Patent ID: 7058454

Claim:
A lead assembly for a body implantable medical system adapted to transmit electrical signals between a proximal end portion of the lead assembly and a distal end portion of the lead assembly to thereby stimulate selected body tissue, the lead assembly having a longitudinal axis and comprising: an electrical conductor extending between a proximal end and a distal end; an insulative sheath covering the conductor; an electrical connector coupled to the proximal end of the conductor for releasable attachment to a stimulating pulse generator; and a distal electrode coupled to the distal end of the conductor and having an outer surface exposed through the exterior of the insulative sheath generally coaxial with the lead assembly and generally facing in directions transverse of the longitudinal axis of the lead assembly and generally parallel to the selected body tissue for directing a concentrated electrical charge toward the selected body tissue for the stimulation thereof; wherein the outer surface has first and second longitudinally spaced cylindrical regions separated by an intermediate annular groove to enhance tissue ingrowth and to create an environment of concentrated electrical charge directed at the selected body tissue; and wherein the first and second longitudinally spaced cylindrical regions converge with the intermediate annular groove at proximal and distal annular edges having substantially small radii to create a concentrated electrical charge at the selected body tissue.