Patent ID: 7603178

Claim:
A paddle lead for implantation within the body of a patient for delivering therapeutic electrical stimulation energy to target spinal cord tissue of the patient, the paddle lead comprising: a stimulation paddle including a first insulative material; a plurality of electrode contacts disposed on a first side of the stimulation paddle of the paddle lead, the plurality of electrode contacts being adapted to allow the stimulation paddle to flex transversely about a longitudinal axis of the stimulation paddle; a plurality of grooves disposed on a second side of the stimulation paddle opposite to the first side, the plurality of grooves disposed substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis, the plurality of grooves running along a substantial portion of a length of the stimulation paddle; at least one of the plurality of grooves including a segment of a second insulative material with the second insulative material being of reduced durometer relative to the first insulative material of the stimulation paddle; a plurality of conductors for conducting electrical energy to the plurality of electrode contacts; wherein the plurality of electrode contacts are arranged in at least first, second, and third rows that are disposed perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the stimulation paddle; the first and third rows respectively having multiple electrode contacts electrically coupled to different conductors of the plurality of conductors to enable the multiple electrode contacts of the first and third rows to function in independent cathode states, anode states, or high-impedance states; the second row being disposed between the first and third rows, the second row having multiple electrode contacts each electrically coupled to a common conductor of the plurality of conductors to cause the multiple electrode contacts of the second row to function in a common cathode state, anode state, or high-impedance state.