Patent ID: 8442650

Claim:
A medical electrical lead comprising: a lead body that comprises a length between proximal end and a distal end, wherein the lead body defines a longitudinal axis extending between the proximal end and the distal end; a conductive element located within an interior of the lead body and extending along the longitudinal axis for at least a portion of the length of the lead body; a tubular electrode sub-assembly positioned over a portion of the lead body such that the longitudinal axis extends through the tubular electrode sub-assembly, wherein the tubular electrode sub-assembly comprises: an organic polymeric tubular liner comprising an outer surface and a continuous, uninterrupted inner surface that extends from between a proximal end and distal end of the tubular liner, and an electrode located over the outer surface of the polymeric tubular liner, wherein an inner surface of the electrode contacts the outer surface of the tubular liner; interstitial liner material located on the outer surface of the tubular liner in interstices of the electrode; wherein at least a portion of an outer surface of the electrode comprises an exposed outer surface proximate an outer surface of the tubular electrode sub-assembly between the interstitial liner material; one or more selected attachment sites at which the tubular electrode sub-assembly is positioned over and attached to underlying structure of the lead body, wherein the one or more selected attachment sites occupy only a portion of the inner surface of the tubular liner; and an electrical connection within the medical electrode lead between the coiled electrode and the conductive element.