Patent ID: 7328071

Claim:
An implantable lead assembly comprising: an introducer handle having a longitudinal axis; an elongated tubular outer sheath of flexible resilient material having a longitudinal axis fixed to the introducer handle generally aligned with the longitudinal axis thereof and extending between proximal and distal ends, the outer sheath having a rigid section distant from the distal end and a deflectable section adjacent the distal end, enabling the deflectable section adjacent the distal end to deflect from a first position aligned with the longitudinal axis to a plurality of second positions in orientations transverse of the longitudinal axis; at least one elongated steering member embedded in the outer sheath and extending between a proximal end at the introducer handle and a distal end at the distal end of the outer sheath; an operative member mounted on the introducer handle for movement between a first position and any one of a plurality of second positions, the operative member attached to the proximal end of the steering member such that when in the first position, the distal end of the outer sheath is in the first position and when in one of the plurality of second positions, the distal end of the outer sheath is in an associated one of the plurality of the second positions; an inner tubular sheath of flexible resilient material slidably received within the outer sheath extending between proximal and distal ends; a knob fixed to the proximal end of the inner sheath; a driving socket fixed to the distal end of the inner sheath; a lead extending between proximal and distal ends slidably received within the inner tubular sheath, the lead having a helix tip electrode at the distal end; and a driven socket fixed to the distal end of the lead and positioned for releasable mating engagement by the driving socket; wherein with engagement of the driven socket by the driving socket and movement of the knob and inner sheath in the distal direction, the helix tip electrode for the lead can be advanced to the selected body tissue for stimulation thereof; and wherein rotation of the knob rotates the inner sheath, the driving socket, and the driven socket such that the helix tip electrode rotatable engages with the selected body tissue.