US Patent 8010207 Implantable medical lead designs

The invention is directed to medical leads for use with implantable medical devices. Various features of medical leads are described, many of which may be useful in a variety of different leads, e.g., used in a variety of different applications. In one embodiment, the invention provides a medical lead of varying stiffness characteristics. In another embodiment, the invention provides a medical lead having a semi-conical shaped distal tip that becomes wider at more distal tip locations. In either case, described lead features may be particularly useful for J-shaped lead configurations used for implantation in a patient's right atrium. Many other types of leads, however, could also benefit from various aspects of the invention.