is electrically connectable to a medical device; b) an electronic circuit comprising a circuit first end and a circuit second end, wherein the circuit first end is electrically connected to the first lead wire portion distal end at a first node and the circuit second end is electrically connected to the second wire portion proximal end at a second node to thereby electrically connect the electronic circuit in series with the first and second lead wire portions; and c) a first transient voltage suppressor electrically connected in parallel with the electronic circuit, wherein the first transient voltage suppressor comprises: i) a first unidirectional diode having first P and N ends and a second unidirectional diode having second P and N ends, ii) wherein the P end of the first diode is electrically connected at the first node to the N end of the second diode and to the electronic circuit first end, and iii) wherein the N end of the first diode is electrically connected at the second node to the P end of the second diode and to the electronic circuit second end to thereby provide the first and second diodes in parallel with each other and in parallel with the electronic circuit, and iv) wherein the first transient voltage suppressor comprising the first and second unidirectional diodes is a permanently active circuit.