An extendable medical lead comprises a lead body and a sheath defining a
cavity that encloses a length of the lead body. The length of the lead
body enclosed within the sheath may be coiled or otherwise gathered such
that when extended, the length of the enclosed section of the lead body
is greater than the length of the sheath. The sheath may include a seal
to help prevent contaminant entry into the cavity in order to help reduce
tissue in growth around the length of the lead body disposed within the
sheath. A portion of the length of the lead body enclosed within the
sheath exits the cavity through an aperture defined by the seal when a
tensile force is applied to the lead body.