Patent ID: 7146222

Claim:
A reinforced medical electrical lead adapted to be at least partially implanted in a human patient, the lead comprising: a proximal portion having a lead connection area; a distal portion having at least one electrode; at least one conductor providing communication between the at least one electrode and the lead connection area; a reinforcing member constructed to enhance the rigidity of the lead; and a body interconnecting the proximal portion and the distal portion, wherein the at least one conductor is disposed between the reinforcing member and the body, wherein the reinforcing member is a stiffening sheath disposed at the distal portion and the distal portion further includes a core member at least partially inserted into a lumen defined by the sheath, with the core member being coupled to the sheath, and wherein the at least one electrode surrounds the core member and is separate therefrom, wherein the reinforcing member includes a stiffening sheath disposed at the proximal portion and the proximal portion further includes a bushing disposed at a proximal end, a proximal end of the sheath being coupled to one end of the bushing, the bushing having a bore formed therein and the sheath defining an inner lumen which is axially aligned with the bore for providing stylet access along a longitudinal length of the lead, wherein the lead connection area comprises a plurality of circumferential lead connection terminals, at least one of the lead connection terminals being disposed around the bushing, wherein a proximal reinforcing element is disposed between the at least one lead connection terminal and the bushing, the proximal reinforcing element being fabricated from a reinforcing fiber structure.