Patent ID: 7672736

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 a reinforcing sleeve disposed around the sheath such that the sleeve surrounds at least a portion of the inserted core member, the sleeve being crimped around the sheath and the core member to enhance the structural rigidity of the distal portion and disperse stress longitudinally along the distal portion, wherein the at least one conductor is disposed exteriorly to the reinforcing sleeve that is crimped.