Patent ID: 7890174

Claim:
An implantable system comprising: a pulse generator; and a lead having a proximal end coupled to the pulse generator, the lead configured to be partially implanted in a cardiac vessel and including: an elongate lead body defining a proximal region and a distal region and including an outer insulating sheath, the distal region including an electrode on the body, a deflection location on the body in which a portion of the outer insulating sheath has been removed to form the deflection location, and a deflectable region having a tissue-engaging outer surface; and a tendon disposed at least partially within the body and attached to the body under tension at a first attachment location distal to the deflectable region, wherein the lead is configured such that tension in the tendon maintains the deflectable region in a deflected shape in which the tissue-engaging outer surface can frictionally engage an inner wall of the cardiac vessel.